Abnormal fat deposition can occur in your liver even if you drink little or no alcohol. This condition is termed as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
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Dr. Abhishek YadavAbnormal fat deposition can occur in your liver even if you drink little or no alcohol. This condition is termed as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NAFLD may cause cirrhosis if it progresses to severe form.
About 25% of people have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) around the world. In the decade that follows, NAFLD is expected to overtake all other causes of cirrhosis necessitating liver transplantation due to its increasing incidence in conjunction with rising levels of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and the metabolic syndrome.
In order to treat people who may have silent progressive fatty liver disease, early detection of NAFLD is very advantageous. As this diseases is asymptomatic many times, it is important to identify patients suffering from advanced disease using non-invasive fibrosis markers, including serology-based tests (such as NAFLD Fibrosis Score & ELF test) and imaging (such as transient elastography). This focuses on referring suitable patients to secondary care for further tests, like liver biopsies, and specialized medical care.
Recent research has demonstrated the detrimental effects of high-calorie diets, high fat intake, and added sugar consumption (primarily fructose) on the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Though weight loss and lifestyle changes continue to be the mainstays of care, a new wave of promising pharmacotherapies for Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) and fibrosis is about to dawn.
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Liver DiseasePeople who drink little to no alcohol are also susceptible to a liver condition known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, or NAFLD. The liver is referred to as fatty (steatosis) if it accumulates more fat than 5–10% of its weight.
Globally, NAFLD is becoming more prevalent. In this condition, an excessive amount of fat accumulates in the liver abnormally. Obese or overweight people are more prone to this disease. It is closely associated with conditions like type 2 diabetes, heart and circulatory disease, and obesity. Medical professionals classify fatty liver disease into two categories. The condition is known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) if all you have is excessive liver fat without any liver damage. Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is the condition that occurs when there is excessive fat in the liver along with symptoms of inflammation, fibrosis, and impaired liver function.
The fatty liver disease is mainly a "silent liver disease." This is due to the likelihood that it will occur without symptoms. The majority of NAFLD patients retain excess fat deposits in their livers without experiencing liver damage or loss of liver function. However, following symptoms may be associated with disorder in certain cases:
Dr. Abhishek YadavThe exact explanation for why fat accumulates in some livers but not in others is unknown to experts. Furthermore, it is also not well-understood why some fatty livers develop NASH. Fat liver disease is steadily becoming more common, according to medical professionals. Fatty liver disease can strike children and young adults as well, but it strikes most often in middle age. The following are the risk factors associated with both NAFLD and NASH:
Since NAFLD usually has no symptoms, it often becomes apparent through tests that indicate a liver issue but were performed for other purposes. For instance, elevated liver enzyme levels discovered during an annual health examination could suggest additional testing for the diagnosis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
The following tests are used to diagnose NAFLD, rule out other illnesses, and assess the severity of liver damage:
Non-invasive fibrosis markers/Serology-based tests
Blood tests
Imaging tests
Liver biopsy
Losing weight is usually the first step in treating NAFLD. Consuming a balanced diet, controlling portion sizes, and exercising can help achieve this. Reduced body weight may help with other health issues that cause NAFLD. In general, it is advised to lose at least 10% of your body weight. However, there are advantages to dropping even 3% to 5% of your weight initially. For certain individuals, weight-loss surgery or medication may also be beneficial. 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 a liver speicalist doctor in Pune, India 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, an advanced form of non-alcoholic 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 a liver transplant if the cirrhosis progresses to liver failure.
Manage your lifestyle in following manner to manage the fatty liver disease to a great extent:
The best line of defense against fatty liver disease is maintaining your own health:
Following the recommended lifestyle modifications may be adequate to maintain optimal liver health for an extended period of time if you have been diagnosed with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. When the condition is still in its early stages, liver damage might even be reversible.
Liver scarring may occur even if you do not experience any symptoms of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Your doctor can assist you in determining whether you require any further testing if you think you might be at risk of developing this condition.
Fortunately, other health conditions like type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, and metabolic syndrome can be controlled or even reversed with the same lifestyle decisions that can help manage NAFLD.
A: There is no medicine to treat fatty liver. However, there are medications to control the associated metabolic syndrome. Moreover, vitamin E supplements are known to have a positive effect on fatty liver. Correct intake of these medicines may help in managing this disease.
A: Losing weight is usually the first step in treating NAFLD. Consuming a balanced diet, controlling portion sizes, and exercising can help achieve this. Losing weight could help with other health issues that contribute to NAFLD. In general, it is advised to lose at least 10% of your body weight.
A: Both resistance and aerobic exercise can lower liver fat and improve blood lipids and insulin resistance. However, aerobic exercise may be more beneficial in this regard.
A: The liver can be naturally detoxified and supported in a number of ways, including hydration. Keeping the liver healthy requires consuming enough water. Water consumption keeps the liver healthy and aids in the removal of toxins. Try to consume eight glasses of water or more each day.
A: Rich in chlorophyll, leafy green vegetables, especially chicory, bitter melon, arugula, dandelion greens, spinach, mustard greens, and bitter melon, act as a natural cleanser by drawing out toxins from the body and liver. Additionally, they neutralize the damaging effects of chemicals on the liver.
