The liver is one of our vital organs responsible for more than 500 functions.
Therefore, any damage to the liver can be potentially dangerous.
Fatty liver disease occurs when there is a build-up of excess fat in the liver.
While this does not always cause problems to begin with, over time it can result in scarring of the liver.
If this happens it leads to cirrhosis, the most severe stage of fatty liver disease.
NHS Inform explains: “Cirrhosis is scarring of the liver caused by continuous, long-term liver damage.
“Scar tissue replaces healthy tissue in the liver and prevents the liver from working properly.
“The damage caused by cirrhosis can’t be reversed and can eventually become so extensive that your liver stops functioning. This is called liver failure.
“Cirrhosis can be fatal if the liver fails. However, it usually takes years for the condition to reach this stage and treatment can help slow its progression.
“Each year in the UK, around 4,000 people die from cirrhosis and 700 people with the condition need a liver transplant to survive.”
In its earliest stages, fatty liver disease often doesn’t present with symptoms.
It is often not until cirrhosis or other later stages of the disease occur that signs are noticeable.
According to the NHS, there are two symptoms that can affect the abdomen – tummy.
If someone is experiencing non-alcoholic steatohepatitis or fibrosis, the second and third stages of fatty liver disease, they could experience pain in the abdomen.
This is described as “a dull or aching pain in the top right of the tummy (over the lower right side of the ribs).”
Pain in this area is also a sign of cirrhosis, as is swelling.
“Swelling in your abdomen (tummy), due to a build-up of fluid known as ascites (severe cases can make you look heavily pregnant),” the NHS says.
Other symptoms of cirrhosis include:
- Tiredness and weakness
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss and muscle wasting
- Feeling sick (nausea) and vomiting
- Tiny red lines (blood capillaries) on the skin above waist level
- Very itchy skin
- Yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes (jaundice)
- A tendency to bleed and bruise more easily, such as frequent nosebleeds or bleeding gums
- Hair loss
- Fever and shivering attacks
- Swelling in the legs, ankles and feet due to a build-up of fluid (oedema).
If you experience any unexplained symptoms of fatty liver disease you should speak to your GP.
There are a number of factors that can raise your risk of fatty liver disease, including diet and weight.
Therefore to lower your risk for the condition the NHS recommends you:
- Lose weight if you are overweight
- Eat a healthy, balanced diet
- Exercise regularly
- Swap sweet drinks for water
- Stop smoking.