How Hands Reveal Liver Damage: The liver silently performs hundreds of important functions in our body every day. Cleaning the blood, helping in digestion and keeping hormones balanced, all these responsibilities are on this organ. But when liver health starts deteriorating, it does not always give warning through severe symptoms. Many times its initial signs are very simple and people often ignore them. The surprising thing is that some important information related to liver can be hidden even in your hands.
Redness of the palms, itching of the skin, yellowing or weakening of the nails, or slight tremors in the fingers, all these can be early signs of diseases like fatty liver, hepatitis or cirrhosis. If these changes are identified in time, it is possible to avoid serious problems.
How do hands tell the condition of liver health?
According to doctors, hands are the mirror of our internal health. From the color of palms, texture of nails and movement of fingers, it can be estimated whether the liver is functioning properly or not. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hepatology According to a study published in, red palms and changes in nails may be associated with the progression of chronic liver disease. Its symptoms are like this-
numbness or tingling of fingers
If your fingers slowly start turning inward or you feel a stretch in your palm, it could be Dupuytren’s contracture. This problem occurs when the skin under the palm starts becoming thick and hard. This is seen more in chronic liver diseases like cirrhosis and in people who drink excessive alcohol.
white nails and pink line above
If the nails appear mostly white and have a light pink or red stripe at the tip, then these may be Terry’s nails. This change occurs due to disturbances in blood flow and protein levels in liver cirrhosis.
raised and rounded nails
The round and swollen appearance of nails and fingers is usually associated with lung or heart disease, but it can also be seen in long-standing liver disease. If this continues to happen then medical examination is necessary.
fluttering or trembling hands
If there are uncontrolled jerks or flutters when the hands are extended, it is called asterixis. This may be a sign of hepatic encephalopathy, a serious condition of advanced liver disease and requires immediate treatment.
Persistent itching in the palms and soles
Severe itching in the palms and soles of the feet without any rash can be a sign of bile accumulation. This problem may worsen at night or after bathing in hot water.
When is it necessary to visit a doctor?
If you notice changes in your hands like red palms, strange color of nails, tremors or constant itching, then do not ignore them. Serious damage to the liver can be prevented by timely testing.
Also read – What is elephantiasis, does it really cause the feet to become like elephants?
Disclaimer: This information is based on research studies and expert opinion. Do not consider this as a substitute for medical advice. Before adopting any new activity or exercise, consult your doctor or relevant specialist.
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