Do You Have Fatty Liver? Recognize The Symptoms

An unhealthy lifestyle, being overweight or not eating right are all factors that can lead to fatty liver. Experts say that this is one of the most common diseases of our time, but fortunately this disease is reversible. By following certain guidelines we can remove excess fat from the liver.

We will explain more about this today in this article. Let’s take a look at the most common symptoms so you can take action faster. And remember that you should always contact your doctor if you are concerned about certain complaints.

Your health always comes first!

What is fatty liver? What causes it?

In medicine, fatty liver is called steatosis. First of all, we want to point out that this is a harmless disease, but if you don’t treat it properly, it can develop into a more serious disease in the long run.

In general, fatty acids and triglycerides that accumulate in the liver cause the disease. The liver is ‘turned off’ and can no longer perform its metabolic functions or cleanse toxins as effectively as before.

You should also know that when an excess amount of fat builds up in the liver, the liver suffers minor injuries that it tries to heal. Over time, scar tissue begins to accumulate, resulting in cirrhosis.

Doctors tell us that all our livers contain fat. One speaks of steatosis when the amount of fat is more than 10%.

This condition can be detected in the blood due to the presence of harmful components that could not be properly processed by the liver, not to mention the presence of other symptoms such as inflammation and discomfort.

What causes fatty liver?

Many people directly associate fatty liver with alcohol or other harmful habits, but this is not always the case. There are other risk factors worth remembering:

• Overweight or obesity.
• Hereditary metabolic disorders.
• The risk of fatty liver is greater after age 50, especially if a poor diet is followed.

• Abusing certain medications, such as anti-inflammatories, pain relievers, aspirin, tamoxifen, and steroids.
• Watch your triglycerides closely. Not controlling your bad cholesterol can lead to fatty liver.
• Type II diabetes is another common cause.

How do I know if I have fatty liver?

Many symptoms can be confused with other conditions. However, if you notice that these symptoms last for more than a few weeks or you feel like you can no longer live a normal life and the symptoms are interfering with your appetite and performance at work, you should contact your doctor.

Fatigue

One of the most noticeable signs of fatty liver or other liver disease is very obvious fatigue. This is especially noticeable in the morning when you struggle to get up and find the energy to start the day. Fatigue may also be more apparent after meals.

Discomfort

When there is an excess amount of fat in the liver, it causes inflammation and an enlarged liver. Pain in the abdomen is accompanied by a characteristic discomfort under the ribs, which radiates to the back. This pressure evolves into a kind of burning pain that feels like a hot plate.

Lack of appetite

Fatty liver causes a general discomfort leading to a loss of appetite and digestion becomes slow, heavy and even painful. This causes an alarming weight loss.

The risk of cirrhosis

As we mentioned before, an excess amount of fat on the liver leads to the kinds of injuries and scars that cause cirrhosis. If left untreated, jaundice will develop, giving our skin and eyes a yellowish appearance.

Another important symptom to watch out for is swelling of the body, legs and face. Cause? The liver can no longer properly synthesize proteins and the body makes up for this lack by retaining water.

To conclude, we would like to mention that the presence of an excess amount of fat in the liver is a health risk that can lead to more serious problems if not treated properly. Pay close attention to these symptoms and contact your doctor if necessary.