With busier lives and changing lifestyles, health can take a backseat. Consumption of an unhealthy diet, especially fast food, a sedentary lifestyle from a desk job, stress, smoking, and alcohol consumption all contribute to a condition called fatty liver disease. The liver is the biggest organ in the human body, responsible for blood filtering, detoxification, and energy storage and regulation. The fat from the food we consume is broken down in the liver. But what if these fats accumulate? An excess fat buildup in the liver causes a fatty liver, known as hepatic steatosis. Sometimes, our unhealthy lifestyles can lead to such consequences. With fatty liver disease, the liver’s important functions come to a standstill; over time, the fat buildup can lead to organ damage. It is thus important to take care of our bodies by maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
When the accumulated fat in the liver weighs more than 5-10% of the organ, it is considered a liver disease. Often, the symptoms of a fatty liver are unrecognizable. That is why regular health checkups are necessary. Nowadays, telemedicine service is also becoming common, through which you can get instant health assessments. But let us learn to recognize the subtle fatty liver symptoms through this comprehensive blog. You will also gain an understanding of how this condition can be treated. Let’s dive in!
H2 What are the symptoms of fatty liver disease?
H3 Yellow eyes and Skin (jaundice)
Due to fatty liver disease, the liver stops processing bilirubin (yellow pigment in the blood). When there is a bilirubin buildup, also known as jaundice, it results in the yellowing of the eyes. This is one of the primary fatty liver symptoms.
H3 Bruising
Another one of the fatty liver symptoms is bruising. The liver produces clotting factors. In fatty liver disease, this function is disrupted causing bruising. It can also cause prolonged bleeding after seemingly minor injuries.
H3 Dark Urine
Dark urine is another one of the fatty liver symptoms as when the liver dysfunctions and bilirubin isn’t properly processed, it can be excreted in the urine which gives it a dark yellow color.
H3 Swollen Tummy
An enlarged liver is caused due to fat buildup. This can also cause abdominal swelling, discomfort or tiredness and pain in the upper right side of the abdomen. This gives the appearance of a swollen tummy.
H3 Vomiting Blood
Vomiting blood is a more advanced symptom of fatty liver disease. When the disease has reached an advanced stage, there is a development of varices, which are swollen blood vessels in the esophagus or stomach. As and when this ruptures due to added pressure, it can result in vomiting of blood.
H3 Black Stools
Another one of the advanced fatty liver symptoms is the appearance of black stools. This occurs due to bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract.
H3 Itchy Skin
In fatty liver disease, there is a buildup of bile salts in the bloodstream. This can lead to itchy skin in the hands and feet.
H2 Types Of Fatty Liver Disease
H3 Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is the most common type of liver disease. In India, 32% of the population suffers from this common liver disease. This type of liver disease is caused when there is a fat buildup due to obesity and type 2 diabetes.
H3 Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH)
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis is an advanced form of nonalcoholic liver disease. In this type of liver disease, along with the accumulation of fat, there is inflammation or swelling in and around the fatty liver cells. This can cause liver cell damage and, in the later stages, fibrosis, i.e., the thickening of the liver tissue, or cirrhosis, liver cancer.
H3 Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (AFLD)
As the name suggests, alcoholic fatty liver disease is caused by excessive alcohol consumption that leads to fat accumulation.
H2 How is fatty liver disease diagnosed?
First of all, for diagnosis, the patient’s medical history is taken into consideration. Fatty liver disease is usually diagnosed through diagnostic tests such as a blood test. An ultrasound, MRI or CT scan is also used to visualize the accumulated fat in the liver. In severe cases, a biopsy is also used. All these are the ways in which the degree of liver damage can be diagnosed.
H2 Fatty Liver Disease Treatment
Fatty liver treatment methods are:
H3 Lose Weight or Weight Loss Surgery: The first fatty liver treatment is to lose weight by making dietary modifications or by having weight loss surgery in case of severe obesity.
H3 Cutting Down Alcohol: Completely eliminating alcohol is necessary for alcoholic fatty liver treatment. This can help reverse the disease. Getting help from doctors to keep the withdrawal symptoms in check can help in overcoming alcohol consumption.
H3 Regular Exercise: Staying active every day can help you lose weight. Regular exercise can get a lot of things under control.
Conclusion
Fatty liver disease is common and can be properly managed for it to stop progressing to more advanced stages. As suggested in the blog, for fatty liver treatment, if one takes proactive steps to improve their lifestyle, changes can be observed, and optimal liver health can be achieved.
FAQs
- What is fatty liver disease?
Fatty liver disease is when fats accumulate in the liver, causing inflammation and scarring. This can damage the liver cells and cause impaired functioning.
2 . What is alcoholic fatty liver disease?
Alcoholic fatty liver disease is a liver disease that is caused due to the excessive consumption of alcohol.
- Who is at risk for fatty liver disease?
People who are obese, have diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol are all at risk for fatty liver disease. Additionally, people who consume alcohol are also at risk of developing liver disease.
- How is fatty liver disease diagnosed?
Fatty liver disease is diagnosed through blood tests, physical examinations, imaging studies like MRI or CT scan, and, in the later stages, a biopsy. Medical history is also looked into for diagnosis.