Fatty liver disease: The texture of your faeces could signal organ damage
Obesity: NHS explain how to work out your BMI
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Discomfort in the liver area and fatigue might indicate an issue with fat accumulation in the organ. Another key sign can be spotted in the toilet bowl before you flush. The British Liver Trust warned that dark black “tarry” faeces could be an extremely dangerous sign. Medically referred to as melena, the texture and colour of the faeces could be a sign of internal bleeding.
Patients who already have a liver condition are urged to seek medical attention if they see this warning sign.
Other signs that warrant medical attention include:
- Yellowness of the eyes and skin (jaundice)
- Bruising easily
- Dark urine
- Swelling of the lower tummy area (ascites)
- Vomiting blood (haematemesis)
- Periods of confusion or poor memory (encephalopathy)
- Itching skin (pruritus)
“In most cases people only find out they have a fatty liver [from] a routine blood sample,” the British Liver Trust said.
Usually, the blood test form will show that the sample will be tested for “liver function” alongside other checks.
READ MORE: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: Condition may cause enlarged liver – two signs to spot
Further tests, such as a CT scan, might be needed to confirm the diagnosis of a fatty liver.
In general, the more overweight a person is, the greater their chances are of having fatty liver disease.
It’s estimated that one in five people in the UK are in the early stages of the condition.
This is usually steatosis, where the fat has accumulated in the liver without causing inflammation or scarring.
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At this stage of the disease, if the condition is linked to being overweight, you’d greatly benefit from exercising more.
Gradual weight loss accompanied by an increase in exercise can reduce the amount of fat in the liver.
Other underlying health conditions, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol, will also need to be managed.
“People with NAFLD [non-alcoholic fatty liver disease] who go on to develop cirrhosis are at a higher risk of liver failure” said the charity.
The symptoms of cirrhosis:
- Generally feeling unwell and tired all the time
- Loss of appetite
- Loss of weight and muscle wasting
- Feeling sick (nausea) and vomiting
- Tenderness/pain in the liver area
- Spider-like small blood capillaries on the skin above waist level (spider angiomas)
- Blotchy red palms
- Disturbed sleep patterns
Left to progress further, the liver will begin to malfunction, which can lead to an array of symptoms.
Some indications include shortness of breath, vomiting blood, hair loss and trembling hands.
“Nine in 10 liver disease cases can be prevented,” said the British Liver Trust.
As well as keeping to a healthy weight, the charity strongly recommends cutting down on alcohol.
If a person drinks more than the recommended guidelines of 14 units per week, the liver won’t be able to cope and liver cells will die.
It’s advisable to have three days off alcohol every week to give the liver the chance to repair itself.
Another way to help protect your liver is to avoid hepatitis B and C by:
- Getting vaccinated against the viruses when travelling abroad
- Not sharing toothbrushes, razors, nail scissors or tweezers
- Practising safe sex
- Only getting tattooed at a licensed tattoo and piercing parlour.
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