What is Fatty liver and why should you be worried

Ever wondered why it’s said “mere jigar ka tukda” in Hindi? Well, the liver is a vital organ that performs a large number of functions, including filtering and transforming toxic substances into harmless ones.

A healthy liver can regenerate itself, but if fatty deposits and reduced function damage it, this ability can be compromised. Damage to your liver can be caused by several different conditions, including fatty liver disease, hepatitis C infection, and chronic alcoholism.

Fatty liver disease is a condition that affects the liver, and it can result from drinking too much alcohol or even having long-term diabetes. It may also be caused by obesity, high cholesterol levels, or other factors. Fatty liver disease is the accumulation of excess fat in liver cells. It is not a disease in itself but a sign of another condition.

CAUSES:

• Alcohol abuse: Alcohol abuse is a leading cause of fatty liver disease. Alcohol is a toxin that can damage liver cells, but it’s not the only cause. Other factors that increase your risk include obesity, diabetes, and high cholesterol.
• Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is common among people with diabetes or who are overweight or obese — Fatty liver disease can be reversed by treating obesity and associated diseases, including:

1. Diabetes
2. Hypertension (high blood pressure)
3. Dyslipidemia (abnormal blood fat levels)
4. Obesity — a leading cause:

The best way to prevent Non — Alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is to maintain a healthy weight through diet and exercise. If you are unable to lose weight through these methods on your own, talk to your doctor about using an FDA-approved medication for weight loss. But the weight loss has to be pretty significant. To resolve Non-alcoholic liver disease, you must lose about 7% of your body weight.

CONSEQUENCES OF FATTY LIVER:

• Fatty liver disease can lead to nonalcoholic disorder, which can cause liver scarring and hardening that may eventually lead to cirrhosis (i.e severe scarring).
• It can lead to liver failure or liver cancer.
• NASH affects about 10% of people with type 2 diabetes and up to 5% without diabetes.
• It’s also more common among older adults and those with other severe health conditions such as heart failure or an inflammatory bowel disorder.

CONCLUSION

• It is important to remember that fatty liver disease can be reversed by treating obesity and associated diseases. The most effective fatty liver treatment involves a change in lifestyle. Weight loss is helpful.
• Losing weight can also help reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in people with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
• Better nutrition can help, too. Try to avoid weight gain and increase your exercise.
• Limit your alcohol use. Alcohol can have harmful effects on liver disease.
• You might also consider washing your fruits and vegetables before eating. This can lower your exposure to pesticides.
• Right now, there are no FDA-approved treatments for fatty liver disease. Studies have shown that vitamin E and diabetes medications that also cause weight loss may help patients with NASH. Several promising drugs are being tested in clinical trials.