Fatty liver is a condition that often has no obvious symptoms, so early diagnosis can be difficult. However, some common symptoms may include fatigue, weight loss or weight gain, abdominal bloating, loss of appetite and nausea. There may also be a slight pain or discomfort in the area where the liver is located. But not everyone with fatty liver experiences these symptoms, and some people show no symptoms. Fatty liver can lead to more serious complications that can threaten your health, so early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are of great importance.
Fatty liver is a condition characterized by abnormal accumulation of fat in the liver. This problem is common today and can lead to serious health problems. The symptoms of fatty liver are usually mild or absent. But some people may experience obvious symptoms. These may include fatigue, weight loss or weight gain, abdominal swelling, loss of appetite, nausea, and mild pain in the liver area. However, many people experience no symptoms and do not notice the condition. When fatty liver progresses, it can lead to more serious complications such as liver damage, cirrhosis or liver cancer. Symptoms of fatty liver:
- Weakness and fatigue: Persistent fatigue and weakness are common symptoms in people with fatty liver.
- Abdominal pain or discomfort: There may be a slight pain or discomfort in the liver area. Abdominal pain may increase as fatty liver progresses or inflammation develops.
- Liver enlargement: In the case of progressive fatty liver, there may be an increase in the size of the liver. This may mean that the lower edge of the liver can go all the way down to the right rib.
- Loss of appetite and weight loss: People with fatty liver may experience loss of appetite, taste loss, or weight loss.
- Jaundice: In rare cases, progressive fatty liver can lead to hepatitis or cirrhosis, which can cause symptoms of jaundice. Jaundice is manifested by yellowing of the skin and eyes, dark urine and light stools.
- Other symptoms: Fatty liver is sometimes associated with insulin resistance, high blood fats, type 2 diabetes or obesity. In this case, symptoms specific to these conditions may also occur.
These symptoms may not be seen in the same way in everyone with fatty liver, and some people may have no symptoms at all. Therefore, if fatty liver is suspected, it is important to consult a doctor and be evaluated for diagnosis and treatment.
What are the symptoms of fatty liver on the skin?
Fatty liver can sometimes cause symptoms on the skin. When fatty liver progresses, yellow color changes may be observed on the skin due to the liver’s inability to function properly. A yellowish color may appear, especially on the whites of the eyes and on the skin. In addition, fatty liver can cause itching. Itching can often be a common and uncomfortable sensation on the skin. As liver fattening progresses, capillary enlargements or lines appear on the skin. Fatty liver can contribute to the formation of lesions on the skin, and brown spots (lentigo) or white spots (vitiligo) may appear.
Where does fatty liver cause pain?
Fatty liver does not usually cause significant pain. However, some people may experience mild pain or discomfort in the liver area. Since the liver is located in the upper right side of the abdominal cavity, there may be a discomfort felt in this area. Pain can often be felt as tingling or pressure. However, not everyone with fatty liver experiences these symptoms, and most people feel no pain.
The signs and symptoms of fatty liver may differ from person to person. Some people may experience symptoms such as bloating, loss of appetite, nausea, and fatigue, while others may not show any symptoms. Pain may become more pronounced when liver inflammation or cirrhosis, a serious complication of fatty liver, develops. If you are experiencing persistent or severe pain in the liver area, it is important to consult a healthcare professional. Only your doctor can help you with proper diagnosis and treatment. It would be best to consult your doctor about the treatment of fatty liver.
What is good for fatty liver?
The treatment plan for fatty liver varies depending on the underlying causes and the individual situation of the patient. Recommended treatment for fatty liver includes lifestyle changes that support liver health. However, the following precautions and lifestyle changes can support liver health and help reduce the risks associated with fatty liver:
- A balanced diet is important to support liver health. Choose a diet that includes more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, low-fat proteins and healthy fats. Limiting refined sugar and processed foods may also be beneficial. It’s also important to limit alcohol consumption or quit altogether if possible.
- Obesity and excess weight can trigger the development of fatty liver. Staying within a healthy weight range and losing weight as needed can help improve liver health.
- Regular physical activity helps control weight and contributes to improving liver health. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise per week. Exercise options include activities such as walking, jogging, cycling, swimming.
- Alcohol is a factor that has negative effects on the liver. People with fatty liver should limit their alcohol consumption or quit altogether if possible.
- It is important to use drugs that can harm liver health with caution. It is important to follow your doctor’s instructions and avoid medications that have adverse effects on the liver.
- Chronic stress can have adverse effects on liver health. Using stress management techniques can help improve liver health. These may include meditation, yoga, deep breathing and relaxation exercises.
What are the foods that cleanse the liver?
Foods that cleanse the liver contain nutrients that can support liver health and aid in detoxification processes. Foods that cleanse the liver:
- Garlic: Garlic can help detoxify the liver by increasing the activity of liver enzymes.
- Citrus: Citrus fruits such as lemons, oranges and grapefruit are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants. These nutrients can support the liver’s natural detoxification processes.
- Green leafy vegetables: Green leafy vegetables such as spinach, chard, arugula and lettuce support liver health with the fiber, antioxidants and chlorophyll they contain.
- Broccoli: Broccoli contains compounds that support the detoxification processes of the liver. It also contains high amounts of fiber, vitamin C and folic acid.
- Ginger: Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties and can increase the detoxification capacity of the liver.
- Green tea: Green tea is rich in antioxidants, which can support liver health and contribute to detoxification processes.
- Avocado: Avocados are rich in healthy fats, fiber and antioxidants. It is an ideal option to support liver health.
- Walnut: Walnuts are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants and can support the detoxification processes of the liver.
Does diabetes cause fatty liver?
Diabetes (diabetes) can contribute to fatty liver. Diabetes is a condition in which blood sugar levels in the body are high. In people with diabetes, body cells become less sensitive to insulin. This makes it difficult for cells to use blood sugar effectively. The body tries to produce more insulin to increase the effect of insulin. High insulin levels can increase fat accumulation in the liver.
Diabetes can cause disruption of fat metabolism in the body. High blood sugar can cause fat cells to store more fat and build up fat molecules called triglycerides in the liver. Diabetes is often associated with other metabolic syndrome components such as obesity, high blood pressure, and dyslipidemia (dyslipidemia). Together, these conditions can increase the accumulation of fat in the liver. Fatty liver may be more common in people with diabetes. At the same time, fatty liver can be one of the complications of diabetes and can lead to liver diseases (for example, liver inflammation or cirrhosis) when it progresses.