SILENT THREAT! These 8 Signs Could Indicate Fatty Liver Disease!

By rjoachim | June 15, 2024
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): This is the most common type, affecting people who drink little to no alcohol. It’s often linked to factors like obesity, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome. NAFLD can range from simple fatty liver, where there’s fat buildup but minimal damage, to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). In NASH, there’s inflammation and liver cell damage along with fat, which can lead to scarring (fibrosis) and potentially cirrhosis (severe scarring) over time.
Alcoholic fatty liver disease: This is caused by heavy alcohol consumption. Similar to NAFLD, it can progress from simple fatty liver to steatohepatitis with inflammation and potential long-term complications.
Symptoms:
Fatty liver disease often has no symptoms in its early stages. In some cases, with advanced NASH, people may experience fatigue, weakness, weight loss, upper right abdominal pain, or yellowing of the skin and eyes.
Causes (NAFLD):
The exact cause of NAFLD is unknown, but risk factors include:
Obesity or overweight
Insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes
Metabolic syndrome (combination of factors including high blood pressure, high blood sugar, unhealthy cholesterol levels)
Genetics
Certain medications
Prevention and Treatment:
There’s no specific medication for NAFLD, but lifestyle changes can significantly improve the condition and prevent complications. These include:
Maintaining a healthy weight through diet and exercise
Eating a balanced diet low in saturated fat, sugar, and refined carbohydrates
Increasing physical activity
Managing diabetes or prediabetes
Limiting alcohol intake or quitting altogether
If you have concerns about fatty liver disease, talk to your doctor. Early detection and intervention are key to managing the condition and preventing serious complications.
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