How Can Constipation Be Your First Sign Of Developing Liver Disease? Expert Explains

Constipation And Liver Disease: Constipation can often be an early sign of liver disease due to the liver's crucial role in digestion and toxin filtration. The liver produces bile, essential for breaking down fats and aiding in bowel movements. Conditions like liver cirrhosis impair bile production, leading to dry stools and infrequent bowel movements. Portal hypertension, a common complication of cirrhosis, may exacerbate this issue by affecting intestinal circulation. Additionally, medications for liver diseases and metabolic changes from conditions like non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) can disrupt gut motility, causing constipation.

In a conversation with Jagran English, Dr. Bipin Vibhute, Head of Liver & Multi-organ Transplant Department, Sahyadri Hospitals, Pune explained how constipation can be the first sign of developing liver disease. 

According to Dr Vibhute, the gut-liver axis, a vital connection between the digestive system and the liver, becomes imbalanced during liver dysfunction. This imbalance can alter gut bacteria and slow the digestive process. Chronic liver diseases, characterized by inflammation and scarring, often impair the liver's ability to filter toxins, further affecting gut motility. This slowdown may manifest as constipation, alongside symptoms such as fatigue, abdominal pain or jaundice. 

Interestingly, liver disorders are frequently linked to conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), as both involve overlapping symptoms, including constipation. Hormonal changes associated with liver diseases can also impact motilin levels, a hormone regulating gut movement, contributing to digestive irregularities. 

Supporting liver health through a diet rich in fibre, adequate hydration, and regular exercise can help manage constipation. The liver acts as a filter for the gut, and when this filter malfunctions, constipation and indigestion may emerge as early signs of liver disease. Timely medical attention and lifestyle changes can help reverse these symptoms and improve liver health.

ALSO READ: What Are The 6 Common Reasons That You Are Struggling To Poop? Know From An Expert

ALSO READ: Guillain-Barre Syndrome: Doctor Explains How GBS Can Cause Constipation And Bowel Dysfunction