As lifestyle diseases like obesity, diabetes, and certain heart health issues rise, many people are worried about their declining health and how to fix it. Another such disease is fatty liver disease, also known as Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)

According to a 2021 study, out of an estimate from 2903 children and 23,581 adult participants, the overall estimated average of NAFLD was 38.6%.

Fatty liver disease happens when too much fat builds up in your liver. If we catch it early, this condition is usually not a big health risk and can often be cured easily.

However, if left untreated, it can cause a lot of problems. To tackle this and catch this disease early, one must learn how to identify the symptoms of fatty liver. To help with this, Dr. Pradip Vekariya, Gastroenterologist, posted a video on his social media handle. In the caption he wrote, “1 in 3 Indians has fatty liver — are you one of them? Fatty liver can silently progress to liver cirrhosis if ignored.” He then pointed out an early symptom that can help you get an early diagnosis and avoid the later consequences, which is Pedal edema (swollen feet).

Are Swollen Feet A Sign of Fatty Liver?

If you notice swelling in your feet and ankles—a condition doctors call pedal edema—it might be more than just tired legs. This swelling can often be an early sign that your liver is in trouble. This is a sign that soon things will become worse.

If the disease gets worse, the liver becomes inflamed and damaged. Over time, healthy liver tissue is replaced with scar tissue, which stops the liver from working properly. When this severe, permanent damage occurs, it's called liver cirrhosis. This is dangerous and can lead to liver failure or even liver cancer.

How Swelling Is A Sign Of Liver Damage

As fatty liver disease moves into the serious stage of liver cirrhosis, you often start to notice swelling in different parts of your body. This happens because the liver is no longer working properly. Here are some other body parts that also may be affected with swelling according to National Health Services UK.

Abdomen (Ascites)

One of the clearest signs of advanced liver disease is swelling in the belly, known as ascites. Because the pressure is so high, fluid leaks directly out of the blood vessels and collects inside the abdomen. This causes the belly to look swollen and feel uncomfortable.

Legs, Ankles, and Feet (Edema)

The increased pressure also pushes fluid out in other areas. This commonly causes swelling in the legs and ankles, which is called edema. Since gravity pulls the fluid down, the feet often swell too.

Hands and Arms

Fluid retention caused by liver problems and high pressure can also cause your hands to swell, making them look puffy and bloated.

Chest and Breasts (In Men)

In men, severe liver disease can upset the balance of hormones in the body. This hormonal change can lead to a condition called gynecomastia, which is when the breast tissue becomes enlarged. This issue may also be connected to a loss of sex drive and problems having children.

How To Manage Fatty Liver?

If you notice unexplained swelling in any of these areas, it is crucial to see a doctor immediately. While swelling can signal liver disease, it can also be caused by other serious conditions like heart or kidney failure. A doctor will perform tests (like blood work and imaging) to find the exact cause and get you the right treatment. It is very important to get an early diagnosis to prevent fatty liver disease from getting worse. The best way to manage it, especially in the early stages, is through lifestyle changes:

• Adopt a healthy diet.
• Exercise regularly.
• Avoid drinking alcohol.

Who is eligible for covid shot 2025: This year, there has been a “significant change” in who can get the COVID vaccine, according to Community Pharmacy England (CPE). The updated eligibility rules have caused confusion among the public and, in some cases, led to abusive behaviour towards pharmacy staff. Pharmacy teams report that up to half of the patients booked through the NHS National Booking Service (NBS) aren’t eligible, while some ineligible individuals have been sent by their GPs. The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) describes the situation as “deeply frustrating” for both patients and pharmacists.

Who Is Eligible for the COVID Vaccine In the UK This Winter?

This winter, the NHS is offering the COVID vaccine to:

• People aged 75 and over
• Anyone aged six months to 74 with a weakened immune system
• Residents of care homes for older adults

Getting vaccinated this autumn helps protect against serious illness from COVID over the winter months.

How to Book the Vaccine?

Flu Jab Eligibility

More people qualify for the flu jab, including:

• Those over 65
• People with long-term health conditions
• Pregnant women
• All primary school children
• Secondary school children in years 7–11
• Frontline healthcare workers
• Care home residents
• Certain carers or people living with someone with a weakened immune system

Why Are Some Booking Errors Happening?

Confusion has arisen because the online system allows patients to book COVID and flu vaccines at the same time. Henry Gregg, chief executive of the NPA, said:

“This situation should have been avoidable and is very frustrating for both pharmacies and patients. We ask that patients treat pharmacy staff with respect as they navigate the new NHS rules. We’ve raised the issue with NHS England and the Department of Health and hope for a quick resolution.”

What Is the Autumn Booster?

By autumn, protection from earlier COVID vaccines can start to wane. For those at higher risk of severe illness, the NHS provides a free autumn booster.

The current vaccines continue to provide strong protection against hospitalisation and serious disease. Data from UKHSA shows that people who received a booster last autumn were around 43% less likely to be admitted to hospital with COVID-19, starting two weeks after vaccination, compared to those who remained unvaccinated.

Many of our essential workers work on their feet all day long. People in the service industry also often work for long hours with no breaks, let alone resting their feet. However, is that healthy?

Studies like the 2015 research published in the Rehabilitation Nursing journal spending too much time standing at work can severely affect your life. It can lead to problems like lower back and leg pain, potential issues with your heart and blood flow, feeling of fatigue or extreme tiredness, and general discomfort, etc.

