Liver Stress
In the early stages which can last for a decade or more liver disease is symptom free. As a result, millions of people are living with a ticking time bomb known as non-alcoholic liver stress (NAFLD).
Symptoms of Liver Stress:
Generally, liver stress has no symptoms, but as the condition progresses, individuals may experience one or more of the following symptoms:
- Fatigued
- Acne
- Weight gain
- Indigestion
- Difficulty losing weight
- Confusion or disorientation
- Patches of dark skin on neck or under arms
- Nausea
- Weakness
The Long Term Effects
Typically overshadowed by its more famous cousins, such as hepatitis and cirrhosis, fatty liver is reaching epidemic proportions in this country, affecting 1 in 3 Americans, even children. Although symptoms may be subtle or even nonexistent for years, one very obvious sign of liver malfunction is weight loss resistance. That is why whenever patient complains about failing to lose weight, it is a good idea to check the liver through palpatory findings and a 24-hour urine test.
Unfortunately, some physicians do not do this. In fact, there is a common school of thought that fatty liver is no big deal. I believe this is a very dangerous attitude to take. A liver under stress is more likely to develop cirrhosis, liver cancer and ultimately liver failure.
The Liver has two primary jobs:
First to detoxify the blood of substances like alcohol, medications and environmental toxins and then removing them from the body.
Second the liver must turn nutrients into compounds that the body can use and then store the excess for later use. From this it is easy to see that stress to the liver and result in numerous maladies throughout the body.
What Can You Do:
First, clean up your diet, reduce your intake of alcohol, fried foods, refined foods and drugs. Second seek a doctor who is trained in detoxifying the liver with the use of enzymes and herbs.
