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Fatty liver red flags we miss: How 35-year-old blamed persistent bloating and acidity on spicy meals

Young adults unknowingly ignore early warning signs of fatty liver, mistaking them for everyday lifestyle problems

4 min readUpdated: Jan 20, 2026 08:24 PM IST

The fat layers up around major organs in the abdominal region. (Source: Pexels/ Representational)

By Dr Amogh Dudhwewala

At 35, Meera Sharma (name changed) thought her constant fatigue, recurrent bouts of bloating, gas and feeling full too soon after a meal were just a digestion-related acidity that she had been battling for years. She often blamed it on her flavour buds as she always ate spicy food.

It was only during a routine health check-up that doctors discovered she had non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a condition in which excess fat accumulates in the liver of non-alcoholics. It is closely linked to obesity, insulin resistance, diabetes, high cholesterol and sedentary lifestyles. If left untreated, it can progress to liver inflammation, fibrosis or scarring, cirrhosis or organ damage and even liver cancer. She never suspected fatty liver because she didn’t drink alcohol and considered herself “mostly healthy.” Like Meera, thousands of young adults unknowingly ignore early warning signs of fatty liver, mistaking them for everyday lifestyle problems.

Oh, that’s just gas and acidity

Since the early warning signs may appear subtle at first, they are often misdiagnosed as typical digestive problems. One of the most ignored signs are recurrent bouts of bloating or post-meal discomfort. Fatty liver results from excess amounts of fat stored in the liver causing disruption of normal fat digestion and production of bile, which ultimately affects the body’s ability to digest food efficiently and maintain an appropriate body weight.

Do not ignore recurrent bouts of acidity, heartburn, or nausea.

A dull discomfort comes and goes

Right-sided abdominal discomfort is another overlooked symptom. Mild to moderate abdominal pain, pressure, or discomfort beneath the right rib cage is often misdiagnosed as either gas pain or muscle strain. However, the likelihood of having either of these is not very high. An enlarged or inflamed fatty liver will stretch the capsule surrounding the liver, which creates intense pressure and a dull ache.

I am always exhausted

Unexplained feelings of fatigue or energy deficits are also frequently attributed to many different things (stress, lack of sleep, and/or busy lifestyles). The liver acts as the primary organ responsible for producing energy, as well as detoxifying the body. If there is an increase in fat content in the liver, the liver’s ability to function decreases, resulting in chronic fatigue that doesn’t get better with rest. Many people fail to connect this symptom with the health of their liver.

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Variable bowel function

For some people, changes in their eating habits, recurrent indigestion and variable bowel functions could also be subtle indicators. Having a fatty liver may create a negative impact on how an individual processes fats, which, in turn, creates poor digestive absorption and alters the way their intestines function. Most of the time, people are treated with medication to relieve these symptoms, yet the cause remains unaddressed.

Unexplained weight gain

Insulin resistance linked to fatty liver makes it harder to lose weight, even with diet control. The fat layers up around major organs in the abdominal region.

If gastrointestinal symptoms continue, return frequently and are either accompanied by increased risk factors like obesity, diabetes, elevated cholesterol levels or excessive alcohol consumption, then consult a doctor who will advise tests. Since the liver is a regenerative organ, this condition can be reversed if detected early.

(Dr Amogh Dudhwewala is a senior consultant, gastroenterology, Medanta Hospital, Noida)