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NDTV
6 days ago
- Health
- NDTV
Fatty Liver In Women: Causes & Signs To Watch Out For
Fatty liver is a significant health concern for women, and it's increasingly common due to lifestyle, diet, and hormonal factors. Known medically as hepatic steatosis, fatty liver occurs when excess fat builds up in the liver, which can lead to inflammation, scarring, and even liver failure if left unchecked. Women especially postmenopausal or those with conditions like PCOS or insulin resistance may be more prone to developing it. Early signs can be vague or nonexistent, but recognising symptoms and understanding the causes can help in catching and reversing the condition before it progresses into something more serious. Below we share common causes and signs of fatty liver in women. 10 Common causes and signs of fatty liver in women 1. Abdominal discomfort or fullness Many women with fatty liver feel a dull ache or heaviness in the upper right side of the abdomen, where the liver sits. This discomfort may come and go and is often mistaken for bloating or indigestion. 2. Unexplained fatigue Chronic tiredness is a frequent but subtle sign. A fatty liver can impact energy metabolism, making women feel worn out or sluggish, even after proper rest. 3. Obesity or being overweight Excess body weight especially belly fat is one of the leading causes of fatty liver. Fat stored around the abdomen is closely linked to increased fat accumulation in the liver. 4. Insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes Women with diabetes or pre-diabetes often experience fatty liver due to impaired insulin function. This condition leads to fat being deposited in liver cells more easily. 5. High cholesterol or triglycerides Abnormal blood lipid levels can contribute to fat buildup in the liver. Many women unknowingly have high cholesterol, which worsens liver health over time. 6. Hormonal changes Hormonal shifts during menopause or conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can increase insulin resistance and body fat, raising the risk of fatty liver in women. 7. Rapid weight loss or crash diets Ironically, losing weight too quickly can stress the liver and worsen fat accumulation. This often happens with extreme dieting or fad cleanses, which are more commonly tried by women. 8. Alcohol consumption Even moderate drinking can contribute to fatty liver in some women. While non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is more common, alcohol-related liver damage can also coexist. 9. Dark patches on skin This skin condition, often seen in body folds like the neck or armpits, can be a visual clue of insulin resistance, a major factor in fatty liver disease. 10. Elevated liver enzymes on a blood test Often, fatty liver is discovered when routine blood work shows elevated liver enzymes, like ALT or AST. Though this isn't a symptom you feel, it's a red flag that the liver is under stress. Addressing fatty liver early through weight management, a balanced diet, regular exercise, and avoiding alcohol can help reverse the condition. Women should also monitor hormone and blood sugar levels, especially during and after menopause. A liver-friendly lifestyle goes a long way in protecting long-term health. Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for a qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Mom welcomes triplets after 10 years of thinking she couldn't have any more kids
An Alabama mom welcomed triplets this year after thinking for nearly 10 years that she couldn't have any more kids. Brittany Ingram, 36, and her husband Josh Ingram, 34, of Deatsville, Alabama, had their eldest child, a son named JB, in 2015. In February this year, the couple welcomed identical triplet daughters Emersyn Claire, Adalyn Renae and Layla Michele. Brittany Ingram's triplet pregnancy was a shock the couple hadn't seen coming. However, the mom of four said she had dreamt she would have triplets before her doctor confirmed her second pregnancy. "I had a dream we were having triplets. I woke up and told my husband … He said, 'Oh my gosh. What would we do? Don't dream stuff like that,'" Ingram recalled to "Good Morning America." "When we went to [get] the … ultrasound … [the doctor] said, 'There's three babies. I've never seen this before. We studied about it in school but we've never seen three babies.'" 