Fatty Liver Disease

It’s common for people to have no symptoms in the early stages of fatty liver disease. But in more severe cases, when liver cirrhosis and/or liver cancer are involved, signs can include:

• pain or fullness in the upper right side of the abdomen

• nausea and loss of appetite

• unexplained weight loss

• yellowish skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice)

• swelling in the abdomen and legs (oedema)

• tiredness

• confusion, memory loss, and insomnia

• weakness and muscle wasting

• a high temperature

• blotchy, red palms and itchy skin

• hair loss

There are 2 types of fatty liver disease, which are caused by different things. These include:

• alcohol-induced fatty liver disease – it’s caused by regularly drinking large amounts of alcohol, or drinking more than the recommended limit over many years

• metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) – also known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), MASLD is a condition where too much fat builds up in the liver, which is most often caused by obesity

What are the risk factors for fatty liver disease?

While drinking high amounts of alcohol increases your risk of developing alcohol-induced fatty liver disease, a wider range of factors can increase your risk of developing MASLD. These include:

• being obese

• having a family history of MASLD or obesity

• having conditions such as underactive thyroid, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol

• being over 50 years old

• smoking

Early-stage fatty liver disease usually has no symptoms, which means it’s often picked up during tests for another condition. 

High levels of liver enzymes seen on a blood test can be a sign of liver damage. You may also need imaging scans to help diagnose fatty liver disease, such as an ultrasound, MRI or CT scan.

Depending on the results of these scans, a Fibroscan may be recommended. This is a painless investigation to work out how much fat has built up in the liver, and your risk of liver scarring (fibrosis). For a small number of people, a liver biopsy may also be needed.

The best way to avoid fatty liver disease is to:

• exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight

• reduce how much alcohol you drink

• manage any pre-existing conditions, such as type 2 diabetes or metabolic syndrome

Fatty liver disease is a serious condition. If left untreated, it can progress to:

• liver scarring (liver cirrhosis)

• fluid build-up in the stomach area (ascites) 

• swollen veins in your oesophagus – these can rupture and bleed

• confusion, sleepiness, and slurred speech (hepatic encephalopathy)

• overactive spleen or hypersplenism

• liver failure

• liver cancer

• cancers outside of your liver 

People with MASLD are also at a higher risk of developing heart disease.

There’s no specific medication to treat fatty liver disease. Instead, medicines used to help control certain conditions associated with the disease, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, can help. 

Weight loss treatments, including certain medications and surgery, can also be effective, as well as eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, quitting smoking, and avoiding alcohol.

In severe cases, a liver transplant may be the only way to cure irreversible liver failure or early-stage liver cancers.

At Welbeck, our gastroenterologists are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.

With access to colleagues across other specialties, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.  

All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.

Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.

Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.

Get in touch today to book an appointment.