Many people associate any liver problems with someone who has drunk too much alcohol during their lives since alcohol damages the liver. But for some people who have never drunk alcohol or who only enjoy it occasionally, they still find themselves suffering from an unhealthy liver that affects their quality of life and puts them at risk for other health issues.
Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease occurs when too much fat accumulates in the liver. It usually occurs in people who are obese and is more common now than it’s ever been in history. In fact, Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease is the most common type of liver disease in the world. It can range from fairly mild to a more severe state of the disease called nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). When nonalcoholic fatty liver disease transitions into NASH, the liver becomes permanently damaged from the fat deposits in the liver and begins to swell. Without proper treatment and management, the diseased liver can go into failure or liver cancer may develop.
Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Symptoms
The early symptoms of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease are fairly mild and for a lot of people, they may just blow them off or blame them on another health condition. Its symptoms can include feelings of extreme fatigue, general feelings of being unwell or having malaise most of the time, and pain or discomfort around the upper belly area.
If nonalcoholic fatty liver disease progresses to NASH or cirrhosis of the liver, the symptoms will get worse and more noticeable to your elderly loved one.
- His abdomen may begin to swell (also known as ascites)His skin may become consistently itchy and dry
- He might notice he cannot catch his breath or that he feels like he’s constantly short of breath.
- Spider-like blood vessels may begin to appear just under the skin’s surface.
- His legs may get swollen and pants or shoes may not fit like they used to. They may also feel heavy and difficult to move easily.
- The palms of his hands may become red.
- In extreme cases, his skin and the whites of his eyes may become yellow, indicating that jaundice has set in.
When Fatigue Makes Getting Housework Done Difficult
One of the main symptoms of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is that it may make your elderly loved one extremely fatigued, especially if he has other health issues as well, which many of those who have nonalcoholic fatty liver disease do. That fatigue can affect your loved one’s quality of life if it’s getting in the way of performing daily activities such as making a healthy meal or cleaning the house regularly.
A senior home care team can help while your loved one seeks treatment for his Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. With senior home care, someone can come to the home and help prepare meals for your loved one based on doctor’s recommendations as well as help with housework around his home so that he doesn’t get too far behind in keeping his home clean and safe. Having Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease doesn’t mean your loved one can no longer live independently, he might just need a little assistance from someone like a senior home care provider to support him.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Senior Home Care in Springfield, VA, please contact the caring staff at Access Home Care Inc today! Call (703) 765-9350
Access Home Care provider in Arlington, Alexandria, Leesburg, Reston, Herndon, Manassas, Ashburn, Falls Church, McLean, Lorton, Springfield, Woodbridge, Fairfax, Virginia and the surrounding communities.
“My desire to enter into nursing started when one of my older sisters died of kidney disease due to lack of care. At age 15, I decided to enter into nursing so that I could provide quality care to patients.Upon arrival in United States at 21 years of age, I enrolled in T.C Willliams School of Practical Nursing while working as a nursing assistant at a nursing home. I also worked as a part-time home health aide to take of the elderly. After completion of my practical nurse education, I worked in geriatric psychiatry unit at Dominion Hospital and Arlington Correctional facility mental health unit.
I completed Marymount University in 2001 and entered into Home Care as a field case manager.
I held that position for 2 years and as an Administrator, and for another 2 years until Access Home Care was found in 2004."
Today, Access Home Care has over 300 employees and 286 clients.
- How Arthritis Affects Seniors Living Alone - January 7, 2026
- A Closer Look at Compassionate In-Home Care for Adults with IDD - December 18, 2025
- Winter Skin Care Tips for the Elderly: Home Care Can Help - December 4, 2025
