Fatty Liver Disease
Fatty liver disease is thought to affect 20 to 40% of the population in the United States. The frightening and surprising fact is that this type of liver disease does not always cause obvious fatty liver disease symptoms. Many people are unaware that their livers are fatty until they undergo testing (such as a CT scan or ultrasound) for another health concern or experience an obvious warning sign, such as abdominal pain.
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and alcoholic fatty liver disease are the two main subtypes of this illness. Although you might not have any additional symptoms, having a fatty liver can make you feel weary or cause slight abdominal pain. Other symptoms of fatty liver include nausea, weight loss, a decrease in appetite, and a sense of fullness in the center or upper right side of the belly. These are but a few of the signs of fatty liver.
Is having a fatty liver harmful? It is possible! The non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) subtype of NAFLD is the more severe form of the condition. NASH results in liver damage and hepatic swelling. NASH is one of the leading causes of adult cirrhosis in the United States, and up to 25% of persons with NASH may already have cirrhosis, according to the American Liver Foundation. Additionally, NAFLD has been related to a higher risk of liver cancer.
The good news is that the liver is incredibly regenerative—in fact, it's the only organ that can renew itself—so don't assume that a fatty liver is inevitable for you or a diagnosis you have no control over.
Fatty Liver Disease: What Is It?
The liver is the biggest organ in the human body. This essential organ functions as a powerhouse, aiding in food digestion and toxin and poison removal.
What exactly is fatty liver illness? When there is an accumulation of extra fat in the liver, it can lead to fatty liver disease, a frequent health issue. A modest amount of fat in the liver is completely normal; nevertheless, fatty liver disease is considered to exist when the quantity of stored fat surpasses 5 to 15% of the liver's total
Usually, having a fatty liver won't cause any overt symptoms. However, a few signs and symptoms could be:
general weariness
a swollen liver
Right upper abdominal discomfort
As scarring takes hold and your liver begins to shut down, the illness will worsen and more severe symptoms will emerge. These signs include:
pink palms
increased spleen size
masculine enlarged breasts
stomach bloating
Under the skin, blood vessels may expand.
The skin and eyes could turn yellow (jaundice)
Causes of Fatty Liver Disease
How can a fatty liver develop? A fatty liver is the result of an excessive fat buildup. When alcoholic fatty liver disease is identified, excessive alcohol use is the primary factor in the fat buildup.
Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are thought to be caused by:
being obese or overweight
Insulin resistance
Hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar, is a sign of type 2 diabetes or prediabetes.
high blood fat concentrations, particularly triglycerides
Complications and Risks
The most common cause of liver disease in the Western World is non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). If you have fatty liver disease, your liver has unwanted fat deposits that can keep it from doing what it should be doing—removing toxins from your blood—which is so critical for maintaining good health. This increases the chance of toxic accumulation and all the unpleasant symptoms of a failing liver, such as jaundice, edema, chronic fatigue, nausea, and more, for someone with this liver disease.
Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis develops when non-alcoholic fatty liver disease worsens and becomes chronic (NASH). Between 7 and 30% of persons with NAFLD will acquire NASH, and at least one-third of those with NASH will eventually develop cirrhosis, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
The primary side effect of NAFLD and NASH is cirrhosis, a late-stage liver scarring condition. When cirrhosis develops, liver cells are gradually replaced by scar tissue, which causes further decline in liver function.
Cirrhosis will develop in about 20% of NASH patients, according to Mayo Clinic, and can result in:
accumulation of abdominal fluid
Your esophagus's veins swell, which could burst and cause bleeding
Moodiness, confusion, and slurred speech
liver tumor
liver failure at the very end (the liver has stopped functioning)
requiring a liver transplant
It is thought that individuals with NAFLD, NASH, and cirrhosis have a higher chance of getting liver cancer.
RESOURCES:
https://www.nature.com/nrneurol/
2022. NP. Malika Katrouche. All Rights Reserved.
