Liver disease: NHS Doctor talks about link with alcohol
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Fatty liver disease means you have extra fat in your liver. You might hear your doctor call it hepatic steatosis. Heavy drinking makes you more likely to get it. Over time, too much alcohol leads to a build-up of fat inside your liver cells making it harder for your liver to work. Your hands could hold the clues needed pertaining to your risk to the disease.
Clubbed fingers, which is when they’re wider and thicker at the top than the bottom, could indicate fatty liver disease.
As the liver struggles to function, the nails might turn white.
Another indication of a scarred liver is when the hands begin to tremble – an involuntary shaking that seemingly occurs out of nowhere.
Signs of fatty liver disease found on your hands include:
- Blotchy, red palms
- White nails
- Clubbed fingers
- Trembling hands.
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Eating a balanced diet and more modest portions may help a person maintain a moderate weight.
Foods that may help prevent the development of fatty liver disease include garlic, coffee, leeks, asparagus, and probiotics.
A person should choose whole grains and eat a wide range of fruits and vegetables.
A person should try to avoid foods that are high in saturated fats, refined carbohydrates, or sugar.
Diagnosis
“It can be difficult for a person to know when to seek advice from a doctor because fatty liver disease often has no symptoms,” said Medical News Today.
The health site added: “Doctors will consider a person’s medical history, diet, and lifestyle habits. They will also carry out a physical examination and do other tests to help diagnose fatty liver disease.
“A physical examination may include height and weight checks to identify a person’s body mass index (BMI).
“The doctor will also look for signs of jaundice and insulin resistance and check for an enlarged liver.”
Experts don’t know exactly why some people accumulate fat in the liver while others do not.
Similarly, there is limited understanding of why some fatty livers develop inflammation that progresses to cirrhosis (scarring of the liver).
However, chronic disease markers have been associated with the development of NAFLD.
According to Mayo Clinic, NAFLD is linked to the following
- Overweight or obesity
- Insulin resistance, in which your cells don’t take up sugar in response to the hormone insulin
- High blood sugar (hyperglycaemia), indicating prediabetes or type 2 diabetes
- High levels of fats, particularly triglycerides, in the blood.
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