Skin symptoms that could mean you have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

As many as one in three adults in the UK have early-stage non-alcohol related fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

NAFLD is the term doctors use for for a range of conditions caused by a build-up of fat in the liver. It's usually seen in people who are overweight or obese, though you can develop the disease if you are a healthy weight.

Early-stage NAFLD, where a person has small amounts of fat in their liver, does not usually cause any harm, but can lead to serious liver damage, including cirrhosis, if it gets worse. The NHS website adds that having high levels of fat in your liver can also mean an increased risk for serious health problems such as high blood pressure and diabetes.

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The British Liver Trust estimates up to one in five people in the UK have NAFLD. It adds that your risk of NAFLD is increased if you have:

• a weight in the overweight or obese range

• a high waist measurement

• type 2 diabetes

• a diet with too many unhealthy foods and drinks

• low levels of physical activity or spending a lot of time sitting down

• high blood lipids such as cholesterol

• high blood pressure

• other conditions linked to insulin resistance for example polycystic ovary syndrome

Often NAFLD has no symptoms, but where signs do occur, some show up on the skin. These are the skin and eyes yellowing, also known as jaundice, skin becoming itchy, and a person bruising easily.

Other warning signs include dark urine, swelling of the tummy, vomiting blood, dark, tarry stools, and periods of confusion.

Adopting a healthy lifestyle is the main way of managing NAFLD and NHS guidance lists losing weight, eating a healthier diet, and exercising regularly as examples of things sufferers should do. It also adds that while NAFLD is not caused by alcohol, drinking may make it worse.

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