Over time, the disease can progress to life-threatening conditions such ascirrhosisandliver cancer.

Fatty liver disease comes in two forms.

These two types have different causes but similar results.

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Fatigue and liver discomfort (upper abdominal pain) are the earliest possible symptoms.

Usually, healthcare providers discover fatty liver disease due toabnormal liver enzyme testsdone for unrelated reasons.

Most people who have MASLD never go on to develop liver damage.

Recognizing these symptoms is important so your condition can be diagnosed and treated before you develop advanced symptoms.

Advanced Symptoms

Both MASH and AFLD can progress to cirrhosis of the liver.

The liver is badly scarred at this stage, and damage may no longer be reversible.

However, you could take steps to prevent further damage.

Not everyone has noticeable symptoms, even at this stage.

Complications

As liver damage increases, you may developcomplications of cirrhosis.

These occur when your liver can no longer remove toxins from your blood.

Possible complications are:

Some of these complicationssuch as cancer and hepatorenal syndromecan be life-threatening.

Summary

Fatty liver disease generally has no obvious symptoms.

Sometimes, it advances to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis and cirrhosis.

You may have fatigue, weakness, and liver pain.

Cirrhosis can lead to nausea and vomiting, easy bruising and bleeding, and jaundice.

Complications can be life-threatening.

They include liver cancer, cognitive problems, and dysfunction of the lungs or kidneys.

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University of Miami Helath System: UHealth.Complications of cirrhosis.

National Organization for Rare Disorders.Hepatopulmonary syndrome.

American Liver Foundation.Hepatorenal syndrome.

National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Fatty liver disease.