Fatty liver disease is a common condition caused by having too much fat build up in your liver. A healthy liver contains a small amount of fat. It becomes a problem when fat reaches five to 10 percent of one’s liver’s weight. Unusual itching particularly at night could indicate your risk to the condition.
In a study published in the National Library of Health, itching symptom and how it’s related to the liver was analysed.
Pruritus can be defined as “an unpleasant sensation that causes the need to scratch and although it is most commonly seen in skin diseases it can occur as a consequence of systemic conditions”, began the study.
It added: “Pruritus in liver diseases can often be a debilitating symptom causing significant impairment in quality of life.
“Not all patients with liver disease develop pruritus and its prevalence varies depending on the underlying cause of liver disease.
“Patients with pruritus often seek treatment from their GPs but studies have shown there is lack of awareness among clinicians in relation to pruritus associated with liver diseases.”
Other symptoms of fatty liver disease to look out for include:
- Abdominal pain or a feeling of fullness in the upper right side of the abdomen (belly).
- Nausea, loss of appetite or weight loss
- Yellowish skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice)
- Swollen abdomen and legs
- Extreme tiredness or mental confusion
- Weakness