Our eating habits and lifestyle have a profound effect on our health. If the habits are unhealthy then no one can save us from diseases. Lifestyle related diseases are increasing rapidly in the last few years. A disease like fatty liver is also a result of bad lifestyle.
Fatty liver has affected nearly a quarter of the world's population over the past 50 years. According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hepatology, 1 in every 3 people in India alone has fatty liver.
This disease affects both adults and children. According to a recent study by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), about 38% of India's population is suffering from fatty liver or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Worryingly, this disease is not limited to adults. About 35% of children also have this problem.
So today In 'health water' We will talk about fatty liver. You will also learn that-
- How to know about fatty liver sitting at home?
- How can it be avoided?
What is fatty liver?
This is a lifestyle related disease. When the level of fat in the liver is higher than normal, it is called fatty liver. This is a common problem, especially in people who are overweight.
Fatty liver has no specific symptoms, but it can cause serious health problems. Obesity, alcohol consumption, excessive consumption of fatty foods are the main causes of fatty liver.
In most cases, patients with fatty liver are advised to change their lifestyle and diet, exercise regularly and lose weight.
How to detect fatty liver at home
Symptoms of fatty liver are usually very mild. No one pays attention to them. Let's know about 7 signs of fatty liver, which can be easily detected at home.
Pain in right rib
Persistent mild pain under the right rib may be a red flag. This is the area where the liver is. Pain here may be a sign that the liver is swollen or enlarged due to fat deposits. For this, as a precaution, start eating a healthy diet and exercise regularly. If the pain is severe and persistent, consult a doctor immediately.
Accumulation of fat around the abdomen
Sudden or gradual weight gain, accumulation of fat around the abdomen can be a sign of fatty liver. The liver plays an important role in fat metabolism and when it is not functioning properly it can lead to fat accumulation around the abdomen. If you haven't made any significant changes in your diet, but the fat around the belly is increasing, it is necessary to get it checked.
Acne or skin problems
This may come as a surprise to many, but our skin can tell a lot about liver health. Yes, persistent acne can be associated with fatty liver. The liver helps remove toxins from the body and when it is overworked due to fat, toxins can leak out through the skin, causing acne, warts or blemishes.
Rashes on the skin
Darkening of the skin around the neck, armpits or elbows can also be a sign of fatty liver. This condition is usually a sign of insulin resistance, which is associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
Yellowing of the eyes or skin
Jaundice, which causes the skin and whites of the eyes to turn yellow, is a sign of liver failure. This occurs when the liver is unable to properly filter bilirubin, a waste product released from red blood cells.
Swelling of the feet, soles or hands
Swelling of the feet, ankles, or hands occurs when the liver is unable to produce enough protein, leading to a fluid imbalance. If the swelling is persistent or accompanied by other symptoms, it may be a sign of fatty liver.
Feeling tired or weak
Persistent tiredness even after rest may be associated with liver problems. A fatty liver can impair the body's ability to store and release energy, causing a person to feel tired and weak. If energy levels are low for no apparent reason, one needs to pay attention to their liver health. Learn how to get rid of fatty liver easily from the graphic below.
Ways to Avoid Fatty Liver
Changing your lifestyle is very important to avoid this dangerous disease. This can be controlled with a balanced diet and exercise. Learn about this in the following pointers.
- By controlling weight, you can avoid many diseases including fatty liver.
- Do not consume alcohol or beer.
- Stop drinking tea.
- Use stairs, avoid escalators.
- Exercise at least 45 minutes daily.
- Do not use mobile while sleeping.
- Create a good routine. Do all work on time.
- Do not take more medicines than necessary.
- Sleep on time and wake up on time.
- If you want to protect your children from diseases, maintain your weight.
- Experts believe that one apple a day keeps you away from doctors and two apples keep you away from all diseases. So, definitely include apples in your diet.
Alcohol is harmful to the liver
The liver's job is to break down toxins. When a person drinks alcohol, different enzymes present in his liver work to break down the alcohol, so that it can be removed from your body. But when a person consumes more alcohol than the liver can handle, alcohol and its byproducts can damage the liver.
Early stages of alcohol-related liver disease often have no symptoms. Therefore, we may not even realize that alcohol is causing liver damage. However, it can be identified by some symptoms like fatigue, weight loss without any reason, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting.
Alcoholic fatty liver disease can be avoided by stopping alcohol consumption. See the graphic below for what you can include in your diet to prevent fatty liver.
Image Credit: (Divya-Bhaskar): Images/graphics belong to (Divya-Bhaskar).
