Watch out for these 6 early signs of non-alcoholic fatty liver to stay safe

Diabetes, stroke, and heart attack –  these lifestyle problems have taken over our lives for a while, but there’s a new addition to this list. We are speaking about NAFLD or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Earlier, people had this misconception that only those who drink alcohol go through the problem of fatty liver, but unfortunately, that’s not completely true. Even if you don’t drink, there are many other causes that can lead to a fatty liver.

Basically, fatty liver is a condition in which the fat gets accumulated on the organ. Although, there is a small amount of fat that’s there, but when it grows more than 10 percent of the weight of your liver, it becomes a problem.

We all know alcohol is the primary cause of fatty liver, but there are many more reasons.

Causes of non-alcoholic fatty liver

• Obesity
• Insulin resistance
• Type 2-Diabetes
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Cardiovascular disease
• Infections like hepatitis C 
• High intake of refined carbs
• Gut problems
• Medicinal side-effects

6 early tell-tale signs of having a non-alcoholic fatty liver

1. Itching in body: You feel itching all across your body, if you have NAFLD. That’s because of the fluctuating levels of bile. Although for some people, this problem can look different.

According to the study published in the National Library of Health, itching in limbs, palms of your hands and soles is very common, in case of non-alcoholic fatty liver.

2. Swelling in the abdominal area: If you have NAFLD, there is an accumulation of fluid in your abdominal region, due to which you get swelling down there.

3. Drowsiness and slurred speech

4. Loss of appetite: Your liver secretes bile juice, which controls your appetite. If that fluctuates, you will see changes in your food habits too.

5. Fatigue and weakness: If you have suddenly started feeling tired and weak all the time, don’t just put the blame on your mental health. It can also be because of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

6. Pale skin: If you are doing and eating everything right to keep your skin in good health, but nothing seems to work out – then get your liver tested. Yellowing of skin and whitening of your eyes are also some early signs.

Some tips to prevent non-alcoholic fatty liver

If you experience itching, take these steps:

• Take a cold shower instead of hot.
• Use mild soap or shower gel.
• Avoid too much sun exposure and stay in a cool place.
• Also, wearing light clothes can help big time.

Also, read: These yoga asanas will help you keep your liver healthy and strong

Others:

• Eating a healthy and balanced diet with low salt and sugar is a must.
• Exercise daily for at least 30 to 60 minutes.

• Get yourself checked regularly, especially if you are obese or drink a lot.
• Avoid refined carbohydrates as much as you can and opt for healthy alternatives.

Do you know that people who are overweight and have diabetes are at a higher risk of developing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Yes, the prevalence of NAFLD is around 9-32 percent in the Indian population, according to the Union Health Ministry?

That’s why it’s time to wake up and take action!