What is Fatty Liver Disease: Symptoms, Causes, & Treatment

Did you know that fatty liver problems are becoming increasingly common in India? Fatty liver disease describes a range of conditions that lead to a build-up of fat within liver cells. It can occur due to alcohol abuse (alcoholic steatohepatitis) or non-alcoholic causes (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, NAFLD).

While many people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease do not develop serious liver problems, it’s essential to understand the possible risks and fatty liver symptoms associated with this condition. In some people, the build-up of fat in the liver can lead to serious liver disease. Everyone with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is more likely to develop cardiovascular problems (heart attacks and stroke).
In this article, we’ll dive into everything you need to know about fatty liver problems and symptoms and what you can do to manage your risk.

What is Fatty Liver Disease and Its Types?

Steatosis, also known as fatty liver disease, is a prevalent condition brought on by an accumulation of too much fat in the liver. There is a tiny amount of fat in a healthy liver. When fat amounts to 5% to 10% of your liver’s weight, it becomes an issue. Fatty liver problems primarily have two kinds:

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by fat accumulation in the liver of individuals who do not consume much alcohol. You might be diagnosed with NAFLD if you have too much fat in your liver and no history of abusing alcohol heavily. The disease is referred to as simple NAFLD when there is no inflammation or other complications.

Alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD)

Excessive alcohol consumption harms the liver. Alcohol-related liver disease’s initial stage is alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD). If there’s no inflammation or other difficulties, these fatty liver problems are known as simple alcoholic fatty liver.

Acute fatty liver of pregnancy (AFLP)

When too much fat accumulates in the liver during pregnancy, it is known as acute fatty liver pregnancy (AFLP). It’s a severe pregnancy complication that is rare. Genetics may play a role, though the exact reason is unclear. AFLP usually shows up during the third stage of pregnancy. It gives significant health risks to the mother and child if left untreated.

What Causes Fatty Liver Disease?

Some individuals develop fatty liver problems completely out of the blue. However, the following risk factors increase your chance of getting it:

• Being fat or overweight.

• Having insulin intolerance or Type 2 diabetes.

• A metabolic syndrome diagnosis (insulin resistance, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high triglyceride levels).

• Taking specific prescribed drugs, including steroids, tamoxifen, or amiodarone (Cordarone®, Cardizem®, and Nolvadex®).

You should visit the liver specialist in Delhi NCR if you face any kind of fatty liver pain or problem.

What are the Fatty Liver Disease Symptoms?

Before the illness grows to liver cirrhosis, people with fatty liver problems frequently show no symptoms. If you do have fatty liver symptoms, they could be:

If you are having any of these fatty liver symptoms, get the best consultation from the best liver specialist in India at PSRI Hospital. They will examine your condition and suggest you the best possible fatty liver treatment.

What is the Diagnosis of Fatty Liver Problems?

There is no simple test that can confirm NAFLD.

• Blood tests like liver function tests (LFTs) measure the blood levels of certain chemicals (enzymes) made by the liver cells. An abnormal pattern of LFTs may suggest that NAFLD.
• A scan of the liver (Ultrasound, CT, MRI) can be helpful. However, a scan cannot definitely diagnose NAFLD.
• If there is doubt about the diagnosis, a specialist may arrange for a small sample (biopsy) to be taken from your liver. This can be looked at under the microscope and can show the extent of any fatty accumulation, inflammation, scarring, etc., in the liver.

What is Fatty Liver Treatment and Prevention?

There is currently no authorized fatty liver medicine. More study is required to create and evaluate medications to treat this condition. Changes in living can frequently assist in reversing the majority of stages of fatty liver disease. For instance, the best liver specialist in India might suggest the following:

• Reducing ‘lifestyle’ risk factors (avoiding smoking, keeping your weight in check, regular exercise, and eating a healthy balanced diet).

• If you have diabetes, good control of your blood sugar (glucose) level is supposed to help reduce the risk of NAFLD becoming worse.

• Likewise, fatty liver treatment of increased lipid levels can help in decreasing NAFLD.

• It is also advised that you do not drink any alcohol. NAFLD (by definition) is not caused by alcohol. However, even modest amounts of alcohol may make NAFLD worse.

• If you have AFLD or steatohepatitis symptoms, you may be advised to refrain completely from drinking alcohol. If you have an alcohol use problem, your doctor might also suggest counseling and a detoxification program.

• The liver can also become injured by several viral diseases. A doctor might suggest that you get the hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccines to safeguard the health of your liver. By your circumstances, they might also advise routine hepatitis C tests.

What are Some Lifestyle Changes that Can Help with Fatty Liver Disease?

If you experience any of the following fatty liver disease symptoms, changing your habits may be helpful:

• Limit salt and sugar intake while increasing your intake of fruits, veggies, and whole grains.
• Get the flu, pneumococcal disease, and hepatitis A and B immunizations. Liver failure is more likely to occur if you have obese liver in addition to hepatitis A or B. The other two vaccinations are also crucial because people with chronic liver disease are more prone to contract infections.
• You may reduce liver fat and lose weight by exercising regularly.
• Before using dietary supplements, such as vitamins, or any supplementary or alternative medications or medical procedures, consult your doctor. Some herbal treatments can also damage your liver.

Role of liver transplantation

The majority of people do not proceed to serious fatty liver problems. However, liver transplantation may be required if the liver has been damaged to the point of no return (end-stage liver disease).

Conclusion

In conclusion, fatty liver problems are a rising global health issue affecting millions. While the condition might be asymptomatic in the beginning, if left untreated, it can progress to severe liver damage, cirrhosis, and even liver failure. Fortunately, fatty liver disease is frequently reversible with proper lifestyle modifications, such as a balanced diet, regular exercise, and abstaining from alcohol and tobacco.

Still want to know more about what is fatty liver disease, get in touch with PSRI Hospital. We are the best hospital for liver transplants in Delhi, having an expert team of liver specialists in Delhi NCR who can guide you and give you the best-suited treatments.

FAQs

Q. 1 Is fatty liver disease reversible?

Fatty liver problems frequently have a cure. Making lifestyle adjustments like losing weight, cutting back on alcohol use, and improving eating and exercise routines can help the situation get better.

Q. 2 Can fatty liver disease lead to liver cancer?

Particularly in people with cirrhosis, fatty liver disease can increase the risk of getting liver cancer. To keep track of the health of your liver, it’s crucial to undergo routine examinations and tests.

Q. 3 Can fatty liver disease be prevented?

Yes, keeping a healthy weight, adhering to a balanced diet, engaging in regular exercise, and limiting alcohol consumption can all help prevent fatty liver problems.

Q. 4 Can medications cause fatty liver disease?

Certain medicines, such as corticosteroids and tamoxifen, can raise the risk of generating fatty liver problems. However, this is usually a rare event.

Q. 5 How common is fatty liver disease?

Fatty liver disease is becoming increasingly common, with an estimated 25% of the global population affected by the condition. The prevalence is higher in people who are obese, diabetic, or have high cholesterol levels.