Fatty Liver is a condition in which excessive fats get accumulated in the liver cells. It is also called ‘hepatic steatosis’ and impairs the ability of the liver to function properly, thereby leading to scarring, inflammation, and finally, liver damage/failure. This disease is classified into two categories: alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
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Types of Fatty Liver Disease
The most common type of fatty liver disease is NAFLD. It is caused when the fat gets accumulated in the liver cells due to factors other than the consumption of alcohol. These factors may comprise insulin resistance, obesity, high levels of triglycerides, and metabolic syndrome. This disease is commonly associated with lifestyle factors like lack of physical activity, high-fat diet, and some medical conditions like hypothyroidism and diabetes.
On the other hand, AFLD is caused due to excessive consumption of alcohol which leads to the fat accumulation in the liver cells, resulting in liver damage. The severity of this condition is dependent on the quantity and the duration of alcohol consumption.
In both the types of fatty liver disease, the fat accumulation in the liver cells may lead to inflammation and scarring, followed by liver damage. If it is not treated on time, it can progressively become dangerous, leading to critical liver diseases such as liver cancer, liver failure, and cirrhosis. It is, therefore, important to identify the symptoms and the risk factors associated with this condition to seek immediate medical aid.
Also, if your fatty liver disease becomes severe, you may require treatment which may sometimes prove to be financially draining. In such cases, you can research and compare the several types of health insurance plans online and choose the one that best suits your requirements. This health insurance will cover your medical treatment expenses and it will help you focus on your recovery rather than the financial burden. Read on to know more about the symptoms of this disease and how it develops on skin and face.
Symptoms of Fatty Liver Disease
Patients who have fatty liver disease are likely to suffer with sleep apnea which perpetually leads to the stoppage of breathing while asleep. This results in insufficient sleep and recovery, thereby leading to fatigue throughout the day. This also leads to a mitigation in the cognitive abilities which impacts the patient’s productivity negatively. The burden of NAFLD has been growing exponentially and therefore, this cognitive impairment creates a huge socio-economic impact. Finally, this condition also raises the risks of anxiety and depression, which ultimately affect work productivity adversely.
Even though most individuals experience invisible symptoms, some undergo chronic abdominal pain and facial symptoms. Here are a few of them which you must look out for:
- Face Puffiness
Health professionals say that a few common symptoms of fatty liver disease are puffiness and wrinkling Health professionals say that a few common symptoms of fatty liver disease are puffiness and wrinkling around the eyes, darkening of the mouth’s corners, and yellow eyes. With the advancement of this disease, the ability of the liver to form proteins decreases. This results in the impairment of the flow of blood and removal of fluid because of which the face becomes puffy. If this is causing your self esteem to falter, you can take a safe consultation for buccal fat removing.
- Rosacea
This is a common condition in which your skin becomes red. It is also a common cause of the formation of the bumps of small white or red blood vessels on your face. Having rosacea doesn’t necessarily imply that you have fatty liver disease, however, this skin condition biomarks liver dysfunction. As per a study, the two conditions can also be a cause of heart-related diseases.
- Acne
Development of acne on the face of a teenager is quite common because of hormonal changes. However, this is also one of the major symptoms of fatty liver disease. Constantly flushing red cheeks and worsening acne are few of the common symptoms that depict that your liver is getting affected severely in a negative way. The experts believe that if the liver gets overloaded with toxins, it results in various skin irritations. As per reports, about 25% of the adults depict the signs of NAFLD because of poor lifestyle factors and diet.
- Bumps and Rashes Around the Mouth
The likelihood of the ability of your body to absorb some nutrients such as zinc reduces when you have fatty liver disease, thereby resulting in nutrient deficiency. This can also cause dermatitis which is a condition which generally appears as bumps and rashes around the afflicted person’s mouth. As per a study, dermatitis is also a result of a common complication of the deficiency of zinc. Furthermore, it is presented as an irritation on the skin, with bumps which are filled with fluid around the mouth.
- Jaundice
One of the most common and easily identifiable symptoms of fatty liver disease on the face is Jaundice. As per health experts, jaundice happens after the advancement of the severity of the liver diseases. It makes your skin and eye whites appear yellow. It also occurs due to the excessive accumulation of bilirubin which is a yellowish pigment and byproduct of the red blood cells’ breakdown.
- Itchiness
One of the most common signs of fatty liver disease is the itchiness on the face. It is also called ‘pruritus’ which is generally not a big cause of worry. However, if this becomes continuous, it may intervene with your sleep patterns, thereby leading to a plethora of several other problems. As per the health professionals, people with NAFLD have higher concentration of bile salt which gets accumulated under their skin, leading to itching. Furthermore, some people who have pruritus have increased levels of histamine. However, it must be noted that antihistamines may not treat it effectively.
Key Takeaway
Fatty Liver Diseases can create a noticeable impact on the skin and face, thereby leading to several signs and symptoms. If you notice any of the signs as discussed above on your face or skin, you must seek medical help immediately. Early detection and treatment of this disease helps you prevent further liver damage to improve your overall health outcomes. Certain lifestyle modifications such as regular exercise, healthy diet, and limiting of alcohol consumption, can help prevent and manage this disease.