2 sets of triplets born months apart to different families share same last name "[My husband and I] were both just, like, excited, scared and it took us a few days to process it," she continued. "None of our family believed us when we came home and told them." The family had a valid reason to be shocked by the happy news. Ingram said she had been diagnosed with endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, in 2015, conditions where there is abnormal tissue growth in the uterus and cysts develop on the ovaries. Both endometriosis and PCOS can impact a woman's reproductive health and lead to infertility, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The stay-at-home mom told "GMA" she underwent a laparoscopy to remove cysts in 2015, and when she and her husband got pregnant naturally the first time, they were surprised. Ingram said doctors then told her she would have to undergo more surgeries or turn to fertility treatments in the future if she wanted to get pregnant again. "After JB, we tried again a few more times, and I had a miscarriage, and it just didn't work -- and that was so heartbreaking," said Ingram. "We were just kind of leaving it up to God, and saying, 'If it's meant to be, it'll be. If it's not, it won't,'" she added. "So, after 10 years, we just thought JB was going to be our one and only [child]." In August 2024, everything changed for the Ingrams. Brittany Ingram took a pregnancy test the week of her 36th birthday and then visited her obstetrician to confirm she was indeed pregnant, where she learned she was expecting triplets. Ingram's triplet pregnancy was considered high-risk because of her higher maternal age and the type of triplet pregnancy she had, according to Dr. Ayodeji Sanusi, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and one of Ingram's doctors, who called the pregnancy "extremely rare." Fewer triplets are being born in the US. Researchers have a theory as to why "All three babies shared a single placenta -- a condition known as monochorionic triamniotic triplets," Sanusi told "GMA" via email. "This occurs when one fertilized egg splits twice, resulting in three fetuses with one shared placenta. It's an extremely rare phenomenon, with an estimated incidence of only 1 in 100,000 to 200,000 pregnancies." Ingram said at 19 weeks, doctors told her to go on bed rest, and then at 22 weeks, she went into early labor. Doctors treated her with a cerclage, a type of surgery where surgeons temporarily sew the cervix closed to help prolong a pregnancy, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. "In select cases -- like Brittany's -- when the cervix begins to dilate painlessly in the second trimester, limited data suggest that cerclage placement may help prolong the pregnancy," said Sanusi. "After a thorough and thoughtful discussion with her and her partner about the risks, benefits, and uncertainties of cerclage in this context, they chose to proceed. We believe the cerclage played a significant role in helping her carry the pregnancy to 30 weeks, when the babies were safely delivered." Ingram said after delivery, she experienced complications, including postpartum preeclampsia, cardiomyopathy and heart failure, so she was re-admitted to the hospital for treatment, and doctors were able to stabilize her and prescribe her medications. The triplets also had to stay in the hospital's neonatal intensive care unit for about two months before they could go home. Now, Ingram said the triplets are all "perfectly healthy," according to their pediatrician, and all four of the Ingram kids are adjusting to their new life together. For other families facing infertility, Ingram said she wanted to share her story to encourage them to have hope. "Don't give up. There's always hope," she said. "Just because it's not on your timing doesn't mean it's not ever going to happen."
BusinessToday
01-07-2025
- Health
- BusinessToday
Fertility, Fear and the Unexpected Rise of Endometrial Cancer in Young Women
Doctor holding Peach ribbon with Uterus and Ovaries model for September Uterine Cancer Awareness month. Endometriosis, Hysterectomy, Uterine fibroids, Reproductive, Healthcare and World cancer day Endometrial cancer is on the rise. Once considered a disease that mainly affected older, postmenopausal women, it is now the fifth most common cancer among Malaysian women, with a prevalence rate of 5.6%. Increasingly, women under 50 are receiving this diagnosis. For many, it brings not only health concerns but also difficult questions about fertility and the future. Dr Andi Anggeriana Binti Andi Asri, based at Sunway Medical Centre in Sunway City, sees this trend first-hand. As a Consultant in Obstetrics, Gynaecology, and Gynae-Oncology, she sheds light on what's driving the increase—and how advances like robotic-assisted surgery are changing treatment. Dr Asri highlights that endometrial cancer can be particularly insidious in its early stages. 