Fatty liver disease affects about 24% of US adults: Common symptoms of NAFLD young adults should know

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of liver disease in the United States. Also known as Metabolic Dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, the condition develops due to the buildup of excess fat in the liver and affects over 24% of American adults.

As per the institute, the disease is a more common development in people who have certain diseases and conditions including obesity and type 2 diabetes. Research reveals that up to 75% of people who are overweight have the disease along with one-third to two-thirds of people with type 2 diabetes.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is also referred to as a 'silent disease' as many young adults don't realise its existence until it becomes serious. Below, find some symptoms that work as 'warning' signs of the disease.

While the disease has little to almost no symptoms, feeling tired is one of the most common symptoms related to it. If you feel tired and lethargic more than usual and always feel low on energy even after meals and rest, then it could be a sign of the development of NAFLD.

Having discomfort or pain in the upper right side of your abdomen might also signal the presence of the disease. If you feel this dull ache or heaviness especially after eating, then checking with a professional is important.

Those gaining weight in the abdomen in particular and not overall the body might need to think of the development as a symptom. This also includes having difficulty losing weight while adopting all the correct measures.

When the disease advances into NASH or MASH, which is non-alcoholic steatohepatitis or metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis, there can be symptoms like yellowing of the skin and eyes.

People might also experience constantly itchy skin without a cause, swelling in the legs, red palms and spider-like blood vessels just beneath the skin's surface.

Ascites or swelling in the abdomen due to the buildup of fluid in the abdominal cavity is also a symptom of the disease progressing rapidly. This mostly happens due to poor liver function which leads to the accumulation of liquid over time.