The 7 subtle signs something could be wrong with your liver after Michelle Trachtenberg dies aged 39
GOSSIP Girl star Michelle Trachtenberg has passed away at the age of just 39, months after undergoing a liver transplant.
The actress – also known for her role in Buffy the Vampire Slayer – was found on Wednesday in her New York City apartment and is believed to have died of “natural causes”, according to police.
ABC News reported that Michelle had had a liver transplant in the last year and may have been experiencing complications from it.
Her body may have even rejected the new liver, TMZ reported citing law enforcement sources.
The star was confirmed dead after emergency medical services arrived at her home near Central Park in New York, following a call at about 8am on Wednesday, the city’s police department said.
Her death is not being treated as suspicious, with police saying the medical examiner will determine the cause of her death.
Michelle’s rep told TMZ: “It is with great sadness to confirm that Michelle Trachtenberg has passed away.”
“The family requests privacy for their loss. There are no further details at this time.”
It’s unclear why Michelle underwent the transplant, but sources told TMZ that the actress may had been battling alcohol issues.
Michelle sparked concern her health in recent pictures posted to her Instagram, where a yellow tinge to her eyes and skin was visible.
This is called jaundice and it’s caused by a substance called bilirubin building up in the body.
Alcohol-related liver disease can be a possible reason for jaundice, though it can also be caused by gallstones, hepatitis or pancreatitis.
Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes can be a telltale sign liver disease its later stages.
But the disease usually develops slowly and over many years, so initial signs tend to be much more subtle.
In fact, most people with liver disease won’t experience any symptoms until it has progressed.
Possible early symptoms may include:
- Feeling generally unwell
- Feeling tired all the time, even when you have rested
- Feeling or being sick
- Pain or a sore feeling under your ribs on your right side
- Small spider like veins showing on your skin above waist level (spider angiomas)
- Blotchy red palms
- Trouble sleeping
But the British Liver Trust notes that it’s not possible to tell just from symptoms alone whether or not your liver is healthy.
It’s very likely that these vague symptoms could be caused by something else, but if you’re worried about your liver you should speak to your doctor.
Anyone can develop liver disease, but alcohol tends to be the biggest cause of it in the UK.
Many people think that you have to be an alcoholic to develop liver disease, but this is a myth, according to the British Liver Trust.
Regularly drinking over the recommended limit – the NHS suggests no more than 14 unites a week – increases the risk of developing liver disease and liver cancer.
When booze is broken-down by the liver, it produces harmful chemicals that can damage and kill liver cells.
Although the liver is very good at repairing itself, it can’t keep up with the damage from regularly drinking too much alcohol, which can cause scarring that builds up and leads to cirrhosis.
How to reduce risk of liver disease
The 3 main causes of liver disease are:
- Obesity
- An undiagnosed hepatitis infection
- Alcohol misuse
You can reduce your risk of many types of liver disease with some simple lifestyle changes such as:
- Trying to maintain a healthy weight
- Not drinking too much alcohol
Vaccines are available for hepatitis A and hepatitis B.
These are recommended if you’re at risk.
Source: NHS
To lower your risk of liver disease, stick to recommended amounts, spread your drinking out over several days rather than bingeing and have at least two or three alcohol-free days a week.
Genetic and autoimmune diseases, as well as being overweight, can up your risk of suffering from liver disease too.
As the disease progresses, it can cause a number of different symptoms across the whole of your body.
Sufferers may experience nose bleeds or bleeding gums, as well as forgetfulness, confusion or memory loss.
They may also begin to see signs of jaundice, itchy skin and bruising easily.
Periods might stop or become irregular and people may lose interest in sex too.
Red flag symptoms of liver disease
If you develop any of these symptoms you should go to A&E or call 999 straight away.
They might not be caused by liver cirrhosis. But it is important to get checked out and looked after.
- Vomiting blood
- Feeling like you cannot get enough air when you breathe
- Very dark black or tar-like poo
- Feeling unusually confused or finding it hard to stay awake
- Jaundice if you have not had this before
Source: British Liver Trust
Meanwhile, patients may also experience muscle cramps and swelling in the legs, ankles or feet.
Their toilet habits may see a change too.
Dark coloured pee and pale, putty, coloured poo are telltale signs of late stage liver disease.
The British Liver Trust notes: “Your liver has around 500 different jobs.
“In the later stages of liver disease it struggles to do all of these normally.
“This can cause lots of different symptoms. But most people only get some of these symptoms, so the mix of symptoms is different for everyone.”
In the UK there are more than 11,000 deaths due to liver disease each year.
There has been a four-fold increase in death rates over the last 50 years.
But liver damage can often be repaired if it’s spotted early.
If you think you might be at risk of liver disease, speak to your GP.