On a hot summer day, feeling drowsy during the afternoons is common. The lethargy can set in without any reason. However, sometimes, it can be due to underlying medical conditions like fatty liver disease, which should not be ignored. Speaking with the OnlyMyHealth editorial team, Dr Suresh D R, Chief of Laboratory, Centralab Metropolis Healthcare Limited, Bengaluru, not only talks about why fatty liver leads to daytime sleepiness, but also discusses other warning signs to watch out for.
What Is Fatty Liver Disease?
Fatty liver disease is a condition that arises due to a build-up of fat in the liver. This could be due to several reasons including an unhealthy diet, obesity and alcohol consumption. There are two types of fatty liver diseases, such as Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (AFLD) and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver disease (NAFLD). While the former occurs due to excessive alcohol consumption, the latter does not occur due to the same reason.
According to a meta-analysis review published in the Journal of Hepatology, the global prevalence of NAFLD is 30% and increasing, which "requires urgent and comprehensive strategies to raise awareness and address all aspects of NAFLD on local, regional, and global levels," says the study authors.
Why Does Fatty Liver Cause Excessive Daytime Drowsiness?
Fatty liver occurs when liver mechanisms for fat production overtakes the fat disposal leading to accumulation of fat within liver cells, explained Dr Suresh.
According to the doctor, excessive daytime sleepiness is a symptom that can be caused due to hereditary, biological, social and environmental factors. “Current lifestyle packaged with stress, prolonged working in shifts, irregular eating, and induced insomnia for entertainment purposes predisposes to obesity and its related metabolic or immune disorders. Inadequate sleep activates brain networks related to hunger and appetite and decreased cognitive function in the cerebral cortex, eventually causing obesity,” he added.
Obesity triggers liver fat storage by altering the intestinal mechanisms to generate inflammatory mediators like tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and C-reactive protein. Obese adipose depots also produce excessive soluble factors (adipokines) that inhibit tissue insulin sensitivity.
“The vicious cycle of insulin resistance and high sugar result in liver fat accumulation. A few studies have also postulated the association of excessive daytime drowsiness with obstructive sleep apnea and hypoventilation during night resulting in reducing melatonin secretion and disrupting circadian rhythm,” the doctor explained. Overall, the sleep disturbance in the night due to underlying pathogenic mechanisms of fatty liver are said to be the reason behind excessive daytime drowsiness.
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Other Warning Symptoms Of Fatty Liver Disease
Fatty liver disease can lead to several symptoms. These include:
- Belly fat
- Headache
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Disturbed sleep
- Mood alterations
- Upper right abdominal pain
- Difficulty in breathing
- Lack of concentration
- Swelling in the neck with difficulty in swallowing (thyroid related)
- Skin discoloration
- Abdominal swelling
- Yellowish eyes (jaundice)
- Painless bleeding
Bottomline
It is best to stay informed about your health. Schedule regular physical examinations and get proper health screenings. Certain diseases can be asymptomatic or certain symptoms may not seem that concerning. However, there is always a risk of complications. Consult your doctor and be vigilant.