You’ve probably had the unpleasant taste of acid reflux at some point. It can be caused by things like stress, and certain foods and drinks like coffee, alcohol, and chocolate. But research suggests that it can also be a sign of fatty liver disease – especially if it happens regularly.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is when you get acid reflux regularly. According to Mayo Clinic, it can include symptoms such as “heartburn” that usually comes after eating and “might be worse at night or while lying down”.
Acid reflux happens when stomach acid moves back to your oesophagus, the part of your throat that carries food from your mouth down to your stomach.
One recent study found that 83 percent of people with end-stage fatty liver disease – known as cirrhosis – had gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Cirrhosis is when your liver has become scarred because of long-term damage due to the buildup of fat in your liver or other problems. During this stage, your liver can stop functioning properly or even fail — which can be life-threatening.
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If it does show symptoms, as well as acid reflux, you could develop abdominal pain, extreme tiredness, unexplained weight loss, and weakness, according to the NHS.
If you think that you have the main symptoms of cirrhosis: jaundice, itchy skin, and swelling around your body, you should visit your doctor.
They will provide you with tests to find out if you have the condition. And if the tests come back positive, they “should” send you to a liver specialist.
According to the NHS, you should also visit the doctor if you experience heartburn most of the time for three weeks.
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