Liver Disease
US Population With Obesity, Diabetes At Higher Risk Of Liver Disease Pixabay/derneuemann

Being the leading cause of chronic liver disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects about 24% of the entire world population. But most of you are still unaware of the condition.

In simple terms, NAFLD is the buildup of extra fat in your liver cells. Unlike an alcohol-related liver disease, NAFLD isn’t associated with consuming excess alcohol and the condition affects individuals who are overweight, diabetic, insulin resistant, have high cholesterol. Wondering If you have fatty liver disease? Continue reading to find out signs that indicate you do.

1. Fatigue- If you feel extremely tired or exhausted, it could be a sign of liver disease. Many individuals with fatty liver feel fatigued and have very low energy levels. Fatigue in individuals with NAFLD is also liked to inactivity and excessive daytime sleepiness.

2. Nausea- Fatty liver disease can make you feel nauseous. This is because, in NAFLD, there is extra fat stored in the liver which can cause nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain or discomfort.

3. Swelling of the limbs- NAFLD affects your liver and can slow down the normal blood flow through your liver. This causes an increase in the pressure inside the veins which can lead to fluid accumulation (edema) in your legs and abdomen.

4. Jaundice- Fatty liver disease can cause inflammation and liver cell damage. An inflamed liver can lead to the build of bilirubin in your blood (Jaundice) which causes yellowing of your skin and eyes.

5. Increased liver size- NAFLD can cause an enlarged liver (hepatomegaly). In most cases, blood tests can reveal elevated liver enzymes. The accumulation of those enzymes and fat in your liver can make the organ enlarge. Abdominal ultrasonography can help measure the size of your liver and find out if you have an enlarged liver or not.

Thus, If you have high cholesterol, Type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, PCOS, hypothyroidism, hypopituitarism, obesity, or metabolic syndrome, your risk of developing NAFLD is higher. So watch out for these symptoms and find out if you have NAFLD. The main complications of NAFLD include cirrhosis, ascites, liver cancer, and end-stage liver failure. You can prevent NAFLD by consuming a healthy diet, exercising regularly and maintaining healthy body weight.

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