Fatty Liver |Mother of all Diseases| |Gastroenterology

Fatty Liver

 

Fatty Liver |Physiology

This article defines fatty liver and discusses its types, causes, symptoms, and diagnosis. It also offers methods to reverse fatty liver and protect against its occurrence.

Keywords: Liver |Fatty liver |Hepatocytes| Life style| Healthy diet| Jaundice| Steatosis l Fibrosis| Cirrhosis |Obesity

Table of contents

1. Introduction

2. What is fatty liver?

3. What causes fatty liver?

4. What are the symptoms of fatty liver?

5. How to diagnose fatty liver disease?

6. What are treatments for fatty liver disease?

7. Complications of fatty liver.

8. Prevention of fatty liver disease.

9. You can reverse your fatty liver.

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Introduction

The liver is a mixed gland-exocrine and endocrine organ. It is wedge-shaped in the right hypochondrium and extends to the left hypochondrium below the diaphragm.

The liver is one of the largest organs in the body, situated in the right hypochondrium, the upper part of the abdomen. It is crucial for health and one of the essentials, but usually, people only think about the liver once it becomes ill. The liver performs more than 500 diverse functions. It works hard and round the clock, 24x7. As a result, the liver is exposed to toxins, pathogens, metabolic end products, etc. A healthy liver provides good health and well-being.

The liver performs about 500 separate functions, usually in combination with other systems and organs. No artificial organ or device can perform all the liver functions.

What is fatty liver?

When excess fat accumulates in liver cells, the condition is known as fatty liver. The fundamental reason is excess calorie intake and less calorie consumption by the body.

A normal, healthy liver has very little fat. The average weight of the liver is about 1200 to 1500 grams. Only 5% to 10 % fat is standard in the liver. If the fat content exceeds this limit, it produces fatty liver.

Stage 1- 33 % fat and about one-third of the liver is involved.

Stage 2- 66 % fat and about two-thirds of the liver are involved.

Stage 3 – more than 66% fat and more than two-thirds of the liver are involved.

Depending upon the causes, we can describe fatty liver as

Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (AFLD)-is due to chronic alcohol intake and the most common type of fatty liver, Non- alcoholic fatty liver. This is the most common form and is not related to alcohol consumption. It's often linked to metabolic syndrome, which includes conditions like insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.

Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (AFLD):

This form is caused by excessive alcohol consumption. The liver metabolizes alcohol, and excessive drinking can overwhelm the liver's ability to process fat, leading to fat accumulation.

The excellent news about fatty liver is that you can prevent its occurrence, improve this condition with healthy lifestyle changes, and reverse it.

There is bad news, too. It is asymptomatic, progresses insidiously to severe conditions, and damages other organs.

Prevalence

Fatty liver disease is a prevalent condition globally, affecting about one-third of the world's adult population. In India, it occurs in about one in three adults. This widespread prevalence underscores the importance of understanding and addressing this health issue, empowering individuals to take control of their health.

Causes of fatty liver

Various factors are responsible for Fatty liver. Some critical factors are metabolism, lifestyle, and genetics.

If you drink alcohol, it will cause AFLD.

If you overeat unhealthy food, especially more sugars and added fat, this will cause non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Your body converts excess calories into fat in the liver cells. Liver cells store this fat, causing fatty liver.

Here's a list of the common causes:

1. Metabolic factors, for example, Obesity and Diabetes Mellitus.

2. Dietary Factors like high-calorie diet and lack of fiber. Malnutrition or imbalanced diets can impact liver function and contribute to fatty liver.

3. Alcohol Consumption is responsible for alcoholic fatty liver.

4. Genetic factors play little role in the development of fatty liver. However, a family history of metabolic disorders increases the chance of developing fatty liver.

5. Medications: Some medicines, such as corticosteroids, certain cancer drugs, antipsychotics, and some antiretrovirals, can contribute to fatty liver.

Chronic exposure to environmental and occupational toxins and chemicals can also impact liver health.

6. Rapid weight loss, often due to extreme dieting or malnutrition, can lead to liver fat accumulation.

7. General rundown health conditions contribute to fatty liver.

8. A sedentary lifestyle and lack of physical activity lead to the formation and storage of fat in the liver.

9. Hormonal Changes like hypothyroidism can cause fatty liver.

Degrees of Fatty Liver

The percentage of fat accumulation in the liver and the extent of liver changes decide the degree of fatty liver disease.

1. Simple Steatosis (Stage 1) or non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL): Fat accumulation in the liver exceeds its average level of 10%. There is no remarkable change in the liver parenchyma and liver functions. This stage is generally asymptomatic.

2. Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) (Stage 2): At this stage, fat accumulation in the liver increases, producing inflammation of liver cells. Liver function deteriorates, and if not managed properly, it may lead to fibrosis. Liver function tests become abnormal. Symptoms, if any, are mild.

3. Fibrosis (Stage 3): Due to inflammation, hepatocytes die, and fibrosis occurs in the liver. A remarkable parenchymal change in the liver leads to functional deterioration.

4. Cirrhosis (Stage 4): If stage 3 is ignored or not managed properly, it leads to scar formation in the liver. In most liver parenchyma, normal hepatocytes are replaced by fibrous tissues. This condition is known as cirrhosis. It will cause severe liver dysfunction, producing severe symptoms and complications.

In the end, the liver fails.

Symptoms

Fatty liver disease can be asymptomatic. In the early stage, most people will not recognize that they have problems with their liver. Fatty liver rarely causes symptoms in the early stage.

However, in some cases, it may cause general symptoms like fatigue, weakness, or discomfort in the upper right abdomen. If not treated meticulously, fatty liver may progress to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), fibrosis, or cirrhosis.

Jaundice, highly colored urine, itchy skin, and much more.

If you have any of these symptoms, visit your doctor immediately.

Fat deposition in the liver causes the enlargement of liver cells and interferes with their functions. In addition, it causes inflammation of liver cells, reducing liver functions. When the disease progresses, hepatocytes are replaced by fibrous tissues, causing cirrhosis and liver failure. It may progress to carcinoma of the liver.

Diagnosis of Fatty Liver

Fatty liver disease does not cause any health problems in its early stage; it is diagnosed during routine checkups or tests for other conditions.

Blood tests

Liver function test.

Lipid profile.

Ultrasound of the whole abdomen.

Fibro scan

MRI.

Liver biopsy.

Other tests are performed to detect fatty liver complications like heart disease and hypertension.

Diagnosis and staging of fatty liver disease often involve imaging studies (like ultrasound or MRI) and liver biopsies.

Management of Fatty Liver Disease

No specific treatment is available. to date. Lifestyle changes help to recover liver health. Early intervention and lifestyle changes are vital to reversing or managing fatty liver disease.

Addressing the fatty liver often involves lifestyle changes, medical management, and regular monitoring.

If you suffer from fatty liver disease, immediately report to a specialist for treatment.

Management typically involves lifestyle changes.

Treatment of associated diseases like diabetes or high cholesterol is essential.

You Can Revert your Fatty Liver

You can restore the health of your liver by changing your lifestyle and practicing simple medical management. Here are nine tips to help you do this.

1. Adopt a healthy diet in adequate amounts at regular and fixed intervals.

2. Do regular Exercises like brisk walking, cycling, dancing and swimming

3. Weight management is crucial. Reduce your weight slowly. Rapid extreme weight loss may be harmful.

4. Stop alcohol intake.

5. Stop smoking.

6. Manage Comorbid Conditions like diabetes, insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia and maintain an average blood pressure.

7. Although no specific medicine exists to control fatty liver, some drugs like vitamin E may be helpful.

8. Regular checkups and follow-ups are essential. Periodic liver function tests and imaging studies are necessary.

9. Avoid Harmful Substances and over-the-counter drugs.

Prevention of Fatty Liver

You can prevent fatty liver disease by lifestyle modification and a balanced calorie intake. Here are some effective strategies:

1. Maintain your BMI in the normal range.

2. Adopt a Balanced Diet

3. Engage in Regular Physical Activity

4. Stop alcohol.

5. Stop smoking.

6. Manage regular blood sugar, blood lipids, and blood pressure.

7. Avoid Harmful Substances

8. Avoid medicines

9. Stay Hydrated

10. Get Regular Health Checkups

11. Avoid stress

12. Get Adequate Sleep

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Internal Link:

1.https://blog.totalphysiology.com/2021/06/jaundice.html

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External link:

1.https://www.forestaorganics.com/blog/fatty-liver-guide/ 2.https://www.medrot.com/blog/fatty-liver-disease-everything-you-need-to-know/

3. https://www.truwellth.in/metabolic-diseases/

4.https://teaonic.com/blogs/news/fatty-liver-how-dandelion-and-milk-thistle-can-support-liver-health-and-detoxification

5.https://healthcarechannels.com/defying-aging-readers-quest-to-outwit-dementia/

6.https://blog.totalphysiology.com/2022/08/save-liver-stay-healthy.html

7.https://www.choiceseniorlife.com/how-to-make-your-liver-healthy-again/