Taking care of our internal organs is equally important as our outer well-being. The damage caused to the internal organs is mostly silent and is known at a much later stage. The one organ that requires everyone’s attention and care is the liver. This organ has the ability to regenerate itself. The liver is the main organ behind digestion, overall detoxification, strong immunity, enhancing your metabolism, and taking care of your body. However, issues with the liver often remain unnoticed till they become worse. This is why it is essential to ponder upon liver care and follow all the right measures to avoid any mishaps.
Understanding fatty liver disease
The upper-right side of the body has a liver. It is mainly around the abdomen area. The liver is responsible for various functions of the body. However, the excess fat build-up in the liver can lead to a serious medical issue, steatosis, or fatty liver disease. It is a common problem that can occur to any person who is living a slightly unhealthy lifestyle. For the liver to be healthy, there has to be around 10 per cent less of fat. Otherwise, a person can develop serious health complications.
A minor fatty liver leads to no damage but if it is uncontrollable then it can result in liver inflammation. This medical issue is known as steatohepatitis and results in serious liver damage. The inflammation of the liver is mostly linked with excessive consumption of the liver. This further results in the situation of alcoholic steatohepatitis. There is another type of fatty liver which is harmful to the body.
What is the reason behind the liver becoming fat?
It is not clear how the liver becomes fat. It is possible that the fat gets accumulated from the other part of the body. Or there are chances that fat absorbs excess fat from the intestine. Moreover, the liver loses it ability to turn the fta into a form. It is a myth that having fatty food can lead to fatty liver.
What are the types of fatty liver?
There are mainly two types of fatty liver which can hamper the overall functioning of the body, such as:
- NAFLD which is a nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
- Alcoholic fatty liver disease or alcoholic steatohepatitis
Understanding NAFLD in detail
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease occurs without any use of heavy alcohol use. However, there is no main reason behind this issue. NAFLD is also of two types, such as:
- Simple fatty liver which involves a slight fat in the liver. It is an uncomplicated type that involves little to no inflammation. Plus, there is very little liver cell damage involved. There is no major liver damage involved or complications that can result in severe cases.
- Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis is a type fatty liver. It can result in liver inflammation and severe cell damage due to fat in the liver. Further, this situation can result in scarring, fibrosis, liver cancer, cirrhosis, etc.
Understanding alcoholic fatty liver
Alcoholic fatty liver disease needs to be taken seriously. This situation occurs when an individual is involved in excessive alcohol consumption. The liver tries to break down the alcohol that is consumed by an individual so that there is no trace of it in the body. While completing this process, there can be generation of harmful substances. The production of these substances can cause liver cell damage, increase inflammation, and even slow down or weaken the natural defense system of the body.
Also, the excess consumption of alcohol can be detrimental. It can directly affect the liver of a person. This is the initial stage of liver diseases related to alcohol. However, the next stages involve alcoholic hepatitis, cirrhosis, etc.
Who can get severely affected by fatty liver disease?
The reason behind NAFLD is unknown. But there is some evidence that the following mentioned people can be more prone to get affected by fatty liver disease:
- People having type 2 diabetes or prediabetes
- People facing obesity
- Middle age or old people
- People having high cholesterol or triglycerides
- Individuals who have high blood pressure
- If you are taking drugs related to cancer, etc.
- Metabolic syndrome can even affect your liver
- A sudden weight loss
- If you are facing hepatitis C
- If you are exposed to certain toxins
However, when it comes to alcoholic fatty liver disease, it mainly happens in people who are heavy drinkers and have been doing it for a very long time. This risk is more common in women who drink regularly, are obese, or have genetic mutations.
Are there any symptoms of fatty liver disease?
For both types of fatty liver disease, the symptoms are still unknown. Fatty liver disease is silent with minimum to no symptoms. However, the common symptoms which can be considered are the feeling of tiredness or a slight discomfort in the abdomen which is usually on the upper right side.
How to diagnose fatty liver disease?
To look after the health of your liver, it is essential to diagnose this disease at the right time. A liver doctor will suspect all the abnormal results that may appear on the liver tests. For a concrete answers, there is a requirement of:
- Medical history of an individual
- A physical exam
- Requirement of blood test, biopsy, or imaging tests
Also, the liver doctor will ask about the use of alcohol. Plus, there can be questions related to the medications consumed by an individual, approx. weight or height of a person. The possible signs of an enlarged liver, jaundice, etc. will also be taken into consideration.
What are treatments recommended for fatty liver disease?
For NAFLD, the common suggestion of every doctor is to reduce the body weight as it can reduce fatty liver, inflammation, and other issues. Also, if an individual is taking any certain medication then it is suggested to stop using it. However, there is no major or specific medicine or treatment suggested for NAFLD.
When it comes to alcoholic fatty liver disease, then it is essential to stop drinking alcohol. Also, there is involvement of certain medications if fatty liver disease turns into cirrhosis.
Top tips to follow for healthy liver
There are certain tips for a healthy liver that should be followed by every individual in order to have a proper and rightly functioning liver. The tips are listed below:
- Having a healthy diet that involves limited salt or sugar intake. Involving an ample number of fruits, whole grains, along with different vegetables.
- Getting vaccinations related to hepatitis A, B, pneumococcal disease, and others. Otherwise, an individual can face liver failure.
- Exercising can help to melt the fat away from the liver.
- Ensure that you are taking all the medicines prescribed by your doctor and are taking the necessary vitamins to control the damage caused to the liver.
Conclusion
Facing fatty liver disease is not a small issue that can be resolved on its own. It is a silent disease that won’t be detected until it becomes worse. This is why it is essential to grab all the information related to it so that you can minimize its severe effects and control it on time. Also, medical intervention is required when you are facing serious health issues. Getting help from the experts of Ameritus Hospital can provide you with complete medical care. We have experienced medical experts who are highly dedicated to solving all your medical conditions with ease. Thus, contacting us will allow you to understand and tackle fatty liver disease in a more appropriate way. So, get in touch with our doctor as they will guide you in taking necessary liver tests, involving certain medications, and improving your overall lifestyle for a healthy functioning liver.