'Abnormal uterine bleeding, whether postmenopausal or otherwise, is the most common symptom,' she explains. Other warning signs include pelvic pain, unexplained weight loss, pain or difficulty during urination or intercourse, and unusual vaginal discharge. She has observed a noticeable increase in younger patients, some even in their early 30s, being diagnosed with this cancer. This shift is alarming not only for its impact on health but also for the potential threat to fertility—a major concern for many women in this age group. A range of lifestyle and hormonal factors appear to be contributing to this trend. Obesity, sedentary habits, and conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are known to elevate oestrogen levels, which in turn can thicken the uterine lining and increase cancer risk. 'Many young women come in for fertility or hormonal consultations, only to be diagnosed with endometrial cancer. It's a life-altering discovery,' adds Dr Andi. When it comes to treatment, early detection is crucial. For women diagnosed at an early stage, fertility-sparing options such as hormonal therapy may be possible, but these require careful monitoring and carry the risk of recurrence. In some early-stage cases, fertility-sparing treatments are possible. 'Women diagnosed early may be eligible for hormonal therapy to manage the cancer while preserving the uterus,' says Dr Andi. However, she cautions that this option requires stringent medical monitoring and carries a risk of recurrence. For women who must undergo a hysterectomy or other fertility-ending treatments, the psychological impact can be profound. 'It's heartbreaking. Many haven't started or completed their families, and the loss of fertility adds another layer to the emotional strain,' Dr Andi notes. Comprehensive emotional support is therefore a crucial part of the treatment journey. Recent advancements such as robotic-assisted surgery offer significant benefits, including greater precision, smaller incisions, and faster recovery times. 'Robotic-assisted surgery offers greater precision, smaller incisions, and faster recovery times compared to traditional surgery, resulting in less scarring, reduced pain, and a quicker return to normal activities for women of all ages,' Dr Andi notes. With more young women at risk, awareness and timely diagnosis are more critical than ever. Dr Andi encourages regular gynaecological check-ups, particularly for those with obesity, PCOS, or a family history of cancer. 'It's not uncommon for patients to come in for fertility assessments and leave with a cancer diagnosis,' she says. Recognising symptoms such as abnormal bleeding—even among younger women—is essential. Endometrial cancer can no longer be seen solely as a disease of older women. The growing number of younger patients is a signal to the healthcare community and the public alike. While advancements such as robotic-assisted surgery offer hope for more effective treatment, early detection remains the most powerful tool. Dr Andi sums it up: 'Awareness and timely intervention are our best tools in the fight against endometrial cancer. The earlier, the better, so you can live a longer and fuller life.' Related
Indian Express
26-06-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
How novel weight loss drugs help 40-year-old lose 16 kg over a year: First she was on semaglutide pill, then Mounjaro shots
For the first time, 40-year-old Manmeet Bindra feels motivated to exercise and has set up a home gym, cleaned up her diet and has more energy to ride out her 10 am to 7 pm work days and the pressure of deadlines. Tired of seeing the weighing scale needle tipping over the 90 kg mark and her blood sugar levels spiral despite fad diets, gym routines and natural supplements, she is now 74 kg. For the past year, she had been on the oral weight loss drug semaglutide (Rybelsus) but since she couldn't tolerate its side effects well, has had better results with tirzepatide (Mounjaro) this year. 'I needed that one push to get off the weight plateau, steel my mind and focus on getting better and be disease-free. Mounjaro accelerated the process,' says Bindra, who has battled uncontrolled diabetes, PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), hypothyroidism and fatty liver because of her weight. Her appetite has now gone down by 30-40 per cent, her binge cravings are zero and she has managed to tame the 'food noise' that made her peckish through the day. Food was not just her pleasure but escapism, something that Dr Jasjeet Singh Wasir, her endocrinologist and diabetologist at Medanta, understood when she consulted him last year. That's why he put her on a new class of weight loss drugs. Her blood sugar readings are better