Losing weight is usually a happy thing, but if you are inexplicably losing weight, you need to pay attention. This could be one of the early symptoms of liver cancer, according to traditional Chinese medicine. The cancer cells in the liver require a large amount of energy and nutrients to grow, which is why weight loss occurs. What are the other early symptoms and manifestations of liver cancer?
【3 Diseases That Cause Unexplained Weight Loss】
1. Diabetes
Patients have experienced a weight loss of 10 kilograms within two months, and after examination, it was confirmed to be Type 1 diabetes. The early symptoms of this type of diabetes are excessive eating, drinking, and urination, along with weight loss. Without enough insulin in the body, the glucose in the blood cannot be fully utilized, leading to rapid weight loss.
Normally, no one will lose weight without reason, especially losing more than 10 kilograms in a month. Even if you don't feel anything unusual, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible.
2. Hyperthyroidism
If your appetite hasn't changed and you haven't increased your physical activity, but you are still losing weight, it could be a sign of hyperthyroidism. Symptoms such as neck enlargement, palpitations, and insomnia may also occur.
3. Cancer
Cancer or malignant tumors are chronic wasting diseases. The energy and nutrient requirements of tumor cells during growth are much higher than those of normal body tissues. As the tumor grows, the energy consumption increases daily, leading to a loss of appetite and inadequate nutrition intake, resulting in weight loss. Therefore, if your weight is mysteriously decreasing, it is important to go to the hospital for a comprehensive examination.
【Early Symptoms and Manifestations of Liver Cancer】
1. Unexplained Fatigue and Weakness
In the early stages of liver cancer, patients often experience extreme fatigue, which is different from fatigue caused by other factors. The fatigue and weakness caused by liver cancer cannot be relieved or eliminated even with rest. This is mainly because the cancer cells damage the liver's storage function, reducing the fuel supply to the body. Additionally, the growing tumor disrupts digestion, leading to nutritional absorption disorders and insufficient energy.
2. Digestive Disorders
According to relevant data, about 40% of liver cancer patients experience varying degrees of digestive disorders in the early stages of the disease. These symptoms are often mistaken for stomach problems, delaying treatment. Common digestive symptoms of liver cancer include indigestion, nausea, and postprandial fullness, with decreased appetite and bloating being the most common.
Another common digestive disorder in liver cancer is diarrhea, which has been reported both domestically and internationally and has a high incidence rate. It is often mistaken for chronic enteritis.
3. Fever
Some liver cancer patients may experience low to moderate fever in the early stages, especially in hot summers. The body temperature can reach 37.5-38.5 degrees Celsius, and this fever can last for about 3-5 days. The fever in liver cancer is usually referred to as cancer fever, which is caused by the release of heat sources from necrotic tumor tissues into the bloodstream. In addition, tumor patients are prone to infections due to weakened immune systems, leading to fever.
4. Bleeding Tendency
In the early stages of liver cancer, some patients may experience bleeding tendencies such as gum bleeding and subcutaneous ecchymosis. This is mainly due to liver damage and abnormal coagulation function, especially in patients with liver cancer combined with cirrhosis.
5. Chest Tightness and Cough
The liver is adjacent to the pleura and diaphragm in our body. Therefore, the first areas attacked by liver cancer are the adjacent diaphragm and pleura, resulting in persistent and difficult-to-treat cough or chest tightness. Do not ignore these two symptoms.
6. Pain in the Liver Area
Usually, when there is pain in the liver area, it is likely to be in the middle to late stage of liver cancer. However, many early-stage patients have been diagnosed in a timely manner due to pain in the liver area. The pain in the liver area is usually located on the right side of the ribs or below the xiphoid process, and it can be intermittent or persistent dull pain.
