The disease of nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFLD) is the term for a variety of conditions caused by accumulation of fat in the liver. It is usually seen in people with overweight or obesity. The condition is largely asymptomatic in the early stages.
However, sinister symptoms may arise if the disease reaches the later stages.
According to Health Body Scan Clinic, three specific types of pain in the abdominal area they can be a warning sign of NAFLD.
These are:
- slight pain
- moderate pain
- Severe pain.
Other signs include:
- Elevated levels of liver enzymes.
- elevated insulin levels
- Elevated triglyceride levels
- loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting.
Unfortunately, you probably won’t know you have it unless diagnosed during tests performed for another reason.
According to the NHS, NAFLD is often diagnosed after a blood test called liver function test produces a result abnormal and other liver conditions are ruled out, such as hepatitis.
But blood tests don’t always detect the condition
«The condition can also be detected during an ultrasound of your abdomen«explains the NHS.
This is a type of exploration in which sound waves to create a picture of the inside of your body.
Am I at risk?
Experts don’t know exactly why some people store fat in their livers and others don’t.
Similarly, there is a limited understanding why some fatty livers they develop inflammation that progresses to more serious complications.
However, NAFLD has been linked to several markers of chronic disease.
According to Mayo ClinicThese include:
- overweight or obesity
- Insulin resistance, in which cells fail to absorb sugar in response to the hormone insulin.
- High blood sugar (hyperglycemia), indicating prediabetes or type 2 diabetes
- High levels of fats, particularly triglycerides, in the blood.
«These combined health problems seem promote fat deposition in the liver«, explains the healthy body.
«For some people, this excess fat acts as a toxin to liver cells, causing liver inflammation and NASH, which can lead to a buildup of scar tissue in the liver.»
Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is an aggressive form of fatty liver disease, which is characterized by inflammation of the liver and can progress to advanced scarring (cirrhosis) and liver failure.
Can fatty liver be treated?
There are no specific treatments for NAFLD yet.
«Your doctor will encourage you to make lifestyle changes to prevent your condition from getting worse,» he explains. Bupa.
According to the health body, your doctor will also recommend treatment for any medical conditions or complications you may have due to your fatty liver.
Much research is being done to try to find a treatment, especially for people with the more advanced stages of liver fibrosis and inflammation.