Fatty liver disease is characterized by abnormal fat accumulation inside the liver, which over time can impair the patient’s liver function and ultimately result in liver damage.
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Dr. Abhishek YadavFatty liver disease is characterized by abnormal fat accumulation inside the liver, which over time can impair the patient’s liver function and ultimately result in liver damage. The development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is known to be associated with obesity, diabetes, lipid disorders, insulin resistance, and certain metabolic syndromes. The onset and progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are influenced by both genetic and environmental factors.
The prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is rising rapidly in today's scenario. Some of the most likely causes behind this rise are rising obesity rates, a rise in childhood obesity, sedentary lifestyles, consumption of unhealthy fast food, and longer lifespans. In obese adults, NAFLD prevalence ranges from 80% to 90%; in patients with diabetes mellitus, it ranges from 30% to 50%; in patients with high cholesterol levels, it ranges from 90% to 100%; in children, and in children who are obese, it ranges from 40% to 70%.
However, it can be managed with lifestyle changes in early stages and medicines in later stages. But to manage the end-stage liver failure cases, the liver transplant surgery is the only available treatment option.
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Alcoholic HepatitisAn excessive accumulation of fat in the liver can result in inflammation and subsequent problems. A few dietary and exercise adjustments could help the condition get better. Fatty Liver or hepatic steatosis happens when the liver tissue accumulates excessive fat abnormally. Small amounts of fat in the liver are normal, but excessive fat can cause health issues.
Your body's second-largest organ is your liver. It detoxifies your blood of toxins and aids in the digestion of nutrients from food. Liver inflammation caused by excess fat in the liver can harm and scar the liver tissue. Severe scarring can result in liver failure.
The term "alcoholic fatty liver disease" (AFLD) refers to fatty liver that occurs in heavy alcohol consumers. It is referred to as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in individuals who do not consume excessive alcohol.
Fatty liver disease is classified into two categories. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a condition in which you have abnormal fat deposition in the liver without any liver damage. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is the condition that occurs when there is fat in the liver along with symptoms of inflammation and damage to the liver cells.
Fatty liver disease is a silent liver disease in certain cases as it can be associated with no noticeable symptoms. Liver damage is rare in most NAFLD patients, even though they have fat in their livers. You may experience following symptoms from Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) that take years to manifest:
Fatty liver disease is a silent liver disease in certain cases as it can be associated with no noticeable symptoms. Liver damage is rare in most NAFLD patients, even though they have fat in their livers. You may experience following symptoms from NASH that take years to manifest:
It is possible in case of fatty liver disease to occur without any symptoms. When you have routine blood tests to check your liver, it gets diagnosed. If you have abnormal test results, especially if you are obese, your doctor may suspect fatty liver disease.
Your liver may exhibit fat deposits on imaging tests. MRIs and specific ultrasounds are two imaging tests that can be used to identify scar tissue in the liver and aid in the diagnosis of the condition.
A liver biopsy is necessary to confirm with absolute certainty that fatty liver disease is the only reason for liver damage, though. A liver biopsy involves removing tissue from your liver using a needle. A small amount of liver tissue is removed by the needle so that it can be examined under a microscope. This is how the medical professional diagnoses you for following:
Losing weight is advised by doctors for nonalcoholic fatty liver. Losing weight can lower inflammation, fibrosis, and liver fat. You should cease taking a medication if your doctor believes it is the reason behind your non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, consult with your doctor before quitting the medication. It might be necessary for you to gradually stop taking the medication and switch to an alternative.
No medications have been approved for the treatment of NAFLD yet. Further research is required to determine whether vitamin E or a specific diabetes medication can be helpful.
Quitting alcohol is the most crucial step in treating fatty liver disease associated with alcohol consumption. You can visit a therapist or take part in an alcohol recovery program if you require assistance with that. Additionally, there are medications that may lessen your alcohol cravings or make you feel unwell if you consume alcohol.
Cirrhosis can result from nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, a type of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, as well as from alcoholic fatty liver disease. Doctors can use medications, surgeries, and other medical procedures to treat the health issues brought on by cirrhosis. You might require to consult a Liver Transplant Surgeon in Pune, India if the cirrhosis progresses to liver failure.
Following are the lifestyle tips that can help you to manage the fatty liver disease to a great extent:
Keeping yourself healthy is the best defense against fatty liver disease:
Take fatty liver disease as a warning signal that can assist you in preventing liver cancer or cirrhosis, two conditions that can be fatal. Scarring is a far more serious condition than having too much fat in your liver. Find out from the doctor whether you have a chance of developing liver inflammation or scarring. If so, concentrate on treating the underlying causes and aggravating variables, such as alcohol consumption and metabolic syndromes. You have the power to safeguard your liver, enhance your well-being, and possibly even save your life.
A: Most of the time, early-stage NAFLD is harmless, but if it worsens, it can result in significant liver damage, including cirrhosis. Additionally linked to a higher risk of major health issues like diabetes, high blood pressure, and kidney disease are high liver fat levels.
A: Statistics show that NAFLD may shorten life expectancy by approximately 4.4 years for men and 4.2 years for women. Some individuals may experience a reversal of their fatty liver, while others may experience inflammation and eventual damage to their liver cells.
A: There isn't a medication that can reverse the accumulation of fat in your liver if you have NASH. There are instances where the liver damage ceases or even reverses. However, the illness worsens in some people. Controlling any conditions that can lead to fatty liver disease is crucial if you have nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).
A: Certain substances or antioxidants found in a wide variety of foods have been demonstrated to support liver function. Grapefruit, blueberries, cranberries, olive oil, fatty fish, and cruciferous vegetables like Brussels sprouts or broccoli are a few examples.
A: The American Liver Foundation states that non-alcoholic fatty liver disease does not currently have a medical treatment. Thus, the best strategies to either stop liver damage from occurring or to reverse liver disease in its early stages are to maintain a healthy diet and engage in regular exercise.