However, you cannot abandon your responsibilities - and so how can you protect your health? To help people who might face these issues, Dr. Rema Malik, Board certified specialist in Vascular Surgery, released a video detailing her ‘non-negotiable rules’ that protect her leg health as well as help her combat burnout.

In the post caption, Dr Rema explained, “For every nurse, teacher, stylist, and chef in Houston, here are my top 3 non-negotiable rules from a vascular surgeon to protect your leg health and prevent burnout. You spend 8, 10, even 12 hours a day on your feet, taking care of everyone else. By the time you get home, your legs are aching, heavy, and swollen. This is not "just part of the job."”

To help these workers not just get through their shifts but also protect their long-term health, Dr Rema has offered three essential, non-negotiable rules for better leg health.

Rule 1: Make Compression Your Essential Gear

Compression is Your Uniform. This is the single most important thing you can do, and it is not optional. You must wear medical-grade compression socks (15-20 mmHg) every single day.

Why it works: These socks are your first and best defence against the constant downward pull of gravity. They gently squeeze your legs, which helps your veins push blood back toward your heart. The socks also help stop blood from pooling and prevent the damage that leads to heavy, swollen legs.

Rule 2: Take a Mid-Shift Reboot

The Mid-Shift Reset. During your break, you must find just two minutes to perform a mandatory reboot for your legs. Don't just sit down.

What to do: Do 20 deep calf raises - which means standing on your toes, and 10 ankle rotations in each direction.

Why it works: Your calf muscles are often called your "second heart." These exercises squeeze your veins and immediately pump out the stagnant blood that has pooled in your lower legs, giving you a quick relief.

Rule 3: Drain Your Legs After Work

The 10-Minute Post-Shift Drain. The second you walk through the door after your shift—before you start cooking, cleaning, or sitting on the couch—you need to lie down for a bit.

What to do: Lie on the floor and prop your legs straight up against a wall for at least 10 minutes.

Why it works: This simple act immediately reverses the gravitational pull of the entire workday. It provides instant relief and helps drain any fluid that has built up, which is crucial for long-term vein health.

Following these three rules is important at any age, but it becomes absolutely essential after 30 years. By taking these steps, you prevent the constant stress that leads to chronic venous insufficiency and painful varicose veins.

Vitamin B12 deficiency is a problem that many people face in the world, however it is not highlighted as much. According to a 2019 study published in the Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism, the prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency in tier 3 cities of India was 47.19%. While it may be common, not many people know important signs of it. One such sign that shows up at night is, night sweats.

Often missed or mistaken, a deficiency in vitamin B12 or vitamin B9 (folate) causes a type of anemia. This condition happens when your body produces red blood cells that are abnormally large and cannot work correctly.

There are many missed or overlooked signs of vitamin B12 deficiency, a few of which show up at night or when you are sleeping. According to a 2015 study published in the Electronic Journal of General Medicine in some patients, the main signs of this deficiency were very severe drenching night sweats and extreme fatigue.

Are Night Sweats A Sign of Vitamin B12 Deficiency?

According to the Scottish Medical Journal, vitamin B12 deficiency is a common problem that can affect your nervous system in many ways. Sometimes, it can cause problems with your body's automatic functions, like sweating.

The study dealt with three different cases where patients suffered from drenching night sweats (meaning they sweated heavily at night). Doctors believed the severe sweating was caused by their low vitamin B12 levels.

After all three patients were treated with vitamin B12 shots, their night sweats and other symptoms improved dramatically and quickly. This suggests that intense night sweats can be a sign of a vitamin B12 shortage.

Such cases were also noted in the 2015 study. A 57-year-old man was sent to a specialist because he had been struggling with severe night sweats for about three to four years. The sweating was so heavy that he had to change his bedsheets almost every night.

Based on a key finding of high homocysteine levels—a sign that the body might not be using Vitamin B12 correctly, even if the vitamin's blood level was fine—doctors decided to try B12 treatment.

He was given Vitamin B12 shots daily for one week, followed by monthly shots. The results were dramatic: the patient reported that his severe sweating started to clear up after just the second injection. Three months later, he was checked again and was completely symptom-free. The vitamin B12 injections fixed his long-standing sweating problem.

Other Signs of Vitamin B12 Deficiency

The symptoms of a vitamin B12 or folate deficiency can start slowly and get worse if not treated. While fatigue (feeling weak or tired) is common, the NHS highlights other important signs. According to the UK National Health Service (NHS), the symptoms of a vitamin B12 or folate deficiency can start slowly and get worse if not treated. While fatigue (feeling weak or tired) is common, other symptoms can feel like stress or anxiety, such as heart palpitations (a rapid or irregular heartbeat). The list of potential symptoms includes:

• Palpitations (fast, pounding heart)
• Rapid breathing or shortness of breath
• Headaches
• Indigestion or loss of appetite
• Diarrhoea
• A sore or red tongue, sometimes with mouth ulcers
• Problems with vision
• Cognitive changes (issues with memory, thinking, or judgment

A vitamin B12 deficiency can also cause symptoms that affect your nervous system (brain and nerves):

• Numbness or pins and needle
• Muscle weakness
• Psychological problems like mild depression, anxiety, confusion, or even dementia
• Problems with balance and coordination
• Incontinence (loss of bladder control)

What Foods Can Help You Tackle Vitamin B12 Deficiency?

To help prevent a deficiency, make sure you include these foods in your diet:

• Meat and fish
• Eggs
• Dairy products (milk, cheese, etc.)
• Specially fortified foods (like certain breakfast cereals)