One of the common liver problems, fatty liver is a condition in which the liver cells are accumulated with fats. Though, not life-threatening, in some cases, it can lead to complications that can be mild to severe.

1. Fatty Liver Disease:

2. What is Fatty Liver
Disease?
• Fatty liver disease refers to fat accumulation in the liver. While a liver with
little or no fat is considered healthy, one with excess fat accumulation is called
fatty liver.
• If the fat deposits in the liver accounts for more than five to ten percent of the
organ's weight, then it is diagnosed as fatty liver disease.
• In most cases, a simple fatty liver may not cause any symptom and may not
even lead to complications. However, with the fat deposits, the liver becomes
prone to further health problems, in some people.
• With excess fat deposits, the liver may develop complications
like, cirrhosis, liver failure and even liver cancer. The common and mild stage
of this disease is called simple fatty liver or hepatic steatosis and the more
serious and worsened one is known as steatohepatitis, which is less common.

3. Types of Fatty Liver:
• Alcoholic and Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver
• On the basis of its causes, the disease is classified into two main categories -
alcoholic and non-alcoholic. While alcoholism is the cause for alcoholic fatty
liver, non alcoholic variant can be caused by various other factors. Non-
alcoholic fatty liver disease is a condition that describes fatty liver in people
who consume little or no alcohol.
• One of the common causes for developing fatty liver is alcoholism. In small
amounts, alcohol intake may not cause any liver problems, but excess alcohol
can slow down the liver and result in conditions like fatty liver. Studies show
that genetics too has a role to play in development of fatty liver.
• This may happen in two ways. The likelihood of a person developing
alcoholism may be determined by the genes. The rate of alcohol metabolism
may vary in people, as per certain genetic factors. Alcoholism combined with
factors like fatty diet, obesity and other liver problems can increase the
probability of developing the condition.

4. Causes of Fatty Liver
Disease:
• Alcoholism is a major cause of fatty liver disease.
• Another common cause is obesity. A high fat diet, sedentary lifestyle and
lack of exercise, are also among the contributory factors.
• Diabetes, high blood pressure, insulin resistance, hyperlipidemia (high
levels of fat in blood) and rapid weight loss may also lead to this liver
condition.
• In some people, gastric bypass surgery is found to cause fatty liver disease.
• Malnutrition and starvation for long periods may be among the
contributory factors for this liver disease.
• Long-term use of certain types of medication (like tetracycline and
corticosteroids) may also cause this condition.
• Immunosuppressive medication for rheumatoid arthritis and anti-
retroviral therapy may lead to fatty liver.

5. Continue- Causes of Fatty
Liver:
• Medical conditions like PCOS, hypothyroidism and high cholesterol levels
are also among the possible fatty liver disease causes.
• Those with HIV, hepatitis C and inflammatory bowel disease have increased
chances of developing fatty liver.
• Acute fatty liver may develop during pregnancy and this is a serious condition
that may affect both the mother as well as the foetus.

6. Symptoms of Fatty Liver
Disease:
• In both types, fatty liver disease can vary in severity. It could be a simple
fatty liver, which is not a severe and/or life-threatening condition that may
not even cause symptoms (some people may develop occasional abdominal
discomfort). The condition may worsen to inflammation of the liver, which
is called steatohepatitis (alcoholic steatohepatitis and non-alcoholic
steatohepatitis).
• This condition may sometimes cause symptoms like fatigue, right
abdominal discomfort (may also have dull pain), yellowing of the eyes and
skin and fever. Steatohepatitis may gradually cause scar tissues or fibrosis
to form in the liver. This may sometimes cause symptoms like
nausea, discoloration of the skin in patches (especially neck and
underarm), easy bruising and bleeding and liver enlargement, apart from
the occasional right abdominal pain and fatigue.

7. Continue- Symptoms of Fatty
Liver Disease:
• Fibrosis can later on worsen to cirrhosis, which can result in liver failure or
even liver cancer. As per studies, it takes around 8 to 15 years for a person
with steatohepatitis to develop cirrhosis, which is a serious condition that can
produce many different symptoms like, jaundice, fluid retention, swelling in
legs, gynecomastia and bleeding of oesophageal veins.
• As simple fatty liver disease symptoms may go unnoticed, this liver condition
is usually diagnosed accidentally through routine blood tests or medical
check-ups. It can also be diagnosed through ultrasound, CT scan, blood tests,
biopsy or MRI.

8. Treatment of Fatty Liver
Disease:
• Treatment mainly aims at remedying the underlying cause. In case of
simple alcoholic fatty liver, alcohol consumption has to be stopped. For
those with non alcoholic fatty liver disease, correct diagnosis is very
much important.
• This is because of the myriad health problems than can cause the
condition. For obese people, weight loss is suggested as a remedy. The
condition can be reversed, if detected at an early stage.
• There is no specific treatment for severe fatty liver disease, but health
experts recommend reduction in alcohol consumption and treatment of
underlying causes. A change in diet and weight loss is considered most
effective against this disease.

9. Continue- Treatment of Fatty
Liver Disease:
• With the increasing number of diabetic and obese people, the
occurrence of fatty liver disease is also on the rise. Non alcoholic
fatty liver disease can be prevented to some extent, by regular
exercise and a balanced diet with less fats, sugars and
carbohydrates.
• Those with underlying medical conditions must get them treated.
Follow a healthy lifestyle and prevent fatty liver disease, which
may worsen with time, if not taken care of, in the early stages.

10. CONNECT WITH US
Logon to
www.lazoi.com
Like us on facebook
https://www.facebook.com/LazoiTheLife
Follow us on Twitter
https://twitter.com/lazoithelife
Follow us on Pinterest
https://in.pinterest.com/lazoithe