The liver is one of our vital organs that carries out more than 500 functions. These include processing digested food, controlling blood sugar levels and fighting infection in the body. So any problems with the liver can become dangerous.
Also known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, fatty liver disease refers to a range of liver conditions that are not linked to alcohol.
The main cause of fatty liver disease is having too much fat stored in the liver.
In its early stages it often doesn’t cause symptoms, but it can progress as far as cirrhosis.
Cirrhosis occurs after years of inflammation where the liver “shrinks” and becomes “scarred and lumpy”.
READ MORE: Acholic stools are ‘early’ sign of liver disease that can appear in the first stages
This results in liver scarring and even liver failure if not treated.
The NHS explains: “If cirrhosis (the most advanced stage) develops, you can get more severe symptoms.”
One symptom you could experience if you have cirrhosis is oedema.
This is a swelling in the ankles, feet and legs.
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This will often involve quitting drinking and losing weight if necessary, however, there are also medications available.
There are a number of factors that can increase your risk of developing fatty liver disease.
These include if you:
- Are obese or overweight – particularly if you have a lot of fat around your waist
- Have type 2 diabetes
- Have a condition that affects how your body uses insulin
- Are insulin resistance, such as polycystic ovary syndrome
- Have an underactive thyroid
- Have high blood pressure
- Have high cholesterol
- Have metabolic syndrome (a combination of diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity)
- Are over the age of 50
- Smoke.
“Although it’s very similar to alcohol-related liver disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is not caused by drinking too much alcohol,” the NHS adds.
