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Warning-sign checks

Enlarged liver: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Get emergency help for:

    • Vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
    • Black, tar-like stools
    • New confusion, extreme drowsiness, or difficulty waking
    • Fainting or severe weakness
    • Sudden, severe abdominal pain
    • Serious breathing difficulty
    • A very swollen, painful abdomen with fever

    These symptoms can indicate bleeding, severe infection, acute liver problems, or complications of heart or circulation disease.

    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Seek prompt medical care if you develop new jaundice, dark urine with pale stools, fever with upper abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, or rapidly increasing swelling.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Arrange a routine medical appointment if you have ongoing fullness or discomfort under the right ribs, unexplained fatigue, loss of appetite, or abdominal swelling.

    You should also follow up if an imaging report says your liver is enlarged, even if it was found by chance.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Enlarged liver. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.