01/7Fatty liver diseases can occur without alcohol-consumption
The common perception that liver disease occurs predominantly in people who drink is wrong. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease ( NAFLD) is a condition that can affect people who drink little to no alcohol at all.
When there is excess fat stored in the liver, it can lead to liver conditions that can cause severe distress. If left untreated, NAFLD can progress and develop into something known as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which can further cause cirrhosis, and/or liver failure. That said, whether you drink alcohol or not, the damage can be the same, if not diagnosed and treated early. To help you do that, here are some signs of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease you should not ignore.
Chronic fatigue is a tell-tale sign of liver disease. According to a study published in the Canadian Journal of Gastroenterology, it could be due to the changes in neurotransmitters in the brain. That said, irrespective of the cause, alcoholic or non-alcoholic, if you're tired all the time, it is best to get your liver checked.
03/7Loss of appetite
There are many reasons why you may not have the urge to eat. However, if your appetite is lost for a considerable amount of time accompanied with sudden pangs of nausea, headache and vomiting, it could be something more severe. One of the common signs of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is loss of appetite too. So if you have been experiencing the same, best to go for a liver screening.
Your skin can also reveal whether or not your liver is healthy. Given that a liver disease may impair your bile ducts, there is a chance that the consequences may be seen on your skin. Research suggests that liver disease can increase the levels of bile salts, which can accumulate under the skin, resulting in pruritis or an itchy skin. However, there are many reasons why your skin may itch or you may feel the need to scratch.
05/7Yellowing of the eyes and skin, also called jaundice
One common explanation to a yellowing skin or eyes is the increase in the level of bilirubin in the body, which is a yellowish pigment that's secreted by the liver. It is commonly called jaundice and needs immediate treatment once diagnosed.
06/7Sudden drop in body weight
Sudden weight loss may be a sign of unhealthy liver. Not only can it be a sign of liver cirrhosis, but it can also indicate a viral infection called hepatitis C, which could lead to an inflammation of the liver, causing pain and swelling.
Liver damage can often result in frequent, easy bruising. When your liver is damaged, it fails to produce adequate amounts of clotting proteins, which may cause more bleeding than usual, resulting in bruising. However, there are other reasons that can cause easy bruising on the body.