Nowadays, fatty liver problems are increasing rapidly and affecting people on a large scale. This is a serious issue that impacts the health and degrades the quality. There are various reasons behind this, including lifestyle, habits, stress, and many more, which automatically create the base for fatty liver and push it into the hazardous trap. So it is very important to protect yourself and maintain a healthy liver, as a minor mistake can cost you a lot. Today in this blog, we have discussed what fatty liver is, its symptoms, causes, and early symptoms. So stay tuned to know further. 

What is fatty liver?

Fatty liver is a disease in which excess fat gets deposited in the liver cells. Fat in small quantities is not harmful, but when it is extreme, it may lead to the impairment of liver functions. Most of the time, fatty liver disease has no clear symptoms at the onset, and hence, most individuals are unaware of its existence. 

This is commonly caused by poor diet, inactivity, obesity, diabetes, and alcohol. Otherwise, it can cause inflammation and permanent liver damage. The positive news is that with early changes in lifestyle, such as healthy eating, weight management, and physical exercise, one can help improve the health of the liver.

What are the causes of fatty liver?

Here are some of the causes of fatty liver mentioned below. Have a look at them one by one. 

1. Unhealthy Eating Habits

Consumption of too much processed foods, fried foods, sweet drinks, and high-fat foods is one of the most prevalent causes of fatty liver. These foods cause the body to accumulate extra fat in the liver, which accumulates with time. This condition can be prevented with the help of a balanced and nutritious diet.

2. Obesity and Weight Gain

In case the body is bearing an excess weight, fat begins to build up in the various parts of the body, and the liver is prone to it. Therefore, obesity becomes the main cause of fatty liver. With weight loss and a healthy lifestyle that is gradual may help a lot to reduce the fat in the liver and also enhance the functioning of the liver.

3. Lack of Physical Activity

Another contributing factor to fatty liver is a sedentary lifestyle. A lack of movement of the body reduces the metabolism rate of fats, and the stored fats start accumulating in the liver. Regular exercise, even the most basic of things such as walking or yoga, would be effective in burning the stored fat and keeping the liver healthy.

4. Alcohol Consumption

One of the main causes of fatty liver that is well known is excessive alcohol intake. Alcohol ruins liver cells and disrupts fat processing, resulting in the accumulation of fat. Quitting or limiting alcohol will provide the liver with time to recover and increase the overall liver activity over time.

5. Health Problems and Poor Metabolism

The causes of fatty liver also include health conditions such as diabetes, PCOS, thyroid imbalance, and high cholesterol. The conditions influence the body’s processing of fats and sugars, resulting in fat accumulation in the liver. Liver protection can be achieved through proper medication and lifestyle modification for these health conditions.

What are the Symptoms of fatty liver?

We have mentioned some of the symptoms of fatty liver below. This helps you to notice it at an early stage. 

1. Low Energy and Constant Tiredness

Fatty liver causes fatigue in many individuals even after rest. This occurs due to the inability to have efficiency in the liver, which affects the energy of the body. Although fatty liver causes could be started by fatigue, when combined with other symptoms, it might be caused by early liver stress.

2. Abdominal pain 

Others experience a distant sore aching in the right side, below the ribs. This is the location where the liver is located, and pain may be experienced when the liver gets enlarged as a result of fat accumulation. It is not sharp pain, but it is constant, and it is felt.

3. Excessive weight gain, invisible weight loss

Even when a person does not make any significant alterations in their diet, he/she might begin adding some weight, particularly around the belly. The liver is very much involved in metabolism; hence, when it is not functioning well, the body retains lots of fat. This renders the process of weight loss lengthy or irritating despite the healthiness involved.

4. Poor Digestion and Bloating

Others can observe stomach problems, gas, and bloating. The liver aids in digesting and breaking down fats; hence, slowing down the digestion process may occur when its performance is impaired. This can even lead to pain following meals, particularly deep or fatty foods.

5. Mild Jaundice or Skin and eye alterations

In more severe cases, fatty liver can lead to jaundice of the skin or eyes because of the accumulation of bilirubin. The skin can also be itchy or dull. This is a symptom that indicates that the liver is not doing well in eliminating toxins and requires further medical care.

How to determine liver fat at an early age?

In order to figure out whether the person is suffering from liver fat or not, we have mentioned some of the early signs of fatty liver below. Go through all of them  

1. Constant Lethargy and Laziness

Being fatigued or weak but without a clear explanation is one of the oldest indicators of fatty liver. This is due to the fact that the liver is not performing optimally, and this impacts the levels of energy in the body. When you always feel exhausted, it is probably one of the first symptoms of fatty liver.

2. Light-sided pain or Aches in the right side

Others might experience some form of discomfort or heaviness in the right rib cage. It does not have to be acute pain, but a dull one. This occurs when the liver is slightly enlarged as a result of the accumulation of fat and begins to exert pressure.

3. Bloating and Indigestion

Early fatty liver symptoms may also include problems with digestion, such as bloating, gas, or postprandial discomfort. As the liver aids in digestion, its inefficiency might make the body more difficult to digest fatty/heavy foods and cause unpleasant gut symptoms.

4. The abdominal area increases unusually 

There are individuals who gain weight even when their diets remain the same. The belly fat goes up since the liver contributes largely to metabolism. It becomes harder to lose weight, and untold weight gain becomes more noticeable when it slows down and the fat is stored.

5. Headache or Inability to Concentrate

The next symptom of fatty liver is a lack of mental clarity, which is another one of the early signs. Others have a problem with concentration, memory loss, or a hazy sensation. This is because the liver is not doing its job of filtering out toxins, and this can indirectly harm the functioning and concentration of the brain

Sum up!

Fatty liver disease can be controlled at an early stage when it is identified on time. Understanding its causes, symptoms, and warning signs allows you to take prompt action with the guidance of the Top Fatty liver Doctors in Dehradun. Proper lifestyle modification, conscious eating habits, and regular medical examinations can protect your liver and support long-term health. Early care plays a crucial role in preventing complications and is something you should never ignore.
For more information about fatty liver and its better health, you can get in touch with KMC Hospital. We are one of the top hospitals in Dehradun, providing affordable and quality treatment to the patients. Visit us and uplift your health under our guidance.