and her HbA1c (average blood sugar count of three months) has gone down from 8 per cent to 7.3 per cent (normal is less than 5.6 per cent). The new drugs are more than a life-saver for people like Bindra as they help them eliminate several obesity-related risk factors. The GLP-1 receptor agonists mimic natural gut hormones responsible for blood sugar and appetite control, such as semaglutide – the active ingredient in Wegovy. It improves secretion of insulin, inhibits glucose production in the liver and slows down digestion. Tirzepatide, sold as Mounjaro, additionally mimics the GIP hormone, primarily by stimulating insulin release from the pancreas. GIP also influences lipid metabolism. THE INSIDIOUS WEIGHT GAIN Bindra never realised how a sedentary lifestyle, long work hours, performance anxiety and stress-eating had turned into belly fat. Then she gained weight all over. After developing Covid in 2020 and 2022, her random blood tests showed a blood glucose level of 190 mg/dL and a HbA1c count of 5.8 per cent. In April 2023, during her executive health check-up, she was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes as her HbA1c shot up to 8.4 per cent. Looking at her body weight, family history of diabetes and her dual role as professional and caregiver for her parents, Dr Wasir put her on oral semaglutide or Rybelsus pills, mainly to control her diabetes though it also helps in some weight loss. According to randomised controlled trials, one starts losing weight immediately after taking Rybelsus. After one month, the average weight loss on Rybelsus is around 2 kg; after two months, it's over 3 kg. THE SIDE EFFECTS OF A PILL 'I constantly had nausea, vomitting, diarrhoea, fatigue, constipation and headaches. My body simply did not take to semaglutide,' says Bindra. Then Dr Wasir put her on the injectable tirzepatide. 'Around 300 patients of mine on weight loss pills had extreme gastric symptoms. The same patients are tolerating the injectable Mounjaro better,' he says. Since Mounjaro mimics two hormones involved in appetite regulation and glucose control, this dual action may result in more significant weight loss and potentially better blood sugar control. This can indirectly improve overall tolerability. However, Dr Wasir attributes tolerability to the grading of doses. Most of his patients begin from 2.5 or 5 mg, which is a kind of stage one and stage two doses. Then it goes up to 7.5 mg and a maximum dose of 15 mg. 'It's still very early for us to arrive at an observation,' he says. BEGINNING WITH MOUNJARO Bindra started with a low 1.25 mg dose. Once she could tolerate it, Dr Wasir upgraded the dose to 2.5 mg. But at the same time, he insisted she make lifestyle changes, particularly her diet and exercise. 'I cut down on junk food, fried items and oily meals. I used to binge-eat when I was stressed and that's significantly reduced now. I am into plant proteins,' she adds. Now Bindra focusses on simple, home-cooked foods that keep her stomach happy. 'Looking back, that kick we seek in our food rather than exercising was the reason I always craved the spicier and heavier chole bhature or rajma rice. This dietary shift has influenced some of my health markers, too,' she says. Mounjaro has been an effective appetite suppressant. 'I used to eat two rotis but now I'm comfortable with one. I can portion-control. Interestingly, I no longer feel as hungry as before or feel dizzy. I have given up alcohol too, though I was nothing beyond a social drinker,' says Bindra. WATCH OUT FOR MUSCLE LOSS AFTER USING MOUNJARO For Dr Wasir, the key challenge remains her protein intake, now that she only has plant proteins. 'There's always a risk of muscle loss alongside fat loss, which can be hard to reverse. We're working on optimizing her protein intake to support muscle health during weight loss,' he adds. On her part, Bindra never misses her strength training sessions. 'I repeat it at every visit — your investment in muscle is as important as your medication,' says Dr Wasir. DO THE DRUGS NEED TO BE TAKEN INDEFINITELY? Dr Wasir says clinical trials for both semaglutide and tirzepatide have lasted between 72 and 88 weeks. But they don't provide a clear answer on how long treatment should continue. Trials show taking off the drug midway leads to weight regain. 'Based on current evidence, these medications appear to be intended for long-term use. As for long-term efficacy, we rely on two things: the duration of clinical trials and real-world experience after approval. For example, even if a drug was trialled for two years, if it has been used safely for five years since, we consider that seven years of practical experience,' he adds.
