Warning signs in the legs and abdomen that warn of a danger to the liver

 Warning signs in the legs and abdomen

Warning signs in the legs and abdomen that warn of a danger to the liver

The liver is a vital organ in your body, and fatty liver disease occurs when there is an accumulation of excess fat in the liver, and there are two warning signs of fatty liver in the legs and abdomen, according to the "Times of India" website.

The basic functions of the liver include:

Production of albumin, a protein that prevents fluid in the bloodstream from leaking into surrounding tissues.

Production of bile, a fluid important for the digestion and absorption of fats in the small intestine

blood filtration

Enzyme activation

Storage of glycogen, vitamins and minerals

Being the largest internal organ in the body, the liver plays many roles. However, it is also prone to several injuries and complications, and fatty liver disease is one of the biggest health problems associated with the liver.

 

What causes fatty liver disease?

Fatty liver disease occurs when there is a buildup of excess fat in the liver. This can happen due to several reasons.

It is mainly due to factors such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, high levels of fats (triglycerides) in the blood, and metabolic syndrome.

Age, genes, certain medications, and pregnancy are other risk factors for fatty liver disease.

 

The key to preventing fatty liver disease is early diagnosis. If the disease is not detected on time or left untreated, it can progress to an advanced stage that can be "irreversible".

If the condition gets worse, it can make you feel queasy, with additional problems in your legs and stomach.

The constant accumulation of fat can lead to inflammation of the organ, giving light to another health problem called (steatohepatitis).

Steatohepatitis refers to inflammation of the liver caused by excess fat cells in which chronic inflammation is said to cause progressive liver damage or cirrhosis.

Patients with steatohepatitis, who have experienced significant liver damage, may experience "swelling in the legs" and "fluid buildup in the abdomen." This is caused by increased pressure in the vein that carries blood through the liver, known as the portal vein.

Increased pressure in a vein causes fluid to build up in the body, including the legs, ankles and abdomen.

 

When the pressure in the portal vein increases, it can rupture, causing internal bleeding. However, if you notice signs of blood in your stool or vomiting, contact your doctor.

 

Furthermore, beware of any yellowing of the eyes and skin, which is another common symptom of liver damage.

Jaundice occurs when the affected liver does not remove enough bilirubin, a waste product of the blood, from the blood.

Jaundice causes yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes and darkening of the urine.

A person may also experience itchy skin, rapid weight loss, spidery blood vessels on the skin, nausea, loss of appetite and fatigue.

With a proper diet, consisting of healthy fats, which includes portion control, and regular exercise, a person can prevent non-alcoholic fatty liver.

 Maintain a healthy weight and avoid foods high in saturated fats, sugar, oil and processed foods.