The topic will cover the information on what is fatty liver, and what are the symptoms of non-alcoholic and alcoholic fatty liver? In this article, we also discuss what is the treatment method for fatty liver? How can we diagnose fatty liver disease?
What is Fatty Liver?
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| Fatty Liver Stages |
When a person has excess fat in the liver. This condition of the liver knows as fatty liver. The condition of the fatty liver affects liver performance and can affect liver work and can damage the liver. `
Fatty Liver Disease Types and Symptoms?
Researchers divide the fatty liver disease into 2 main categories. The 1st one is called NAFLD (Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver) and 2nd one is called Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (ALD)
1- NAFLD (Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease)
The disease NAFLD is further classified into 2 types one is called Simple Fatty Liver and 2nd is known as NASH
- Simple Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)
The simple non-alcoholic fatty liver is a condition in which fat is flocked in the liver and there is no inflammation in the liver. The liver’s this condition can be reversed with the help of medication, food, and changes in our living style. According to some research, approximately one-quarter of Americans suffer from non-alcoholic simple fatty liver disease.
- NASH (Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis)
The 2nd condition that is dangerous and can cause
liver failure is known as NASH (Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis). This is the
condition in which the liver has fat with inflammation. According to a study
approximately 2 to 5% of Americans suffer from NASH.
NASH is the condition that refers to liver cancers (cirrhosis, fibrosis) and liver cell damage. Approximately 20% of people who suffer from NAFLD may have NASH if not treated on time.
2- Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (ALD)
ALD is the 2nd type of liver disease and the
major reason for this disease is the usage of too much alcohol. People who
drink too much are at a higher risk of developing ALD - Alcoholic fatty liver
disease.
ALD has 3 stages it starts from the fatty liver and then becomes the second stage when the patient is not ready to stop alcohol this stage is alcoholic hepatitis and the last and most dangerous stage is fibrosis or alcoholic cirrhosis. ALD can cure at 1st and 2nd stage and can reverse when you stop drinking alcohol.
How Much Time Required to Reverse Alcoholic Fatty Liver?
Alcoholic fatty liver can be reversed by stopping alcohol. It can cure within 2 weeks when you stop drinking alcohol approximately 2 weeks.
Symptoms of Fatty Liver Disease
Fatty liver disease is known as a silent killer
disease and we have some time no signs of this disease. There are a few known
common symptoms that include upper right side abdominal pain, fatigue, and
tiredness, Weight loss. These symptoms can be signs of NAFLD.
- They have red palms
- The eyes and skin color go yellowish (Jaundice)
- Blood Vessels just underneath the skin become enlarged
- Inflamed belly
What are the Risk Factor and Causes of Fatty Liver Disease?
The causes and risk factors of liver disease are not clear at all. We cannot find a clear picture of the causes of fatty liver disease. According to research, fatty liver disease has some link to genes. Researchers agreed that some specific types of genes may have the inclination to develop fatty liver disease.
Some health problems are highly linked to fatty liver disease like
- People who are obese and have extra weight are at high risk of having fatty liver issues.
- When you eat too many calories and the liver is not working properly to break down the fat. This fat will accumulate in the liver and cause fatty liver issues.
- People with high blood pressure have a tendency to have fatty liver disease.
- Diabetic patients who suffer from type-2 diabetes are at high risk of fatty liver disease.
- People who take some kind of cancer medication are also are on high risk of developing fatty liver disease
- People who have high bad cholesterol levels or low good cholesterol levels have the tendency of having Non-Alcoholic fatty liver disease.
- People whose body is insulin resistant can face fatty liver disease
- People with underactive thyroid disease also have the tendency of having fatty liver issues.
- If you are losing weight very fast you may have the tendency the development of fatty liver disease NAFLD.
What is the Relation between Diabetes and Fatty Liver Disease?
The researcher found a very strong relationship
between diabetes and fatty liver disease. People who have a fatty liver
problem, have the tendency to have type-2 diabetes because the fatty liver
produces excess glucose in the body.
People with type-2 diabetes have the tendency to have liver-related issues. They are at high risk to develop non-alcoholic fatty liver, liver cancer, liver cirrhosis, etc.
What Methods are Common in the Diagnosis of Fatty Liver?
As earlier we discussed there are no such clear
symptoms that can tell us that a person has fatty liver disease. Doctors adopt
a different method to diagnose fatty liver disease.
1-Medical History
To diagnose fatty liver disease Doctors, analyze patients' medical history. Your doctor will ask some basic questions to find out what type of liver issue you have at the moment. He will ask you whether you drink alcohol to find out whether you have NAFLD or ALD.
He will also inquire about the medication you use and want to know your eating habits. On the basis of your medical history, he will decide whether he needs your test or to prescribe the medicines.
2-Personal Physical Exam
In this method, your doctor will check your body weight and your skin coloration to check whether you have jaundice or an enlarged liver.
3-Liver Blood Tests
The third method is known as a blood test and most doctors adopt this method to find out the condition of your liver. In blood tests, doctors find out the liver’s enzyme (alanine, aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase) level. If the enzyme level is high then there is an issue with your liver.
4-Liver Imaging Test
When your doctor advises liver imaging test, you may have to provide an ultrasound Image, CT scan test, or MRI test.
The tests are very good to tell whether your liver is fatty or not but these tests cannot predict the category of your disease. These tests cannot segregate whether you have NAFLD or NASH. To know the exact form of liver disease another test named liver biopsy required
5-Liver biopsy Test
A liver biopsy is a test your doctor recommends on the basis of your disease condition and when he thinks that you may have a risk of NASH. In a liver biopsy test, your doctor will take a sample of tissue from your liver and send it to the lab for examination to find if your liver has inflammation or cirrhosis.
The Complication of Fatty Liver Disease
When a person has just simple fatty liver disease
it can be reversed and can be treated. If there is no care for the fatty liver
it can lead to the NASH stage which is the 2nd stage and after NASH liver
cirrhosis or liver cancer is the next level of the disease. If this process
continues then liver cirrhosis led to abdominal ascites, esophagus swollen
veins, Liver cancer, and at last liver failure.
Medication and Treatment of Fatty Liver Disease
Treatment and medication to control fatty liver disease NAFLD is yet not approved. Doctors try different methods to control and cure the fatty liver. They recommend weight loss and also can recommend stop taking medicines that cause NAFLD.
In the treatment of Alcoholic fatty liver, alcohol usage should stop to control the disease. In case of NASH complications cirrhosis or Liver failure, a liver transplant is the only way to get rid of this disease.
How Food and Lifestyle Changes Can Help to Prevent Liver Disease?
Adopting some lifestyle changes and habits can help to control fatty liver. When you got the news that your liver is not healthy you must adopt the following habits to control your fatty liver and save yourself from severe complications.
1-Control Your Weight.
It is very important for liver patients they should control their weight. It helps to control the fat intake in your body and ultimately helps to reverse the fatty liver in healthy conditions.
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2-Do Regular Exercise
Doing exercise on regular basis can help to control fatty liver. Exercise can also help you to control your weight which is the major part to control fatty liver disease.
3-Control Your Diabetes
To control fatty liver disease must take care of your diabetes. Check your diabetes on regular basis and take proper medicines to control diabetes. Sugar intake in your body ultimately helps to reverse the fatty liver in healthy conditions.
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4-Take Healthy Foods
Fatty liver patients should take care of their food. Increase vegetable and fruit intake and try to avoid junk foods like burgers, coke, and Pizzas.
5-Stop drinking
Avoid drinking and try to be moderate in your alcohol drinking if you want to control the fatty liver.
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