Fatty liver disease is one of the most common diseases that a vast number of people are going through. Obesity is one of the biggest causes of fatty liver disease. Today, in this fast-paced world, food habits are all over the place. We are habituated to eating harmful foods that do not help build good health. The imbalance they create inside the body causes multiple issues related to health.
Fatty liver disease comes in two types. One of which is metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, and the other is alcohol-related fatty liver disease. Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease is a fatty liver disease that is not caused by drinking too much alcohol for a long period. It causes inflammation in the liver and damages the liver cells. This type of fatty liver does not worsen with time. On the other hand, alcohol-related fatty liver disease is much more dangerous. This disease is generally caused by drinking alcohol. Hence, the disease gets better when drinking is not continued. Drinking alcohol while having this disease can cause serious liver damage. It can cause an enlarged liver. One of the early and major signs of this disease is pain and discomfort at the top right side of the belly.
Having liver disease can cause symptoms in the following body parts:
Abdomen
Liver disease has several symptoms. Fluid retention is one of them. Water retention in the abdomen is one of them. Inflammation in the blood vessels of the liver causes pressure in the blood vessels. Fluid from the blood vessels in the liver accumulates in the abdomen and causes swelling and pain.
Foot
Swelling in the feet is one of the symptoms. Fluid from the body accumulates in the feet due to gravity. Sometimes, the fluid can accumulate in the feet due to hard work too, which is normal for most people. Persistent swelling in the feet can be a sign of liver disease, which should not be ignored.
Legs and Ankles
Swelling of the ankles, legs, and feet is also one of the symptoms of liver disease. Enlarged veins become pressurised and block the blood flow to the kidneys. They make it impossible for the kidneys to purify the fluid and remove the excess in a natural process.
Chest
Liver disease can also cause enlargement of the chest walls. It is caused by a hormonal imbalance. It can cause a decrease in sexual desire and increase the risk of infertility.
Pancreas
Fatty liver disease can affect the function of the hormone-producing islet cells in the pancreas.
Kidneys
Fatty liver disease can damage the kidneys through VLDL lipoprotein over-secretion and induction of atherogenic dyslipidemia.