Your liver performs hundreds of important functions every day. It helps process nutrients, supports metabolism, produces essential proteins and helps the body handle substances it does not need.
Despite its importance, liver disease can develop quietly.
One of the most common examples is fatty liver disease. In people whose liver fat is associated with metabolic risk factors, the condition is now commonly referred to as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD).
The challenge is that fatty liver often causes few noticeable symptoms in its early stages. Many people discover that they have it only after a routine health check-up, blood test or abdominal ultrasound.
So, if fatty liver is often silent, how can you know when it needs attention?
What Is Fatty Liver?
Fatty liver occurs when excessive fat accumulates inside the liver.
Some amount of fat in the liver can be normal, but excessive accumulation may be associated with metabolic dysfunction and, in some people, inflammation and liver injury.
Fatty liver is commonly associated with conditions such as:
- Overweight or obesity
- Type 2 diabetes
- Insulin resistance
- High triglycerides
- Abnormal cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Metabolic syndrome
- A sedentary lifestyle
Alcohol can also cause fatty liver, although alcohol-associated liver disease is considered separately when doctors determine the cause.
Why Is Fatty Liver Called a Silent Disease?
The biggest problem with fatty liver is that many people do not feel sick.
A person may have fatty liver and continue with their normal routine without any obvious warning signs.
Some people may experience:
- Tiredness
- Low energy
- Mild discomfort in the upper-right abdomen
- A general feeling of being unwell
However, these symptoms are not specific to fatty liver and can occur with many other conditions.
This is why the absence of symptoms should not automatically be considered proof that the liver is healthy.
How Is Fatty Liver Usually Discovered?
Fatty liver may be discovered incidentally.
For example, you may undergo an abdominal ultrasound because
