Have you felt more fatigued than normal? Or perhaps you have had the pain in your upper abdomen which so never leaves? This is not necessarily ordinary pain or suffering, but perhaps the precursors of fatty liver.
Fatty liver is a situation in which the liver accumulation of fat is excessive. It is more prevalent than you might imagine and is usually so insidious it can creep up without you even noticing it at the initial stage. However, it is much easier to detect the initial symptoms of fatty liver which may result in managing the condition.
Through this blog, we will take you through the symptoms of fatty liver, how they feel, when to be concerned and why you should be so concerned about the health of your liver.
What is Fatty Liver Disease?
The fatty liver disease is a condition which develops when fat deposits in liver cells. It is generally divided into 2 major categories:
Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD): It is not associated with alcohol intake. Usually observed in individuals who are overweight, like diabetic or are possessed of high cholesterol.
Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (AFLD): This is a disease that is brought about due to the excessive consumption of alcohol.
Although the symptoms can be mild or absent at the initial stages, in the advanced ones, you may experience a situation where your liver stops functioning effectively.
Fatty liver has common symptoms that are as follows:
The symptom of fatty liver disease that is most common to be aware of are:
Persistent Fatigue
Constant tiredness is one of the most neglected and oldest symptoms of fatty liver. You will feel fatigued even after a good night sleep. This occurs due to the reason that your liver is not functioning properly hence, influences your energy metabolism.
Abdominal pain/intestinal pain/chest pain Upper right
You may have a low-level of pain in the upper right abdomen, directly underneath your ribs. This may be similar to bloating or pressure. It happens when your liver gets distended with the fat that is stored in it.
Unexplained Weight Loss
Lose weight effortlessly? Perhaps it is a reaction of your body to a fatty liver that can cause liver damage because it is not working efficiently, which may in some instances be a liver response to the fatty liver.
Loss of Appetite or Nausea
The digestion of a fatty liver may be interrupted causing nausea, sensation of fullness or loss of appetite. These are common initial symptoms of fatty liver that are usually ignored.
Bloating and Gas
A large number of patients with fatty liver are complaining of frequent bloating, tightness in the abdomen, and excessive gas (particularly post meals).
Dark Urine and Pale Stool
Liver dysfunction may be manifested through the change of urine color (dark yellow or brown) or pale stools. These are major signs of liver damage to be observed.
Jaundice (Yellowing of Skin and Eye)
In more extreme forms, i.e. during fatty liver stage 3 symptoms, jaundice may occur. This denotes a definite indication that there is grave stress on the liver.
Anasarcom panniperum (swelling in Legs and Abdomen (Ascites)
The accumulation of fluid in the legs (edema) or abdomen (ascites) may arise due to impaired hepatic functioning.
Itchy Skin
Your liver assists in cleaning of your organism of toxins. When it is not functioning well, toxins can build up and lead to itchy skin that can be either accompanied with rashes or some dry areas.
Gender (Female vs Males) Symptoms of Fatty Liver
Though most of the symptoms are similar, women are perhaps addicted with fatigue, changes in hormones or irregular menstrual cycles. In males, the symptoms of fatty liver can also include more often abdominal discomfort or metabolic symptoms such as high cholesterol.
What Is It Like To Have Fatty Liver?
You may be asking: How do I know that I have fatty liver?
People describe it as:
- Having stomach fullness or bloat after eating small food portions.
- Pain under the right that is dull and aches below the ribs.
- Constant exhaustion difficult to define.
- Light nausea which has no other gastrointestinal cause.
One should also keep in mind that a fatty liver may be asymptomatic, particularly at the earlier phases of fatty liver stage 1. It is the reason why regular check-ups and liver function tests are necessary.
Lesson: Never Miss the Red Flags
The fatty liver does not necessarily have any visible signs, however, your body could be trying to say something. Mild fatigue to bloating, the signs, and symptoms of fatty liver are crucial to the early detection and improved prognosis.
In case you are looking at such phrases as:
- How to determine whether I have fatty liver.
- Adults Fatty liver symptoms.
- Is fatty liver a cause of fatigue or stomach ache?
You already have the right direction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can fatty liver cause pain?
Yes, but a boring pain in the right side of the upper part of the abdomen.
Is fatty liver painful?
Typically not during the early stages, but it may get painful because of enlargement of the liver.
Does fatty liver make one feel fatigued?
Absolutely. Among the earliest symptoms reported is fatigue caused by fatty liver.
What are the symptoms of fatty liver in the skin?
In severe cases, jaundice (yellowing) of the skin, red palms, and itchiness.
What is the symptoms of fatty liver in Hindi?
The fatty liver ke lakshan mein thakan, pait mein jalan ya sujan, bhukh na lagna, peeli aankhen, aur kale rang ka peshab shamil ho sakte hain.
When to See a Doctor
When you have all these symptoms (and even other underlying conditions such as obesity, diabetes or high cholesterol) then it is time to check on your liver health.
The complications such as cirrhosis or liver failure can be avoided when the situation is promptly diagnosed. Fatty liver can be early diagnosed with a simple ultrasound or liver function test (LFT).
