WHAT IS FATTY LIVER? ITS SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT

What Is Fatty Liver? Its Symptoms And Treatment

Fatty liver disease is becoming highly common around the world. 

Fatty liver occurs when extra fats are build up in your liver cells which result in malfunctioning of your liver. And it becomes impossible for a person to survive if both the liver stops functioning. 

There are about 25% of people affected by fatty liver globally.

There are various reasons that could lead to problems like fatty liver such as lack of physical activity, obesity, eating too much junk foods, consumption of alcohol, etc.

Fatty liver may be categorized under two conditions- Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Alcohol-Related Fatty Liver Disease.

Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

The most common cases of fatty liver falls under the category of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, it is a very common liver disease that may affect both children and the adults in these days. 

The Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease is also categorized under two types-

Simple fatty liver: In this situation liver may have fats but there is no inflammation in the liver which leads to damage in liver cells. 

It is not as dangerous or gets worse as the second type. People with non –alcoholic fatty liver disease mostly are going through the above condition.

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH): This condition leads to inflammation and damage liver cells which is much more serious than the previous one causing some serious problems like cirrhosis and fibrosis, which are types of liver scarring and can also lead to liver cancer. 

There are about 20% of people who are with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease are dealing with the second condition.

Alcoholic-Related Fatty Liver Disease

This fatty liver condition could be prevented if you stop drinking alcohol. But if the habit is not controlled before the situation gets worse it could lead to serious problems like:

Enlarged Liver: An enlarged liver can create discomfort on the upper right side of the belly not necessarily causing symptoms but may experience pain.

Alcohol hepatitis: It leads to swelling in the liver causing nausea, fever, vomiting, belly pain, and jaundice.

Alcoholic cirrhosis: Alcoholic cirrhosis leads to the build-up of scar tissue into the liver which may develop into serious issues like fluid buildup in the abdomen, bleeding in the body, swelling in veins in the esophagus, liver cancer and may also lead to kidney failure.

Also Read:  How to prevent-heart-attack?

Reasons for Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver

The reasons for NAFLD are mentioned in the below given list:

1) Obesity is one of the most important causes of NAFLD. 

2) Abnormal high level of cholesterol.

3)Have high insulin resistance in which your body cell does not respond to insulin normally.

4) High level of triglycerides.

5) High Blood Pressure rising constantly.

8 Signs of Fatty Liver

In most cases people with NAFLD don't show much of the symptoms very often. But when it does it show signs like:

1) Pain or discomfort in the upper right abdomen.

2) Loss of appetite.

3) Weight loss.

4) Fatigue.

5) Weakness.

6) Yellow skin and eyes.

7) Itchy skin.

8) Swelling of legs and abdomen.

Diagnosing of Fatty Liver

To diagnose a fatty liver your doctor will conduct a physical examination (MRI Elastography) which is considered to be one of the best in the present times. 

And if the situation demands, the doctor may also suggest a liver biopsy to determine the severity of the liver disease.

Lifestyle or home remedies of NAFLD are:

1) Maintain balanced body weight and keep in check of all calories reduced.

2) Regular exercise helps a lot in losing excess body weight.

3) Choose a healthy diet including fruits, vegetables, and grains.

4) Control your diabetes.

5) Lower your cholesterol with a balanced diet and intake of medications suggested by the doctor.

6) Avoid eating junk foods or drinking alcohol as it put more pressure on the liver.  

Also Read:  WHAT IS COMPUTER VISION SYNDROME?

7 Foods that resist Fatty Liver

Your eating habit plays a very important role in treating fatty liver. Here I have penned down a list of food items that is beneficial for a person with fatty liver:

1) Fatty Fish such as salmon, tuna and sardines, etc are high in omega-3 fatty acids which help in improving the liver's fats level.

 

2) Oatmeal has nutrients like carbohydrates and their fiber content also fills you up to maintain your body weight.

3) Walnuts are high in omega-3 fatty acids which help in the functioning of the liver.

4) Avocados contain chemicals that slow down liver damage and are also high in fats and fiber which helps in controlling your weight.

5) Green vegetables like broccoli, spinach, Brussels, sprouts helps in the reduction of calories and thus maintains a healthy liver.

6)The caffeinated beverages like coffee also help in reducing the risk of less liver damage as compared to a non-drinker with fatty liver.

7)Garlic helps to reduce body weight and fat in people with fatty liver disease according to studies.

Foods To Be Avoided By A Person With Fatty Liver

1) Alcohol is a major source that contributes to the fatty liver along with other liver diseases.

2) Fried foods that are high in calories and fats should be strictly prohibited.

3) Food items like white bread and rice should not be included in the diet as it can raise the blood sugar level due to lack of fiber.

4) Intake of too much salt should be stopped as it makes your body hold excess water.

5) Sugary foods such as candy, cookies, sodas, and fruit juices should also be avoided as high blood sugar increases the amount of fat buildup in the liver.

Also Read: 7 Best Fruits To Control Diabetes