Fatty liver disease: The hidden symptoms you should know about

You probably know that jaundice—the yellowing of the eyes and skin — is a likely sign of liver problem. But since diseases linked to the liver hardly show other symptoms, they could go undiagnosed and untreated until they are well advanced, at which point it might be too late. There are some other signs of fatty liver disease to be aware of.

Fatty liver disease

Fatty liver disease generally refers to a range of conditions related to the liver that affect people who drink little or no alcohol, according to Mayo Clinic. Per its name, the main characteristic of the disease also known as Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is too much fat stored in liver cells. Delayed diagnosis could result in liver scarring (cirrhosis) and even liver failure. Mayo Clinic says on its website:

Experts don't know exactly why some people accumulate fat in the liver while others do not. Similarly, there is limited understanding of why some fatty livers develop inflammation that progresses to cirrhosis.

However, obesity, high blood sugar and high levels of fat can make people more susceptible to the disease.

Symptoms

Apart from jaundice, abdominal pain and fatigue, a common symptom that goes unnoticed is confusion. Doctor Monika Wassermann, MD at Oliolusso explained to express.co.uk how confusion could signal the most severe stage of the disease.

Fatty liver disease may go unnoticed until one develops liver cirrhosis, and confusion is among the symptoms. It comes due to toxin build-up in the brain, as the liver cannot clearly purify blood.

Cirrhosis (liver scarring) is the fourth and final stage of fatty liver disease, which occurs after years of the organ being inflamed. According to the NHS, this damage is permanent and can lead to liver failure (where your liver stops working properly) and liver cancer.

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