Fatty Liver Disease

Comprehensive Guide to Fatty Liver

Fatty liver disease, due to its increasing global prevalence, has become a common medical term among many. The liver is one of the most essential organs of the human body. Not only does it promote digestion and detoxification, but it also helps in increasing metabolism and storing vital nutrients.

Unfortunately, the accumulation of excess fat in the liver can raise a range of health issues, including fatty liver disease. Since this medical condition is mostly asymptomatic, it can lead to serious complications like cirrhosis and liver cancer if left untreated.

To help you understand fatty liver disease better and take necessary preventive measures against it, this detailed overview aims to address the most common queries about fatty liver, including what is fatty liver is exactly and how health insurance can help manage its treatment costs. It will also explore lifestyle changes that can significantly reduce the risk of developing this condition. By adopting a balanced diet and regular exercise regimen, individuals can improve their liver health and enhance their overall well-being.

What is Fatty Liver Disease?

A fatty liver disease means you have an abnormal fat in your liver. Such condition is medically known as Hepatic Steatosis. Heavy alcohol consumption is the primary reason to develop a fatty liver. High alcohol levels in your body, tends to build up fat inside your liver cells. However, this may prevent the liver from functioning properly. In some case, you can get fatty liver disease even if you’re not an alcoholic. Fatty liver disease can be categorised into two categories:

●Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
●Alcoholic fatty liver disease

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)

NAFLD are of two types:

●Simple fatty liver - This condition means you have a fatty liver, however there isn’t any damage to your liver cells. It is of low-risk and doesn’t cause any serious health problems. 80% of people with NAFLD have simple fatty liver.

●Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) - It is a serious condition than that of a simple fatty liver. NASH causes inflammation and liver cell damage that can cause serious health problems such as fibrosis and cirrhosis. About 20% of people with NAFLD have non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.

Alcohol-related fatty liver disease (ALD)

A condition of ALD is preventable. It is caused due to high consumption of alcohol. However, it usually gets better when you stop drinking. ALD can cause serious health problems, such as:

●Enlarged liver - There aren’t any actual symptoms for this condition, however, you may feel discomfort or have pain on the upper side of your belly.

●Alcoholic hepatitis - This is a swelling in the liver that can cause fever, nausea, vomiting, belly pain and jaundice.

●Alcoholic cirrhosis - This condition builds up a scar tissue in the liver. The symptoms for this condition are similar to hepatitis, however it can cause additional symptoms like: High blood pressure in liver, bleeding in your body, changes in behaviour, enlarged spleen and advanced stage of liver failure.

Alcoholic hepatitis is an advanced stage of alcohol-related fatty liver disease. By time, it may also turn into alcoholic cirrhosis. Make sure to talk to your doctor if you drink heavily and start experiencing such symptoms. Your physician may help you to control drinking and keep you on track.

Symptoms of fatty liver disease

There are no direct symptoms for both ALD and NAFLD conditions. You may just experience tiredness or discomfort in the upper part of your belly. In case you are suffering from NASH or cirrhosis, you may have symptoms such as:

●Swollen belly
●Enlarged blood vessels
●Enlarged breasts in men
●Jaundice
●Red palms

Causes and Risk Factors

Fatty liver causes are diverse, ranging from lifestyle choices to underlying medical conditions. Take a look at some of the most common causes:

●Obesity: One of the leading causes of fatty liver, especially the non-alcoholic type, is obesity. When fat tends to accumulate around the abdomen, visceral fat starts to build up in the liver cells. Being obese makes you vulnerable to a host of medical conditions, consequently worsening fatty liver.

●Excessive Alcohol Consumption: Heavy drinking is the primary cause of alcoholic fatty liver disease. The toxic by-products of alcohol promote fat accumulation. Chronic alcohol abuse leads to further liver damage.

●Type 2 Diabetes: People with type 2 diabetes are at a higher risk of developing fatty liver disease. This is because insulin resistance and high blood sugar levels contribute to fat build-up in the liver.

●High Cholesterol and High Blood Pressure: Similar to diabetes, high cholesterol and blood pressure are also two common risk factors for fatty liver. Both conditions can elevate liver inflammation.

●Poor Diet: A diet rich in refined carbohydrates, sugar, and unhealthy fats can maximise weight gain, leading to unnecessary fat accumulation in the liver.

●Genetics: Genetics is considered a significant factor that contributes to fatty liver. If your family history constitutes liver disease or metabolic conditions, the risk of fatty liver may be higher.

●Rapid Weight Loss: Though it may seem impossible, weight loss can also deteriorate your liver. While losing weight is good for improving your health, going through extreme diets or surgery to lose weight quickly inflames your liver, making the condition severe.

You have a greater chance of developing fatty liver disease if you:

●Are Hispanic or Asian
●Are a postmenopausal woman (a woman whose periods have stopped early)
●Have obstructive sleep apnea (a blocked airway that causes breathing to stop and start during sleep)
●Taking certain prescription medications, such as amiodarone(Cordarone®), diltiazem (Cardizem®), tamoxifen (Nolvadex®) or steroids.

When to Reach Out to a Doctor if You Have a Fatty Liver?

You should seek medical attention if you suspect you have a fatty liver. This is particularly applicable if you have either of the risk factors such as obesity, diabetes, or excessive alcohol consumption. Early detection can prevent further liver damage.
Even though fatty liver in its early stages often does not cause symptoms, some individuals may experience:

●Fatigue
●Discomfort in the upper right abdomen
●Unexplained weight loss

These signs reflect that the condition is progressing, and it is high time to consult with a doctor.

