Warning signs of fatty liver disease

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updated 2:08 p.m. ET Sept. 7, 2008

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease often has no early symptoms in children or adults, but a fat belly is one signal. And diabetes, high cholesterol, high triglycerides or heart problems often accompany the disease.

As fatty liver disease worsens, these symptoms can appear:

Chronic fatigue or weakness.
Abdominal discomfort, such as cramping or nausea.
Confusion or difficulty thinking.
Bruising or bleeding easily, including nosebleeds.
Reduced appetite and weight loss.

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Concerned parents can request a blood test for liver enzyme levels. Also, a doctor can check the abdomen to see if the liver is enlarged or order a scan or ultrasound.

Those tests can miss problems, however. The most reliable one is a biopsy, in which a small amount of tissue is removed from the liver and studied under a microscope.

To stop or prevent fatty liver disease, patients should:

Exercise and eat a balanced diet to lose weight slowly but steadily.
Control diabetes and cholesterol with medication and diet.
Get vaccinated against hepatitis to prevent further injury to the liver.
Avoid alcohol, drugs and supplements that can damage the liver.
Have a liver specialist oversee your care.
Avoid raw oysters and shellfish, which can harbor bacteria very dangerous to people with advanced liver disease.

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