Fatty liver disease happens when too much fat builds up in the cells of the liver. It could have a big effect on your health as a whole. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD) are the two main types. Alcoholic fatty liver can happen if you drink too much. High cholesterol, diabetes, and being overweight are all linked to NAFLD.
Understanding Fatty Liver Disease
If the liver stores too much fat, it could lead to fatty liver disease. This extra fat could hurt the cells in the liver. It’s harder for the body to use nutrients and get rid of waste. Some things that raise your risk are being overweight, having type 2 diabetes, or drinking too much alcohol.
There are different kinds of the disease, from simple steatosis to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). It is worse because NASH hurts and swells up the liver. If you don’t do anything about it, it could get worse and cause liver failure. When doctors know how this mechanism works, they can treat and stop the illness more quickly.
Symptoms Of Fatty Liver Disease To Watch For
Unexplained Fatigue And Weakness
People with fatty liver disease often feel tired. When the liver is hurt, people have less energy because it is an important part of making energy. Patients may feel tired and weak for no reason, even if they get enough rest. They have a hard time with daily tasks because they are always tired.
When the liver isn’t working right, toxins build up and hurt the body as a whole. People who have fatty liver disease take a while to get over being tired. It keeps happening and gets worse over time. Because of this, it is very important to keep a close eye on changes in energy levels.
Abdominal Discomfort Or Pain
A lot of people who have fatty liver disease have pain in the upper right part of their abdomen. The pain is coming from the liver getting bigger and swelling up. It could feel sharp, painful, or dull. It hurts in the back or under the ribs most of the time. It could also get bigger up to the shoulder area. Stomach pain is very bad after eating fatty foods. If the pain doesn’t go away, you should see a doctor right away. Stomach pain that won’t go away could mean that there is a problem or that liver function is getting worse.
Unintentional Weight Loss Or Gain
Weight changes that can’t be explained could be a sign of liver disease. A decrease in appetite and better nutrition intake may lead to weight loss. On the other hand, some people gain weight. For this to happen, either the body is holding on to water, or digestion is changing. The body can’t use or store energy when the liver isn’t working. Weight shifts that happen by accident need to be fixed. They can mean that the illness is getting worse or that the liver is being hurt badly. Keeping track of changes in your weight can help you keep an eye on the health of your liver.
Jaundice (Yellowing Of Skin And Eyes)
People who have jaundice have yellow eyes and skin. It happens when the liver doesn’t break down bilirubin properly. Bilirubin is a yellow pigment that is made when red blood cells break down. When bilirubin builds up, it turns yellow, which means the liver is seriously hurt.
Along with jaundice, you might have other symptoms like pale stools and black urine. If yellow shows up, you should see a doctor right away. It usually means that liver disease or other problems are getting worse. Early detection may stop liver damage from getting worse.
Swelling In The Abdomen (Ascites)
People who have ascites have swollen abdomens because of too much fluid building up in the area. It means the liver is badly hurt. It’s harder for the liver to make proteins and keep fluid levels in check, so fluid leaks into the abdomen. The stomach might look like it’s getting bigger. In bad situations, it might not be easy to breathe or move. Most of the time, ascites are a sign of liver cancer that has spread. If help is given early on, it may ease pain and stop fluid buildup.
Swollen Legs And Ankles
Oedema in the legs and feet can happen when the body has too much water. This happens when the liver doesn’t make enough albumin and other proteins. Water gets into the tissues when there isn’t enough albumin. Grass makes it more likely that your lower body will swell. Pain or tightness may go along with swelling. It stands out more after standing for a long time or at the end of the day. Monitoring the buildup of fluid is important for avoiding problems and making it easier to move around.
Loss Of Appetite
People who have fatty liver disease might not want to eat. It makes it harder for the liver to break down food and take in nutrients. If you don’t want to eat, you might not get enough nutrients and lose weight. Some people might not be hungry or feel full right away. You shouldn’t ignore this sign, even if it’s small. If you fast for a long time, your body may get weaker and take longer to heal. For people with liver disease, eating well is very important.
Itchy Skin Or Rashes
Itchy skin is another sign that your liver isn’t working right. This problem happens when the body makes too many bile salts. But the liver normally gets rid of bile salts, and liver disease stops this from happening. Itchy skin can happen in one place or all over the body. Sometimes, it might get worse in some places or at night. Itching or rashes may happen when you scratch. The stomach problem that is making the skin itch needs to be fixed. Getting enough water may help for a short time.