Common Symptoms of NAFLD and NASH: How to Recognize this Silent Disease

Did you know that you can suffer from liver issues even if you don’t drink alcohol? It’s the truth! Many people suffer from liver conditions that cause a build-up of fats in the liver cells, thus contributing to the development of further severe liver problems.

NAFLD and NASH are usually silent diseases and display minimal to no symptoms. Most people with fatty liver disease will have the condition without being aware. The symptoms develop at the latter stages and usually include discomfort in the upper and right abdomen, tiredness, weakness, and other symptoms.

In this article, we’ll discuss the common symptoms of NAFLD and NASH, which methods are used in their diagnosis, and whether you can prevent it.

NASH

NASH, or Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis, occurs when fats build up in the liver, which could lead to cirrhosis and fibrosis. The liver becomes inflamed, and if not treated, it can cause liver cancer. According to statistics, 3% to 5% of the population is undiagnosed while suffering from NASH.

Researchers are continuously examining and studying the common causes of NAFLD and NASH and are still unaware of why certain people get NAFLD, while others get NASH.

However, one thing is for certain; if a family member has had NAFLD or NASH, other direct blood relatives are at an increased level of developing it at some point in the future. Additionally, certain medical conditions can increase this risk.

The Symptoms

The NASH symptoms include:

• Enlarged spleen
• Red palms
• Enlarged blood vessels
• Jaundice
• Ascites - abdominal swelling
• Pain or discomfort in the right upper abdomen
• Fatigue

NAFLD

NAFLD, or Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, is a fat build-up in the liver cells that is not caused by alcohol. If more than 10% of the liver cells are filled with fats, the liver becomes inflamed. This stage of the disease is often referred to as “fatty liver” or steatosis.

According to experts and healthcare providers, if NAFLD is not treated and reversed, the liver will continually be exposed to inflammatory changes, eventually leading to liver cancer. Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease is one of the common causes and risk factors for developing liver cancer. In fact, in the USA, it’s the 5th leading cause of liver cancer in men and the 7th leading cause of liver cancer in women.

The Symptoms

Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease is a “silent” disease that typically doesn’t showcase any symptoms in its early stages. However, in the latter stages, more severe symptoms will appear once the disease has progressed.

Some of the common NAFLD symptoms include:

• Weight loss
• Pain in the upper abdomen
• jaundice/yellowing of the skin and eyeballs
• Swelling in the abdomen
• Swelling in the legs
• Mental confusion
• Fatigue
• Weakness

Causes

The common causes of NAFLD and NASH are still being researched by experts and scientists. According to research, these liver conditions can develop if the person has the following:

• Obesity or being overweight
• Type 2 diabetes
• Abnormal cholesterol levels
• Abnormal triglycerides
• Metabolic syndrome
• Abnormal blood glucose levels
• High blood pressure
• Low HDL cholesterol levels in the blood
• Genes - according to research, certain genes can make people more susceptible to developing liver diseases

Having more of these medical conditions increases the risk of developing NAFLD or NASH, so losing weight and maintaining a balanced diet will improve overall health and prevent further liver issues.

Other causes might include, but not limited to:

• Lipodystrophies – disorders that cause the body to store fats
• Malnutrition
• Medicines like estrogens, corticosteroids, or HIV treatment
• Wilson disease
• Exposure to toxins

How to Prevent Liver Issues?

There are several ways to prevent liver issues, including:

• Maintain a healthy diet
• Exercise regularly
• Limit the alcohol intake
• Do not smoke
• Take medications as prescribed

The best way to prevent liver diseases is through regular checkups and proper diagnosis. There are several liver function tests and methods to aid the diagnosis of NAFLD/NASH and help healthcare professionals to monitor the progression of the disease.

Diagnosis

Doctors use various methods to detect any liver abnormalities and diagnose liver conditions. Medical history, diagnostic tests, and a physical exam are the core diagnostics in assessing liver diseases.

• Blood tests - used to examine the levels of certain enzymes like ALT and AST
• Imaging tests - show liver fats; included tests are ultrasound, CT, and MRI
• Liver biopsy - when further diagnosis is needed, a sample of liver tissue will be taken and examined in a lab to diagnose NAFLD/NASH

Talk to a Healthcare Professional

If you or a family member struggles with liver issues, make sure you reach out to a healthcare professional and check your health. It’s important for the disease to be caught in its early stages so you can prevent further progression.