Although fatty liver disease is usually associated with signs such as jaundice or abdominal pain, one expert noted that the disease can present other, less common signs.
“Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a chronic condition caused by too much fat being stored within the liver cells,” explained Dr. Deborah Lee of Dr. Fox Online Pharmacy. Because of excess fat in the organ, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is associated with conditions, including diabetes and obesity.
And when it comes to finding the cause, the early stages of fatty liver disease usually don’t show many warning signs.
As the condition progresses, according to “Russia Today”, the body may ring alarm bells, and show various symptoms, the least known of which is clubbing of the fingers.
Dr. Lee explained that this symptom indicates a chronic liver disease that “may not be recognized.”
Clubbing describes enlarged fingertips and nails arching downward, becoming more rounded than normal.
The Mount Sinai Health Foundation revealed the warning signs that can reveal this symptom, including increased softness of the nails, increased softness of the nail lining, the formation of the nails at a sharper angle with the cuticle, nails that appear to be semi-separated from the surface of the skin, and warmth or redness of the skin below the surface of the nails. The surface of the nails is curved in a way that may make it look like an inverted spoon.
The site indicated that clubbing usually develops rapidly within only a few weeks. The signs may appear on the fingers and toes, and they usually appear on the fingers of both hands or both feet.
Fortunately, this problem can also be resolved “quickly” when the cause is identified and treated.
When it comes to fatty liver disease, clubbing refers to cirrhosis, also known as the “most severe” stage, as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
During this stage, the liver shrinks, becomes scarred and lumpy, explains the NHS.
The health authority warns that this damage is permanent, and can lead to liver failure or cancer.
Aside from clubbing of the fingers, cirrhosis causes other “severe” signs, including yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice), itchy skin and swelling of the legs, ankles, feet or abdomen (edema).