Time Magazine
13-05-2025
- Health
- Time Magazine
What to Do If You Get Diagnosed with an Ovarian Cyst
Ovarian cysts, which are small fluid-filled sacs that develop in or on the ovaries, are very common and are usually harmless. In fact, 'the process of ovulation—maturing an egg and releasing it—basically makes at least a little cyst, which pops when the egg is released, and then these cysts resolve,' explains Dr. Mary Jane Minkin, an ob-gyn at Yale Medicine. These are often called 'functional cysts,' and they usually go away on their own. Other types of ovarian cysts include hemorrhagic cysts (which bleed and cause pain), dermoid cysts (which may contain skin cells and sebaceous glands), and endometriomas (which are filled with dark, thick blood and develop as a result of endometriosis). Ovarian cysts also can occur with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), but they don't always. Here's what to know about ovarian cysts. How ovarian cysts affect women Most ovarian cysts are the size of a grape or cherry and don't cause symptoms. But cysts that grow quickly can cause pain in the pelvis near the hipbone and a feeling of persistent pressure. 'This discomfort can be intermittent or constant and may feel sharp or dull,' says Dr. Kelli V. Burroughs, an ob-gyn at UT Health—University of Texas Medical School at Houston. By contrast, cysts that rupture or burst can cause intense pelvic pain and sometimes slight bleeding, says Minkin. 'The pain will get better as the fluid gets absorbed by the lining of the abdominal cavity.' Read More: Can You Actually Delay Menopause? Also, with a complication called ovarian torsion, the ovary can become twisted around the supporting tissue if a cyst gets large, says Dr. Michael B. Baldonieri, an ob-gyn at the Case Western University School of Medicine. 'This can cause unrelenting, severe lower pelvic pain, along with nausea and vomiting.' This is considered a medical emergency because a torsion can cut off the blood supply to the ovary, causing the ovary to die if it's not surgically untwisted. How most ovarian cysts are treated What an ovarian cyst looks like on a transvaginal ultrasound and how it's affecting a woman helps determine how it's treated, says Dr. Daniel Ginn, an assistant clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at UCLA. If it looks like a collection of fluid in a small pouch or balloon and if the woman has minimal or no symptoms, a doctor may recommend 'watchful waiting'—monitoring symptoms and repeating a pelvic ultrasound every six to eight weeks to see if the cyst has changed in size. During an ultrasound, a clinician will assess the size and structure of the mass, where it's located, and any other notable features, 'all of which can help differentiate benign from potentially malignant growths,' Burroughs says. Women with ovarian cysts often worry that they could be a sign of ovarian cancer. While that's possible, it's not common. If a mass on the ovary has solid components as well as fluid, it could be a sign of ovarian cancer. 'An ultrasound usually gives us a good idea if the cyst has some solid components,' says Minkin. But if the cyst is clearly fluid-filled and hasn't changed over time, the risk of cancer is low, even among older women. A study in a 2024 issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology found that among women ages 50 and older who had stable ovarian cysts detected on ultrasound, the risk of ovarian cancer was 0.27% over a follow-up period of 3.5 years. On the other hand, 'cysts that get bigger are concerning,' says Ginn. And 'if there's abnormal blood flow through a cyst or fingerlike projections at the periphery of a cyst, that's more concerning.' In these instances, a doctor may order blood tests to measure cancer antigen 125 (CA 125, for short), a protein that's often elevated when someone has ovarian cancer, and other tumor markers. If a cyst's appearance raises concerns—especially if the woman has elevated CA 125 levels—she will likely be referred to a gynecologic oncologist for specialized evaluation and treatment. If an ovarian cyst isn't causing symptoms or only mild ones, it may not need to be treated and can simply be monitored over time. 'Two-thirds of ovarian cysts are going to resolve on their own,' Ginn says. How to feel better For ovarian cysts that cause pain, medications such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or another non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drug can help, Baldonieri says. So can applying a heat or ice pack—whichever feels better to you—to the painful area. If a cyst is large enough or causing serious discomfort, it can be removed through laparoscopic surgery, which is performed with small incisions through the abdomen, Ginn says. 'Ovarian preservation is always a priority so you can keep your hormones, which are important for heart health, bone health, and cognition.' For women who frequently get large or painful cysts, 'we try to suppress ovulation, which is why ovarian cysts emerge in the first place,' says Ginn. This is usually done with oral contraceptives (or their hormonal equivalent), which can help prevent new cysts from forming.
