Fatty Liver Signs suggested by Doctor that We can check at home

Around 38% of adults in India are estimated to suffer from Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). This is a silent disease that develops without overt symptoms. Gastroenterologist Dr. Saurabh Sethi (MD, MPH) explains how fatty liver is now one of the emerging metabolic health problems in India. Liver function tests and ultrasound imaging are currently considered the standard for diagnosing fatty liver. Early signs/symptoms that someone has fatty liver can often be detected from home.

In current information surrounding health, experts are stressing the importance of recognizing these mild signs/symptoms in a timely manner. Early lifestyle changes can help prevent the disease from progressing to more significant events (e.g. cirrhosis or liver cancer).

Chronic Fatigue That Does Not Stop

Fatigue that is associated with fatty liver disease is not the same fatigue that everyone has. This is fatigue in a continuous form. Even if you are getting good sleep. The liver is an organ that is important for changing nutrients into energy. If you have fat stored, it will impact your body’s ability to do this.

Dr. Sethi indicates that ultimately it means you never have any energy. It is worse during the day. People tend to think it is stress or being overworked, but if fatigue is something that is a constant in your life, this could be an early signal for liver disease.

Increase in Abdominal Weight

One of the most noticeable signs of fatty liver is a growing waistline, even if total weight has not increased. This type of central obesity— the accumulation of fat in the abdomen— means that your internal organs (particularly your liver) are surrounded and encased in unhealthy fat.

According to Dr. Sethi, this “hidden fat” is more concerning than the fat right below your skin. This type of fat is the major cause of insulin resistance and poor metabolic health, both risk factors for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Pressure or Pain Under the Right Rib Cage

If you have persistent pressure or pain underneath the right rib cage, it may indicate an enlarged or inflamed liver. This may not be a sharp pain, but rather just pressure and discomfort that gets slightly worse after a meal.

As the liver is located on the right side of the abdomen, these feelings should be taken seriously, particularly if experienced along with fatigue and abdominal fat.

More Subtle Symptoms of Insulin Resistance

There is a strong link between fatty liver and insulin resistance, which is when your body’s cells respond poorly to the insulin that is made. This could be displayed through everyday experiences such as:

• Craving food unexpectedly after meals
• Energy depletion around noon
• Skin darkening around the neck or under the arms (which is referred to as acanthosis nigricans)

These seemingly minor signs often develop well before blood sugars reach the diabetic levels, and make the most important first indication that you are at risk for fatty liver.

Nausea and Reduced Appetite

When the liver struggles to metabolize fats and poison, it can cause gastrointestinal issues. Often ignored, drug use, nausea, lack of appetite, and fullness after eating can easily occur.

Dr. Sethi explains these gastrointestinal changes happen when the liver’s ability to metabolize fats and toxic load is compromised, and compromises the body’s natural rhythm of digestion.

Being Proactive

Fatty liver disease is often reversible with early intervention, proper maintenance, and eating well, exercising, and reducing sugar. Experts suggest checking in on your liver health especially if you are sedentary or have a family history of obesity and diabetes.

This health news story conveys that your body usually gives little clues, before serious health issues arise, that something may be wrong, and knowing to pay attention to those clues can make a difference to your overall wellbeing.