Fatty liver, also known as hepatic steatosis, is an increasingly common medical condition that affects millions of people around the world. It is characterized by excessive fat accumulation in liver cells, which can have major health implications if not addressed properly.
In this article, we will explore in detail what it is, its possible symptoms and key recommendations for its prevention and treatment. From its quiet but significant impact to the lifestyle strategies that can make a difference, dive into this comprehensive look at a condition that deserves careful, proactive attention.
What is the fatty liver?
It occurs when there is too much fat in the liver. It is common, especially in diabetic and overweight people. Although it may not cause noticeable symptoms, it can lead to significant health problems. It is essential to adjust your lifestyle to prevent and improve this condition. The liver is the main organ in the body responsible for processing food and waste materials.
A healthy liver contains very little or no fat. If you drink too much alcohol or eat too much, your body converts some of the calories into fat. This adiposity accumulates in hepatocytes. When fat represents more than 5% to 10% of the total weight of the liver, you have fatty liver. This condition is becoming more common as the consumption of added sugars and fats increases. About 1 in 3 Australian adults suffer from it.
What are the symptoms of fatty liver?
Generally, hepatic steatosis does not present obvious signs. People who have symptoms may:
- Feeling tired or generally unwell
- Discomfort in the upper right region of the belly
- Lose weight
Signs that you may have a more serious illness include:
- Yellow eyes and skin (jaundice)
- Bruises
- Dark urine
- Swollen belly
- Vomiting blood
- Black stools
- itchy skin
If you experience any of these signs, it is crucial that you seek medical guidance.
What are the causes of fatty liver?
It is usually due to a combination of factors over a long period of time.
The most common reasons behind fatty liver include:
- Being obese or overweight, especially around the abdomen (tummy)
- Suffering from type 2 diabetes mellitus or insulin resistance
- Having high cholesterol or triglycerides
- Drinking too much alcohol
Other less common causes are:
- underactive thyroid
- Certain medications
- Suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Some people may also suffer from it due to complications that develop late in pregnancy.
There are two main types of fatty liver:
- alcoholic fatty liver
- metabolic fatty liver
Metabolism-associated disease is the most common type of fatty liver disease. Also known as:
- Non-alcoholic hepatic steatosis
This type of fat accumulation in the liver is the result of:
- Overweight or Obesity
- Lack of physical activity
- Alcohol-related fatty liver
Alcohol-related is due to excessive consumption of alcohol for prolonged periods. You are at risk for alcohol-related fatty liver disease if you:
- Drink more than 10 standard drinks a week
- Drinks excessively (more than 4 standard drinks a day)
How is this disease diagnosed?
Your doctor will diagnose fatty liver by talking to you first and then examining you.
You may be asked to have a blood test called a liver function test. With it the health of your liver will be checked. You may also be asked to have a scan, for example:
- ultrasound
- an MRI
If tests show that you have fatty liver, you may need other tests to further study your health. Depending on the test results, your doctor may suggest that you see a gastroenterologist (specialist doctor). In severe cases, the specialist may arrange a liver biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. This will also help them assess the severity of the disease.
How is fatty liver treated?
There are no drugs available to treat the fatty liver condition. Treatment consists of modifying lifestyle. This can improve the disease and even reverse it. If you have a metabolic disease associated with fatty liver, you will probably be advised to:
- Follow a healthy diet and avoid sugar
- Slim down
- exercise regularly
- Control blood sugar
- Treat high cholesterol if you have it
- Avoid medications that can affect the liver
- Don't drink alcohol or drink very little and stop smoking.
If fatty liver is caused by alcohol, the most important thing is to stop drinking. This will prevent your illness from getting worse. For more information, your doctor may refer you to a dietitian, alcoholism or drug addiction specialist.
Can this disease be prevented?
The way to prevent metabolism-related fatty liver disease is to follow the same lifestyle advice given to people who already have it, including:
- Follow a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grains and healthy fats
- keep a healthy weight
- Do not drink alcohol or drink very little
- Doing physical exercise most days of the week is recommended.
- If you don't exercise regularly, talk to your doctor first.
Complications of fatty liver disease
In many people, fatty liver alone does not cause too many problems at first.
It may slowly worsen over time. Excess fat in the liver causes liver inflammation, which eventually leads to scarring (fibrosis) of the liver. It can also lead to more serious chronic liver disease, such as cirrhosis or liver cancer. Some people with severe liver cirrhosis need a liver transplant. People with this condition have an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.