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Have you ever been surprised to learn that someone you know has liver problems even though they rarely take a drink? Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease might be the culprit. It’s a type of liver disease that is surprisingly common among seniors and the elderly, but often takes those afflicted by surprise, as most of us associate liver trouble with something toxic, such as too much alcohol.
How can you spot this problem that can creep up on you with little warning? Fortunately, there are many ways you can take care of yourself to help reduce your risk factors for this disease.
What is Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease?
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, also known as NAFLD, refers to liver deterioration that appears similar to that of someone who abused alcohol for many years, but there is no alcohol involved. That’s why it can often take someone by surprise if they are not a drinker or drink only in moderation. This is a diagnosis that is becoming increasingly common in the United States, especially among the elderly. In fact, it’s the most common form of liver disease, affecting about 25% of the population, according to the Mayo Clinic.1
As the name implies, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is marked by too much fat stored in the cells of the liver. Some of the symptoms include:
· A deep, persistent fatigue that doesn’t seem to go away, even with adequate rest.
· Pain or discomfort in the abdomen, especially in the upper right side.
If you are feeling either of these issues, it’s time to look into an emergency alert system to keep you safe. Fatigue can make you a much greater fall risk, and any sort of pain or discomfort can distract you. A medical alert system with fall detection is a very common choice to help keep seniors safe.
Those who have NAFLD for a long time might develop nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, or NASH. This is an aggressive form of liver disease that starts with liver inflammation. As the body fights the inflammation, it creates scar tissue. That eventually progresses to cirrhosis, or advanced scarring of the liver. The scar tissue keeps the liver from working properly; hence, you then go into liver failure.
The damage of NASH is very similar to the liver failure someone might experience with heavy alcohol abuse, but as with NAFLD, there is no alcohol involved.
When the problem with your liver progresses to NASH, other symptoms will start showing up:
· Abdominal swelling, known medically as ascites, can be one of the first signs. It might be very slight or it might grow significantly within a short period of time.
· Enlarged blood vessels that can be seen right below the surface of the skin.
· An enlarged spleen. Though this might go unnoticed by anyone but your doctor, if it gets large enough, it can lead to discomfort in your abdomen as well as pain in your shoulder.
· Your palms might become red, and your skin and eyes might look yellow as the result of jaundice.
If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s important to talk to your doctor right away. And it’s a good idea to have a fall alert on hand. A medical alarm system for elderly adults can ensure that no matter what medical or other emergency you face, you have the ability to reach out for help, 24/7.
What Is Your Risk of Developing NAFLD?
Sometimes, lifestyle choices offer a clue to what’s happening inside your body. For instance, those who are heavy smokers might not be surprised if they learn they have lung cancer. And those who drink alcohol to excess might not be surprised if their doctor cautions them about liver cirrhosis, or scarring. But it can come as quite a shock when liver scarring shows up in someone who doesn’t touch alcohol!
So it makes sense that you might wonder what puts you at risk of developing fatty liver disease.
The journal Portal Hypertension and Cirrhosis reports that medical professionals are slowly moving to a new terminology: MAFLD. That stands for metabolic-associated fatty liver disease. That better reflects the fact that alcohol doesn’t have to be a factor for someone to have a serious problem with their liver.2
Regardless of what it’s called, it’s important to know your risk factors.
· Your age. This disease is much more common among the elderly. According to BMC Gastroenterology, NAFLD has a higher increased risk of mortality among those who are between the ages of 60 and 74.3 Be on the lookout for the symptoms of NAFLD as you get older and talk to your doctor about your risks.
· Being overweight or obese. This is the second most common risk factor for fatty liver disease. You are more likely to develop the problem if you tend to carry the weight in your abdomen rather than distributed throughout your body.
· High blood sugar. When your blood sugar is high enough that your doctor diagnoses you with type 2 diabetes or even pre-diabetes, you are at higher risk of too much fat in your liver cells. You are also at risk of a host of other conditions, which is why it’s so important to keep your blood glucose levels under control.
· Insulin resistance. This often goes hand-in-hand with diabetes. It happens when your body is producing enough insulin but your cells aren’t using that insulin properly. That allows your blood sugar levels to rise.
· High fat levels in the blood. We’re looking at you, triglycerides! When you have your cholesterol tested, the doctor will also look at your triglycerides, which are made up of the fats in the foods you eat.4 The higher your level of triglycerides, the better the odds of your developing NAFLD.
· Certain medical conditions. If you have been diagnosed with metabolic syndrome or polycystic ovary syndrome, you might be at higher risk. You could also be at risk if you have an underactive thyroid, an underactive pituitary gland, or sleep apnea. If your doctor has mentioned any of these conditions to you, it’s time to get checked out for both NAFLD and NASH.
What Does It Mean If You Have It?
If you are diagnosed with NAFLD, there are things you can do to prevent it from getting worse. If you’ve been diagnosed with NASH, the situation is more serious but there are still options to help you fight the disease.
If you don’t find a way to ease the inflammation in your liver, you could face continuous fluid buildup in the abdomen, which might need to be drained in a medical procedure. The veins in your esophagus can swell, which could potentially lead to rupture and bleeding. Other serious problems include liver cancer, liver failure, or hepatic encephalopathy – that’s the buildup of neurotoxins in the brain.
Up to 12% of those who are diagnosed with NASH will face the more serious consequences. But there are ways to get into a better condition and hopefully prevent development of NAFLD or NASH.
· Make sure your diet is healthy. A diet that is heavy on plant-based foods is best. Include plenty of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Don’t forget to add healthy fats, such as those from avocados. Use olive oil as it is anti-inflammatory, unlike many other oils.
· Exercise more often. The recommended amount of exercise is 150 minutes a week, spread out over time, which usually translates to 30 minutes or so a day. Ramp up your exercise if you think you might be at higher risk for fatty liver disease.
· Get to a healthy weight. If you are overweight or obese, dropping pounds can help save your liver. In addition to keeping up with good exercise and a healthy diet, talk to your doctor about other ways that will be safe for you to try to lose weight. The ideal is a loss of 10% of your body weight if you are obese; however, losing even as little as 3% of your starting weight can have a marked effect.
As you work to get healthier and avoid the potential consequences of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, turning to mobile medical alert systems for seniors can help you stay safe and secure on your journey. When you have trained professionals only a button push away, you can get out and exercise with confidence, knowing that you can reach out for help from anywhere, at any time.
