The Essential Overview Of Fatty Liver Disease

Having some fat in the liver is normal, but if five to ten percent of the organ's weight is fat, it may be due to fatty liver disease. One of the critical causes of the condition is drinking alcohol, so it is suggested any patient diagnosed with fatty liver disease should cease drinking alcohol immediately. On rare occasions, the fatty liver disease can also be diagnosed during pregnancy and can be risky for both the mother and baby, possibly leading to liver or kidney failure in either of them (or both).

There are two different types of fatty liver disease; alcoholic liver disease (ALD) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Signs And Symptoms Of Fatty Liver Disease

The fatty liver disease often does not show any signs or symptoms in the beginning. In fact, it may take years, even decades before symptoms are apparent. Some symptoms include nausea, loss of weight or appetite, weakness, fatigue, and confusion, poor judgment, or difficulty paying attention. Some other signs and symptoms include a larger liver, pain in the center or upper-right part of the stomach, and darker patches of skin on the neck or under the arms. Symptoms may worsen after drinking heavily.

There is a possibility fatty liver disease leads to scarring of the liver, known formally as cirrhosis. If cirrhosis occurs, symptoms such as a buildup of fluid, internal bleeding, jaundice, and liver failure may occur.

Now that you know the signs and symptoms of the fatty liver disease, keep reading to discover the causes and risk factors.