Warning tummy ache could be sign of disease that can cause silent killer

03 June 2023 , 20:42

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Warning tummy ache could be sign of disease that can cause silent killer

Thousands of people are each year are susceptible to an unpleasant group of liver problems - which causes stomach ache and become silent killers if left unmanaged.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the term for a range of conditions caused by a build-up of fat in the digestive organ.

More than 2,000 people were admitted to hospital with types of it in the financial year that ended in April 2021 alone.

Doctors say those who are overweight or obese are particularly vulnerable to NAFLD.

It can lead to liver damage, including cirrhosis, if it is left unmanaged. NHS says lifestyle changes are the best way to do this.

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Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease causes tummy ache (InYourArea)

Having high levels of fat in your liver is also associated with an increased risk of serious health problems, such as diabetes, high blood pressure and kidney disease.

NAFLD develops in 4 main stages.

Most people will only ever develop the first stage, usually without realising it.

In a small number of cases, it can progress and eventually lead to liver damage if not detected and managed.

Doctors are able to diagnose non-alcoholic fatty liver disease after tests (file image) (Getty Images)

The main stages of NAFLD are:

1. simple fatty liver (steatosis) – a largely harmless build-up of fat in the liver cells that may only be diagnosed during tests carried out for another reason
2. non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) – a more serious form of NAFLD, where the liver has become inflamed
3. fibrosis – where persistent inflammation causes scar tissue around the liver and nearby blood vessels, but the liver is still able to function normally
4. cirrhosis – the most severe stage, occurring after years of inflammation, where the liver shrinks and becomes scarred and lumpy; this damage is permanent and can lead to liver failure (where your liver stops working properly) and liver cancer

It can take years for fibrosis or cirrhosis to develop. It's important to make lifestyle changes to prevent the condition getting worse.

Those aged over 50, people who smoke and those with diabetes are also at risk of NAFLD, the NHS says.

NAFLD, though, has been diagnosed in people without any of these risk factors, including young children.

The range of conditions can affect anyone, doctors say, despite age and lifestyle choices (Getty Images/Science Photo Library RF)

NAFLD is often diagnosed after a blood test called a liver function test produces an abnormal result and other liver conditions, such as hepatitis, are ruled out.

But blood tests do not always pick up NAFLD.

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The condition may also be spotted during an ultrasound scan of your tummy.

This is a type of scan where sound waves are used to create an image of the inside of your body.

There's not currently any medicine that can treat NAFLD but lifestyle changes, such as trying to lose weight, help manage it.

Treatment also may be recommended for associated conditions, like diabetes.

Bradley Jolly