In today’s fast-paced world, health often takes a back seat until the body starts sending warning signs. If you are experiencing discomfort or pain in the upper right abdomen, unexplained weight gain, and persistent fatigue, you may have fatty liver disease. Fatty liver disease occurs when excess fat builds up in the liver, impairing its normal function. It often develops gradually and without obvious symptoms at first, which makes it easy to overlook. However, early detection can help provide the right fatty liver treatment and prevent it from progressing into more serious stages like liver fibrosis or cirrhosis. In this blog, we will explore the first signs of fatty liver and learn how to recognise them.
Here are the First Signs of Fatty Liver
If you notice any of these signs, visit a physician or search for “urgent care facilities near me” to find a hospital near you with the best physicians or hepatologists.
- Unexplained Fatigue and Weakness
This is one of the most common and earliest symptoms of fatty liver. This constant feeling of tiredness or fatigue usually doesn’t go away even after rest. The liver plays a major role in converting food into energy, and when it is loaded with fat, it cannot perform this function efficiently. As a result, your body feels tired most of the time, leaving you feeling lazy throughout the day. This kind of tiredness often feels more like physical heaviness rather than just feeling sleepy. If you notice you are struggling to get through daily tasks despite adequate sleep and nutrition, it is time to visit the doctor.
- Discomfort or Pain in the Upper Right Abdomen
Pain or pressure on the upper right abdomen is an early sign of fatty liver that many people often miss. The fat deposits in the liver can cause it to enlarge or stretch, leading to abdominal pain or discomfort.
The pain may not be sharp, but it often feels like a sense of heaviness or mild ache that comes and goes. While such discomfort might be mistaken for indigestion or gas, it is important to pay attention if it persists or worsens after heavy meals or alcohol consumption. This is one of the liver’s first distress signals, and it shouldn’t be ignored.
- Unexplained Weight Gain
People with fatty liver often struggle with unexplained weight gain, especially around the abdomen. The liver regulates metabolism, and as it is overloaded with fat, it becomes inefficient. The body’s ability to process fats and sugars declines, leading to insulin resistance and further fat accumulation. You may notice that even with diet changes or exercises, it becomes harder to lose belly fat or maintain a healthy weight. If your weight increases despite healthy habits, it may indicate that your liver is struggling to function properly.
- Mild Jaundice or Yellowish Skin Tone
Although jaundice is more commonly associated with severe liver disease, mild yellowing of the skin or eyes can occasionally appear in the early stages of fatty liver. This happens when the liver cannot process bilirubin, a yellow pigment formed by the breakdown of red blood cells. As bilirubin levels rise, the skin and eyes can turn slightly yellow. If you observe any such changes in skin tone or eye colour, it is best to consult a doctor.
Conclusion
If noticed early, fatty livers can be reversed through a combination of a balanced diet, regular exercise, and lifestyle changes. In case you notice any of these early signs discussed above, don’t wait for them to worsen. Consult a health professional for proper diagnosis and kidney stone treatment.
