The largest internal and one of the most important organs in the body is the liver, according to MedlinePlus. The liver converts digested food into energy and also removes toxic substances and alcohol from the body. Another important liver function is bile production. Bile is the yellowish, greenish substance that aids in digestion. Under normal circumstances, a healthy liver has the ability to grow back and regenerate. Sometimes, the liver can become fatty; there are several signs if this occurs.
Spider-like Blood Vessels
The appearance spider-like blood vessels is one of the possible signs of a fatty liver, according to the American Liver Organization, an organization supported by the National Institutes of Health. A fatty liver, or steatohepatitis, tends to develop in patients who are diabetic, obese and overweight. High cholesterol and triglyceride levels are also among the major contributing factors. In steatohepatitis, the liver swells and becomes inflamed. This swelling will eventually lead to liver scarring, or cirrhosis, which is irreversible. Spider-like blood vessels can appear on the skin, face and cheeks. The excessive dilation and expansion of blood vessels contributes to the spider-like appearance. One of the reasons for excessive blood vessel dilation is the liver's inability to detoxify substances, toxins and hormones like estrogen in women.
Jaundice
Jaundice is among the signs of a fatty liver, notes the American Liver Organization. Jaundice is the yellowish discoloration of the skin, nail beds and eyes. It is caused by excessive amounts of bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin is the yellow chemical found in hemoglobin, the blood component that carries and transports oxygen. One of the important functions of the liver is to break down mature red blood cells in order to make way for the formation of new ones. A liver that is fatty, diseased or scarred cannot handle red blood cell breakdown properly, causing bilirubin buildup and jaundice.
Enlarged Abdomen
Enlargement of the abdomen, also known as ascites, is one of the possible signs of a fatty liver, according to the National Digestive Information Clearinghouse. Fluid buildup makes the abdomen appear large, as well as feel hard and tender. Fluid buildup happens when there's a disruption in the liver's osmotic pressure, possibly caused by fatty deposits. Under normal circumstances, the liver's osmotic pressure maintains proper liver fluid exchange and prevents leaks and seeps.
