Wellness Blog

What is fatty liver disease?

A fatty liver is a condition when fat builds up in the liver. This happens due to metabolic health or one’s everyday lifestyle choices. Fatty liver can be treated if it is identified in the early stages. If the condition is left untreated, it might lead to damage, inflammation or even scarring in the liver.

 Therefore, it is important to know the early signs of fatty liver, its causes and the required steps to be taken to lower the risks by adopting healthy lifestyle practices and taking good care of our health.

What are the types of fatty liver?

Fatty liver diseases occur due to various factors but can be broadly categorised into two:

a. Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) - Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease can occur due to fat accumulation without the consumption of alcohol. It can be due to obesity, insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes.

b. Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (AFLD) - This occurs due to alcohol consumption and excess alcohol blocking fat from getting processed. The fat gets accumulated and causes alcoholic fatty liver. AFLD get advances faster than NAFLD. Continuous consumption of alcohol might lead to serious problems.

What are the causes and risk factors of fatty liver disease?

Fatty liver disease occurs depends upon the choices we make in our everyday life, be it the food we consume, the number of steps we take, etc.

Some of the common causes are:

Obesity - Weighing more than required might result in the accumulation of excess fat that can lead to a fatty liver.

Type 2 Diabetes - Fatty Liver and type 2 diabetes are interconnected. According to research, up to 70% of the people who have type 2 diabetes have excess fatty liver. Fatty liver is linked to insulin resistance, making it harder for the body to control blood sugar.

Food habits - Frequent consumption of processed foods with lots of sugar, saturated fats, or oily foods leads to high cholesterol and triglyceride levels and can build up excess fat in the liver. 

Physical Activity - Lack of proper physical activity, with very little movement, can accumulate fat in the body.

Alcohol consumption, smoking and vaping - With excess alcohol consumption, alcohol blocks the fat from getting processed. This might lead to fat build-up in the liver. Some of the other habits, such as smoking and vaping, can also lead to issues concerning the liver. 

Medications and genetic conditions - Some of the medications we consume for other illnesses, such as heart conditions, can also lead to accumulation of excess fat in the body. Fatty liver could have also been passed on as a genetic condition.

What are the symptoms of a fatty liver?

Although the symptoms might be absent initially, some of the common subtle indicators can be:

1. Fatigue
2. Pain/discomfort in the right abdominal area
3. Sudden weight loss
4. Feeling weak

 If the disease worsens, some of the other symptoms include:

1. Yellow or paleness in the skin and white part inside your eyes
2. Swelling in the stomach
3. Swelling in ankles and legs
4. Persistent itching in the body

What can you do to lower the risk?

A fatty liver can be prevented by making wise lifestyle choices and taking proper care of our health. Some of the measures include:

1. Maintaining a balanced diet
2. Regular exercise or workouts
3. Regular medical check-ups
4. Lesser consumption/no consumption of alcohol
5. Monitoring blood pressure, cholesterol, and lipid levels

 Can fatty liver be reversed?

A fatty liver condition can be reversed when it is diagnosed earlier, without leading to severe symptoms or depending on what type it is. It is important to not take the symptoms lightly and ignore them, if you find any abnormalities.

 Management and Treatment

Our lifestyle choices and adopting healthier habits play a major role in how well our bodies function. So if you are experiencing any abnormal signs, do not hesitate to consult a doctor. Prevention is better than cure. Although some of the factors are beyond one's control, taking early steps might lead to less serious problems. Take a step towards healthier living. Consult a gastroenterologist at GKNM for expert advice and care.