Diagnosis

Most people with fatty liver disease may not have symptoms. However, it’s not that easy to diagnose. However, you doctor may think of other methods to diagnose this condition. This may include:

●Health history- Your doctor may want to know about your drinking habits. Providing this information can help your doctor determine whether you have ALD or NAFLD, so be honest. Additionally, they will ask you about the medications you take, how you eat, and whether you have any health conditions.

●Physical exam- If you have jaundice or an enlarged liver, your doctor will weigh you and check your body for signs of liver problems.

●Blood tests - An elevated level of liver enzymes, such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT) or aspartate aminotransferase (AST), can be detected. If this is the case, you might have a liver problem.

●Imaging tests- MRIs, CT scans, or ultrasounds may be performed. These tests can help determine whether your liver contains fat. Unfortunately, they cannot tell if you have NASH or simple fatty liver.

●Liver biopsy- NAFLD patients do not always need to undergo a liver biopsy. If you're at risk for NASH or cirrhosis or other complications associated with NASH, your doctor may recommend it. During an exam, your doctor will take a sample of liver tissue and send it to a lab to determine if you have inflammation or damage. An outpatient surgery center or hospital can perform this procedure for you. Medicine will be given to you prior to the procedure to help you relax or control your pain.

During the biopsy, your doctor will numb the area before taking a small sample of liver tissue. NASH can only be diagnosed through a liver biopsy.

●Elastography: This non-invasive imaging technique uses ultrasound waves to measure liver stiffness. It can indicate the level of liver fibrosis or scarring.

What Are the Complications of Fatty Liver Disease?

If left untreated, fatty liver disease can progress and lead to severe liver complications. Some of the most serious complications include:

●Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH): This is an advanced form of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), where fat accumulation in the liver leads to inflammation and liver cell damage. NASH can progress to cirrhosis.

●Cirrhosis: Cirrhosis is the scarring of liver tissue that occurs as a result of chronic inflammation. It can cause the liver to lose its ability to function properly. Cirrhosis increases the risk of liver failure, liver cancer, and other life-threatening complications.

●Liver Cancer: Fatty liver disease, particularly when it progresses to cirrhosis, significantly increases the risk of developing liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma). Cirrhosis is one of the leading causes of liver cancer worldwide.

●Cardiovascular Disease: Individuals with fatty liver disease are at an increased risk of developing cardiovascular problems, including heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure. This is because the same factors (such as insulin resistance, obesity, and high cholesterol) that contribute to fatty liver also contribute to heart disease.

Treatment

Currently, there are no specific medications for the treatment of fatty liver disease. However, several treatment strategies focus on addressing the underlying causes of the disease to prevent further liver damage. Take a look at some of the most common approaches:

●Lifestyle Modifications:
○Weight Loss: Losing weight through a combination of a healthy diet and regular exercise is one of the most effective ways to reduce liver fat while keeping yourself healthy.

○Healthy Diet: Eating a balanced meal that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats can help bring down the fat level and improve overall health. Please note voiding sugary foods, processed foods, and excessive alcohol is essential to reverse your liver condition.

○Exercise: Regular physical activity can help eliminate fat accumulation in the liver and improve insulin sensitivity.

●Managing Underlying Conditions: If you have diabetes, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure, it is crucial to manage these conditions through medication and lifestyle changes for a healthy liver.

●Medications: Although no specific medications are approved for fatty liver disease, medications are used to treat underlying conditions. If you are diagnosed with fatty liver, kindly reach out to a gastroenterologist for a professional health consultation.

●Liver Transplant: In severe cases of fatty liver disease, particularly when cirrhosis or liver failure occurs, a liver transplant becomes necessary.

How to Prevent a Fatty Liver?

Preventing fatty liver is largely about maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Here are some key strategies:

●Maintain a Healthy Weight: Ensure to maintain a healthy body weight. Avoid drastic weight loss, as it can worsen liver problems.
●Eat a Balanced Diet: Focus on a diet that is rich in fibre, proteins, and healthy fats. Limit the intake of processed foods and sugary drinks.
●Exercise Regularly: Engaging in regular physical activity improves insulin resistance in your body, keeping fatty liver disease at bay.
●Regular Check-ups: If you have risk factors for fatty liver, such as obesity or diabetes, make sure to have regular medical check-ups to pinpoint any early signs of liver problems.

How Health Insurance Can Help with Fatty Liver Disease?

Managing fatty liver disease requires regular medical check-ups, diagnostic tests, lifestyle interventions, and sometimes medications or procedures. Health insurance can help cover the costs associated with these treatments and provide access to the necessary care. Insurance plans at Star Health can help reduce the financial burden of regular doctor visits, lab tests, imaging, and prescription medications. To get more details about the suitable health plan for fatty liver, kindly refer to the official website of Star Health or visit our nearest branch.

Conclusion

The good news is that it is possible to reverse fatty liver disease through certain lifestyle changes, such as reducing alcohol intake, managing weight, and adjusting diet. Such changes could prevent further liver damage and scarring. For patients with AFLD, it is crucial not to drink alcohol at all. For those who need help quitting drinking, consider attending a detoxification program and counselling.

Generally, the outlook for fatty liver disease is more favourable when treatment begins in the early stages, before fibrosis and cirrhosis. You need to follow your doctor’s recommended treatment plan and follow an overall healthy routine.