Want to know about fatty liver disease?
Fatty liver disease is a common condition caused by the storage of extra fat in the liver.
The good news is you can often prevent or even reverse fatty liver disease with lifestyle changes.
What can cause fatty liver disease?
1. Non-alcohol related
- Having overweight/obesity
- Having diabetes or insulin resistance
- High cholesterol and high triglyceride levels
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Certain medicines
- Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)
- Underactive pituitary gland
- Having a family history of liver disease
- Obstructive sleep apnoea
2. Alcohol related
- Heavy drinking of alcohol
What are the symptoms of fatty liver disease?
People with fatty liver disease often have no symptoms until the disease progresses to cirrhosis. Very few have:
- Abdominal pain or a feeling of fullness
- Nausea, loss of appetite or weight loss
- Yellowish skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice)
- Swollen abdomen and legs (edema)
- Weakness
How is fatty liver disease diagnosed?
- Ultrasound or CT Scan
- Liver biopsy, Fibroscan
- Blood Test
Why is fatty liver disease bad?
Fatty liver disease gets worse over time. It progresses through three stages:
- Steatohepatitis: Your liver becomes inflamed (swollen), which damages its tissue.
- Fibrosis: Scar tissue forms where your liver is damaged.
- Cirrhosis: Extensive scar tissue replaces healthy tissue. Permanent Damage to liver.
Will fatty liver disease kill you?
Fatty liver disease doesn’t cause major problems for most people. However, it can turn into a more serious problem if it progresses into cirrhosis of the liver.
Untreated cirrhosis of the liver eventually leads to liver failure or liver cancer. Your liver is an organ you can’t live without.
Can fatty liver disease be reversed?
Doctors focus on helping you manage factors that contribute to the condition. They also recommend making lifestyle changes that can significantly improve your health.
Doctors may prescribe medication in some cases. Treatment includes:
- Avoiding alcohol.
- Losing weight by dietary modification
- Taking medications to manage diabetes, cholesterol and triglycerides
- Exercise Daily (At least 30 minutes)
Diet for fatty liver disease
- Low fat and Low carbohydrate diet, focusing 7-10% weight reduction
- Avoid Saturated and Trans fat.
How can fatty liver disease be prevented?
The best way to avoid fatty liver disease is to do the things that maintain overall health:
- Stay at a healthy weight. If you have overweight/obesity, lose weight gradually.
- Exercise regularly.
- Limit your alcohol consumption.
- Take medications as prescribed.
