Fatty liver disease, its causes, symptoms and treatment || Hepatic Steatosis

 What is Fatty Liver Disease?

Fatty liver disease in medical term is also known as hepatic steatosis. It has become a popular topic worldwide as many people are experiencing this disease. Fatty liver occurs when an excessive amount of fat accumulates in our liver, affecting its normal functioning. It should be treated on an urgent basis as it may lead to many severe diseases like liver fibrosis, cirrhosis or even liver failure. in this blog, we will understand the causes of this disease along with its symptoms and treatment.

Causes of Fatty liver disease:

Fatty liver disease can be categorised into two main types:

• Alcoholic fatty liver disease(AFLD)
• Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)

As the name indicates, AFLD occurs due to excessive alcohol consumption while NAFLD occurs due to other factors rather than alcohol use.

The risk factors for Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are

• Obesity:

     Obesity is the root cause of all diseases in the human body. Obesity especially in the waist area contributes to fatty liver disease.

• Unhealthy diet:

   Unhealthy meals such as processed food added sugars and saturated fats can lead to the development of fatty liver disease.

• Sedentary lifestyle:

   If you are eating too much junk food and not doing any physical activity, this can also lead to the development of fatty liver disease.

• Insulin resistance:

     Patients with type 2 diabetes, also known as Diabetes mellitus, are at higher risk of developing fatty liver disease due to impaired insulin function.

• Bad cholesterol(LDL):

    The presence of triglycerides or bad cholesterol also contributes to fatty liver disease.

• Genetics:

    Sometimes, fatty liver disease is also associated with your genetic makeup.

• Age:

     Sometimes, age can also be a risk factor, the older you get more likely it is to happen.

• Gall bladder removal:

    Individuals who have removed their gall bladder through surgery are also at high risk of developing NAFLD.

Symptoms of Fatty liver disease:

Fatty liver disease is a often silent condition in its early stages as it does not show any noticeable symptoms in patients. However, as the disease prevails, some individuals may experience the following symptoms:

• Fatigue and Weakness: Feeling tired and lacking energy is a common symptom of liver dysfunction.
• Loss of appetite: Some individuals may experience a decline in appetite due to fatty liver.
• Abdominal discomfort: Mild or sometimes moderate pain in the upper left side of the abdomen is usually associated with fatty liver disease.
• jaundice: Sometimes, individuals develop yellowish skin and eyes due to the development of jaundice indicating liver damage.

Diagnosis:

NAFLD is often diagnosed through a combination of evaluations such as medical history, physical examination and blood tests etc. Blood tests include the ALT(alanine aminotransferase) and AST(aspartate aminotransferase) which are the liver enzymes. In NAFLD, the levels of these hormones get much raised. Its diagnosis also includes imaging techniques like ultrasound, computerised tomography (CT scan) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). After diagnosis, your healthcare provider mainly focuses on lifestyle modifications to reduce fatty liver disease naturally.

Treatment:

Fatty liver treatment can be done through lifestyle changes along with medication.

Lifestyle modification:

One can lose weight through the combination of a healthy diet along with daily workouts. This can help in the reduction of liver fat thus improving liver functioning. A balanced diet is very important to reduce liver fat. The diet should be rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein and healthy fat. Regular exercise such as brisk walking, and cycling has significant results on liver health as they trigger the weight loss process.

                                                                          

Medication:

In chronic cases, it becomes necessary to take medicine to improve liver health. Your healthcare provider may prescribe medications to reduce the fatty liver. These medications may include cholesterol-lowering drugs, insulin sensitizers or Vitamin E etc.

Regular checkups and monitoring of liver function through blood tests and scanning are essential to evaluate the progress of the disease and ensure optimal management.

Can fatty liver be cured?

Yes, it is definitely curable. One can reverse fatty liver disease by adopting a healthy lifestyle and losing weight. Weight loss has beneficial effects on liver health as it removes the liver fat.

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Conclusion:

NLFLD is a prevalent condition that has severe implications if left untreated. By recognizing its causes, and symptoms and adopting a healthy lifestyle, one can reduce liver fat and improve liver health.

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