Polycystic liver disease (PLD), is an inherited disorder thought to affect less than 1 in 10,000 individuals. There are two types of PLD: polycystic liver disease in isolation and autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), which represents around 80 – 90% of all polycystic liver diagnoses. PLD is characterized by the growth of cysts in the liver, whereas those with ADPKD have cysts in their liver and kidneys. People typically start experiencing symptoms in their early 30s and the cysts tend to increase and get larger with age. However, some individuals don’t experience any symptoms. Let’s take a look at several signs of polycystic liver disease that you should be aware of.
Abdominal Pain
As cysts grow larger, the liver expands, which leads to pain and discomfort in the abdominal region. This is due to the expanded liver pressing against the surrounding tissue and organs. In very severe cases, the liver can potentially triple in size, leading to intense pain. Various complications, including infection, ruptures, and hemorrhaging cysts can further exacerbate this pain. People also often experience a sensation of bloating, making it hard to wear tight clothing. However, while there may often be many cysts, the liver very often continues to function as it usually would.
Shortness of Breath
When the liver expands due to the enlarged cysts, it can sometimes press against the lungs and diaphragm. This can result in respiratory issues, such as feeling breathless, particularly when physically active or lying down. This is because the lungs cannot fully expand due to the mechanical compression being exerted upon them. Shortness of breath is more prevalent among those with significantly enlarged livers.
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Fatigue
Another one of the signs of polycystic liver disease is feeling constantly fatigued. This is caused by the physical burden of having an enlarged liver. This feeling is often exacerbated by other symptoms, including a reduced appetite, nutritional deficiencies, and general discomfort. Other contributing factors are the strain the body takes trying to manage the enlarged organ as well as its impact on metabolism. The psychological impact of battling a chronic condition can also intensify fatigue.
Feeling Full
When the liver is enlarged by the presence of cysts, it presses against the stomach, reducing its capacity. This can potentially result in the individual feeling full after only eating a small amount of food. The pressure exerted upon the stomach can also decrease appetite and interrupt digestive processes. Additionally, the decreased intake of food can result in unintentional weight loss. Inadequate nutrition may subsequently lead to a decline in health due to deficiencies. It is important that you monitor your nutritional status and implement the necessary dietary interventions if you notice any unintentional weight loss.
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Acid Reflux
When the enlarged liver exerts pressure on the esophagus and stomach, it can result in GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). This condition makes the stomach acids flow back into the esophagus, which causes great discomfort and heartburn. The normal function of the lower esophageal sphincter is disrupted by mechanical compression, causing acid reflux. The esophageal lining may become inflamed and damaged if it develops into chronic acid reflux and is not treated.
Nausea
Feelings of nausea can often be experienced due to the liver’s physical expansion. As with many of the other signs of polycystic liver disease, this is due to the liver pressing against various digestive organs, such as the stomach. This pressure interrupts the usual digestive processes. These feelings of nausea can further be intensified by various complications, including ruptures or cyst infections. People experiencing persistent nausea often lose their appetites, leading to inadequate nutritional intake.
Ascites
Ascites is a condition in which fluids accumulate in the abdominal cavity. This can potentially occur when blood vessels in the liver are compressed by cysts. This results in increased pressure and the leakage of fluids, causing great discomfort, swelling, and impaired mobility. The build-up of fluids is caused by increased venous pressure and a disruption of the blood flow. In particularly severe cases, medical intervention may be required to remove all of the excess fluid present.
Jaundice
One of the rare signs of polycystic liver disease is jaundice. In these cases, the enlarged cysts press against the bile ducts, compressing them. When the normal flow of the bloodstream is interrupted, it causes a bile pigment known as bilirubin to build up in the stream. This results in a yellowing of the eyes and skin known as jaundice. The accompanying symptoms often include itching, pale stools, and dark-colored urine. Developing jaundice when suffering from this condition indicates significant bile excretion interference and typically requires medical attention.
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