fazTimes media: Your liver might not be something you think about every day, but maybe you should. Recently, there has been a big increase in liver-related health issues around the world, including in India, especially among young people. Unhealthy eating habits, not moving much, drinking too much alcohol, and even harmful substances in the environment have all contributed. However, top doctors say that finding liver disease early can make a big difference. The liver is located on the right side of your belly and does more than 500 important things for your body. It helps get rid of harmful stuff, makes bile to help break down fats, keeps vitamins and minerals safe, and helps control blood sugar. Without a healthy liver, your body can’t work properly, but many people don’t know there’s a problem until it’s too late.

That’s why Dr. Saurab Sethi, a well-known doctor who treats stomach and cancer issues, recently shared three important early signs of liver disease that people often miss—and why ignoring them can be dangerous.

Yellowing of the skin or eyes, known as jaundice, is a clear sign that something might be wrong with the liver. This happens when the liver can't properly process bilirubin, which is a yellow substance that forms when red blood cells break down.

Yellowing of the Skin or Eyes (Jaundice)

Dr. Sethi says, “The yellow color is especially noticeable in sunlight. If your skin or eyes suddenly look yellow, don’t ignore it. It could be a sign of hepatitis or liver failure.”

Jaundice can be caused by several issues, like hepatitis A, B, or C, alcoholic liver disease, or blocked bile ducts.

No matter what the cause is, jaundice is a serious symptom that needs medical attention right away.

Sometimes, people think belly fat comes from eating too much or not exercising enough. But in some cases, it could be a sign of a bigger problem. One such issue is fatty liver disease, especially non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which is getting more common even in people who don’t drink alcohol.

Sudden Belly Fat or Bloating

Dr. Sethi says, “If your belly starts getting bigger without any changes in your eating habits or lifestyle, you should worry.” A swollen stomach or a feeling of bloating might indicate that your body is retaining extra fluid (called ascites) or that there is an excess of fat around the liver, which can signal potential liver damage.

The Lancet reports that NAFLD now affects more than 25% of the urban population in India, and it's also becoming more common among teenagers and kids.

Pain in the Upper Right Abdomen

The liver doesn’t have pain sensors, so it doesn’t hurt on its own. But if it gets swollen because of inflammation or infection, it can stretch the nearby tissues, causing a dull or sharp ache in the upper right part of the stomach, right below the ribcage.

Dr. Sethi says, “This kind of pain shouldn’t be ignored as just a stomachache or muscle soreness. It could be a sign of a bigger issue, like a swollen liver or problems such as hepatitis or liver cysts.” Even though stomach pain is common and can come from many things, if the pain keeps coming back or is ongoing in that specific area, it’s a good idea to see a doctor.

According to BBC News, liver disease is now among the top 10 causes of death worldwide, and it's becoming more common in younger people, especially in countries like India.

Prevention Is Better Than a Cure

Despite the seriousness of liver disease, you can often prevent it by implementing simple lifestyle changes. Avoid taking too many painkillers: Using too much of medicines like paracetamol can harm your liver.

Get vaccinated, especially for Hepatitis A and B. Keep a healthy weight: Being overweight is a big reason for a condition called NAFLD.

Public health and awareness are still lagging.

Despite the increasing risk, many people, particularly in rural areas, remain insufficiently aware of liver health.

A report from Al Jazeera shows that most people don’t get their liver checked until they start showing serious symptoms, and by that time, the damage might already be too severe to fix.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has recently suggested that routine liver health checkups should be part of regular health programs, especially for people over 30 and those who have other health issues like diabetes or high blood pressure.

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