Nadja Abd el Farag suffered from liver cirrhosis – 5 symptoms of the disease

As "Bild" reports , Nadja Abd el Farag has died at the age of 60. The cause of death was organ failure. It was already revealed in 2017 that Dieter Bohlen's ex-girlfriend was suffering from liver cirrhosis. This can be caused by alcohol abuse, among other things.

Doctors speak of liver cirrhosis when the liver is severely scarred. Such a diseased liver can no longer perform important functions such as detoxification, digestion, and blood clotting. Furthermore, a scarred liver can no longer allow blood to flow freely, causing it to back up. In the long term, this can lead to organ failure. Brain disorders, internal bleeding, and liver cancer can also be consequences of liver cirrhosis.

A diseased liver doesn't initially cause pain. While this may sound beneficial, it can have fatal consequences. Many affected individuals only notice the disease when the organ is already severely damaged. Therefore, the following brief checks are important:

1. Toilet check: Is the urine brown?

Brown urine is a sign that the liver is no longer functioning properly. The cause can be a hepatitis virus infection or liver cirrhosis . The latter most commonly occurs due to excessive alcohol consumption or a chronic illness with hepatitis B, C, or D.

Both heavy alcohol consumption over several years and hepatitis viruses cause scarring of the liver tissue over time, thus limiting the organ's function. If left untreated, this can lead to fatal liver failure. Be careful, light, clay-colored stools can also indicate liver disease.

2. Fingernail check: Are the nails white and cloudy?

Various serious illnesses can change the shape or color of fingernails – including liver cirrhosis . This can manifest as whitish, cloudy fingernails . This is caused by changes in the blood vessels in the nail bed. Such "frosted nails" can also occur in cases of diabetes or heart failure.

3. Skin check: Do I have liver spider veins?

Spider nevi, also known as vascular spiders, are dilated blood vessels on the skin. A red vascular nodule forms, from which small blood vessels spread in a spider-like pattern. They can grow up to one centimeter in size and typically appear on the head, face, neck, hands, and chest. Spider nevi are a type of skin lesion and occur in chronic liver diseases such as fatty liver and cirrhosis.

4. Body check: Do I have bruises?

A damaged liver can lead to bruises on the skin. When the liver no longer produces enough blood clotting factors, bleeding into the tissue, i.e., bruises, can occur more easily. Nosebleeds can also occur more frequently.

Especially in cases of liver cirrhosis, blood pressure also increases in the portal vein, a vein that transports blood to the liver. The result: blood pools and forms varicose veins in the stomach and esophagus. If these rupture, dangerous internal bleeding occurs.

5. Upper body check: Do I have a big belly despite losing weight?

Loss of appetite can be a symptom of many illnesses, but also occurs in liver disease. Those affected lose weight. If liver disease has been present for a long time, despite weight loss, the abdomen may become enlarged due to fluid accumulating in the abdominal cavity.

In abdominal dropsy, medically known as ascites, fluid seeps from the surface of the liver and intestines into the abdominal cavity. This is often associated with liver cirrhosis caused by excessive alcohol consumption. Chronic hepatitis can also cause it.

The symptoms mentioned above can indicate a severely diseased liver, but they can also have other causes. If you notice one or more of these symptoms, consult your doctor. They can have your blood tested in a laboratory to determine the health of your liver.

Important: If none of these symptoms apply to you, it doesn't automatically mean your liver is completely healthy. These signs and symptoms often only appear when the disease is advanced. Liver disease often goes unnoticed in its early stages.

A healthy lifestyle also helps keep the liver healthy and prevent damage. The German Medical Association therefore recommends the following points to prevent liver disease:

• pay attention to a balanced and not too fatty diet
• Ensure sufficient exercise and physical activity - at least three hours of exercise per week
• If you're overweight, lose weight slowly. Avoid starvation diets and zero-calorie diets, as they place a heavy burden on the liver.
• Avoid alcohol, especially if the liver is already diseased
• get vaccinated against hepatitis A and hepatitis B