Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease – Top 5 Symptoms, Causes, Useful Diet, & Treatments

Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Non alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease – The liver is one of the most important organs of the human body. It allows our body to detox. It is also the storage for vitamins and minerals. Just like any other organ in the body, it can also catch several problems.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is one of those problems. It is an umbrella term that includes a range of liver conditions. These are the few conditions that should not happen in non-alcoholic people, but it is happening due to other reasons.

In Western countries, especially the United States of America, it is a very common problem that has been affecting more than 20% of the population. Today we will talk about everything related to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, starting from its symptoms to down treatment options.

Symptoms of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver

Before we move ahead to anything else, let’s first understand all the major symptoms of non-alcoholic fatty liver, it will give you more clarity regarding the things we are going to talk about.

stomach pain

The first thing you are going to experience when you get a non-alcoholic fatty liver is a pain in the upper right corner of your stomach. The place of the pain is going to be the position of fever, and first of all, it will start very lightly, but it can grow over some time. Apart from that, you will also find it very discomforting.

Too much weakness

The second thing you are going to experience is too much weakness. Non-alcoholic fatty liver is known to cause severe weakness in the person affected with it. Several studies have already proven that too much weakness in the body in a short period is directly linked with non-alcoholic fatty liver.

Weight loss

Along with the weakness, if you have fatty liver, you might also experience sudden weight loss without trying. In many surveys and studies, it has already been proven that people don’t notice their weight going down, so if you are experiencing any weakness or pain in the stomach, you should also keep checking your weight. If you see a sudden drop in your weight, it could be due to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Extreme tiredness

Apart from weight loss or weakness, you will also feel that you are tired all day long. Even after a good night’s sleep and your regular coffee, you will not be able to do work like you normally do. There is a high probability that you also might experience body pain along with tiredness.

Yellow skin

In several surveys and studies, people also experienced jaundice-type symptoms, including yellow skin and eyes, after getting non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. You should regularly check your skin and the color of your eyes. If you see any abnormalities, you should let your doctor know about them. 

Causes Of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver

As you have already understood all the symptoms of non-alcoholic fatty liver, it is time for us to discuss all the major causes for the same.

Being overweight

Being overweight and obese play a major role in someone getting non-alcoholic fatty liver or not. A huge number of studies have already proven the direct relationship between obesity and overweight with non-alcoholic fatty liver. 

If you are obese or overweight, you should keep checking yourself for any of the above-given symptoms as you are in a higher risk category. You can also get yourself tested regularly if possible.

Diabetes

Insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes is also directly linked with non-alcoholic fatty liver. A huge number of people who get diagnosed with non-alcoholic fatty liver usually have diabetes as well. Several experts believe insulin resistance can also become a major issue and cause non-alcoholic fatty liver.

 Heart issues

Several heart issues, including high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels, can also increase the risk of getting a non-alcoholic fatty liver. People already suffering from high blood pressure and high cholesterol are at higher risk of getting non-alcoholic fatty liver by 50% than people who are not suffering from heart issues.

 Age

Even though gender does not impact someone getting known alcoholic fatty liver, your age can also become a major reason for the same. Most of the people who get known alcoholic fatty liver in the world are above the age of 50.

Doctors also suggest everyone above the age of 50 get their self tested regularly. Along with age, your immunity also decreases, and you become a high-risk individual. Similar cases are happening with non-alcoholic fatty liver and age also.

Smoking

Smoking cigarettes or tobacco do not just kill your lungs, but it can also impact your liver. A huge number of studies and surveys have already proven that smoking is directly linked with non-alcoholic fatty liver. If you are above the age of 50 and smoke, you should be giving more thought to your overall health but getting yourself tested regularly.

Thyroid

In several studies, it was concluded that people who have an underactive thyroid could also get a known alcoholic fatty liver? Even though the chances are very small, it could be a reason for you. If you are having symptoms of non-alcoholic fatty liver, you should also get your thyroid tested.

Effects of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver

Apart from the symptoms, what could be the effects of non-alcoholic fatty liver on the person affected with the same? Let’s take a look at a few of the effects.

• First of all, it could cause fluid buildup in the abdomen, which can further cause several problems.
• Non-alcoholic fatty liver can also cause swelling in the veins in your esophagus, which can also bleed in some cases.
• It can also cause several neurological conditions, including confusion, drowsiness and slurred speech.
• Many people have reported getting liver cancer once they get non-alcoholic fatty liver. You should be very careful with your non-alcoholic fatty liver.
• Last but not least, non-alcoholic fatty liver can also cause end-stage liver failure.

Treatments for Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver

Now, what could be the treatment options for non-alcoholic disease? Let’s take a look at a few of them.

Kindly remember, people don’t come looking for the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver as the symptoms of the disease match with several other conditions.

As a result, the combination of treatments is going to depend on how early doctors have detected the condition.

Till now, the United States Food and Drug Administration has not approved any treatment for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. That is why your doctor might not be able to help you with medications. But to lower all the symptoms of non-alcoholic liver disease, you might be prescribed a few medicines.

Weight Loss

As soon as you reach your doctor for non-alcoholic fatty liver, your doctor will suggest you lose at least 10% of your overall body fat. People who are not in the obese category might see improvements after three or 5%, but those who are in the obese category have to lose at least 10%.

Don’t worry. Your doctor might also suggest you a good diet that is going to be in a calorie deficit and an exercise routine to help you speed up the whole weight loss process.

Good Lifestyle

The second thing your doctor can suggest to you is a good lifestyle. You might be suggested a good healthy diet along with a regular exercise routine. These changes, along with controlled smoking, can help you reduce all the symptoms and eventually feel better from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Useful Diet for Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver

Dietary changes are going to be one of the biggest treatments your doctor can suggest to you for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. 

Your doctor might ask you to eat a plant-based diet, which is rich in fruits and vegetables. At the same time, you might have to cut all the deep-fried foods and junk food. Your doctor might also ask you to add whole grains and healthy fat options.

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Takeaways

nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is a very serious condition. As per one statistic, more than 20% of Americans are struggling with the same problem. It could have symptoms like abdominal pain, weakness, tiredness, and weight loss.

There are several reasons for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, starting from being overweight or obese, smoking habits, and age. Unfortunately, the non-alcoholic fatty liver disease does not have any specific symptoms, and people won’t even realize they are suffering from their condition until they get tested.

At the same time, treatment options are also very limited. For example, the United States Food and Drug Administration has not approved any medical treatment for the condition. Your doctor will suggest you a few changes in your lifestyle, including diet and exercise, which can help you lower all the symptoms.