5 signs of liver disease that can be detected on the face

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Awareness of the symptoms of fatty liver disease is crucial, as early detection can stop the disease from progressing to liver scarring and failure.

Liver problems are not always detected in their early stages, leaving many patients unaware of them.

Worryingly, studies warn that more than one in three adults is living with liver disease, which can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer or type 2 diabetes.

Known as fatty liver disease, or NAFLD for short, it can be caused by obesity, high blood sugar and high blood fat levels, often exacerbated by an unhealthy lifestyle.

A hepatologist shared five warning signs of fatty liver disease that can be seen on the face.

While NAFLD usually doesn't cause noticeable problems in the early stages, symptoms can appear when the liver begins to fail.

It is recommended to pay attention to the following warning signs:

• Yellow skin and yellow eyes
• Red skin
• Small threads of veins
• Rosacea
• Waxy appearance.

These symptoms occur when your liver starts to fail and indicate that your body is trying to clear out various types of waste products.

“Jaundice, which causes the skin and eyes to turn yellow, is caused by an increase in bilirubin levels in the body,” the doctor said.

If the liver stops functioning properly, bilirubin will not be released properly. If the brownish-yellow pigment in bile is higher than expected, the color of your skin and the whites of your eyes may change.

Consult your physician if you are concerned about your liver health.

“Eye symptoms tend to appear in the later stages of liver disease, so you need to seek medical attention if you start to notice them.”

The expert added that following a healthy diet and limiting alcohol intake are “important” steps to maintaining liver health and function.

Foods that can lead to fatty liver disease

From mayonnaise-covered chips to greasy burgers with ketchup, people are not immune to the lure of fast food. If one in five meals is fast food, you have a higher risk of developing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

If people eat once a day at a fast food restaurant, they may think they are doing no harm.

“However, if that one meal equals even one-fifth of their daily calorie intake, they are putting their liver at risk.”

Fast food consumption has increased over the past 50 years, regardless of socioeconomic status.