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ByZarafshan Shiraz, New Delhi Apr 24, 2024 04:48 PM IST Fatty liver disease is a commonly seen problem that can impact one's quality of life. Did you know? Fatty liver can develop into liver cirrhosis and cause irreversible liver damage. In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Alisha Chaubal, Senior Consultant - Hepatology and Liver Transplant at Gleneagles Hospitals in Parel Mumbai, explained, "Fatty liver disease happens when there is an excessive buildup of fat in your liver. It is a common occurrence in adults due to over-consumption of alcohol (Alcohol-induced fatty liver disease) or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease owing to a sedentary lifestyle, obesity, and diabetes." Unlock exclusive access to the latest news on India's general elections, only on the HT App. Download Now! Download Now! She elaborated, "Initially, this condition will not cause any major health problems and is easily manageable with the help of expert advice. However, as the disease advances, the liver undergoes serious trouble. It tends to get inflamed, and damaged as the healthy tissues are replaced by scar tissue impacting the functions of the liver. When there is complete damage and scarring of the liver, one is known to have liver cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer." Fatty liver also happens in alcoholic patients and is often referred to as AFLD (Alcohol-induced fatty liver disease). It even progresses to severe forms, MASH (Metabolism associated steatohepatitis, inflammation of fatty liver) or cirrhosis of the liver inducing liver damage, and inviting swelling in different parts or even jaundice. According to Dr Alisha Chaubal, following are the body parts where swelling may occur during liver cirrhosis Dr Alisha Chaubal shared, "When it comes to males, severe fatty liver disease can cause gynecomastia, a condition causing breast tissue enlargement. This condition happens due to hormonal imbalances because of liver dysfunction and is related to the loss of sexual desire and infertility. Swelling in these body parts can point to severe liver disease, these signs can mimic other health problems." She advised, "Getting a confirmed diagnosis and then initiating an appropriate treatment will be life-altering. A thorough evaluation including blood tests, CT scan, and MRI can help you to know the exact cause of swelling in the body. Making lifestyle changes like following a nutritious diet, staying active through regular exercise, and abstaining from alcohol can aid in managing fatty liver disease and mitigating its potentially severe outcomes."Fatty liver alert: These are the body parts where swelling may occur during liver cirrhosis and indicate severe disease