Fatty Liver
This can be alcoholic fatty liver disease or nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease often called NAFLD, is a liver problem that affects people who drink little to no alcohol. In NAFLD, too much fat builds up in the liver. It is seen most often in people who are diabetic and/or overweight or obese.
NAFLD (newly coined term- metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease -MASLD) is becoming more common, especially in India as the number of people with obesity rises. It is the most common form of liver disease in the world. NAFLD ranges in severity from hepatic steatosis, called fatty liver, to a more severe form of disease called nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Experts also have recommended changing the name nonalcoholic steatohepatitis to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH).
NASH causes the liver to swell and become damaged due to the fat deposits in the liver. NASH may get worse and may lead to serious liver scarring, called cirrhosis, and even liver cancer. This damage is like the damage caused by heavy alcohol use. It forms part of a metabolic syndrome that includes diabetes mellitus, obesity, high cholesterol and hypertension – all of which increases the risk of cardiovascular events such as a heart attack or stroke.
How Do I Know If I Have It?
Most people with fatty liver disease do not know they have it. There are usually no symptoms till late. You must consult a liver specialist for the below mentioned symptoms.
- Fatigue
- Not feeling well, or malaise
- Pain or discomfort in the upper right belly area.
Possible symptoms of NASH and cirrhosis, or severe scarring, include:
- Itchy skin.
- Abdominal swelling/ water in the abdomen, also called ascites.
- Shortness of breath
- Swelling of the legs.
- Spider-like blood vessels just beneath the skin's surface.
- Enlarged spleen
- Red palms.
- Yellowing of the skin and eyes, or jaundice
Your doctor can do tests to check your liver’s health.
- Blood test- e.g. Liver function test, Lipid panel, Hepatitis panel, Diabetes panel
- Radiology - e.g. US, CT, MRI, Fibroscan/ Elastography
- Liver biopsy – if indicated
If you have a Fatty Liver/to prevent fatty liver disease, what should you do?
- Weight loss is the key.
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Have a healthy diet.
- Regular exercise
- Control your diabetes.
- Lower your cholesterol.
- Protect your liver by Limiting the alcohol intake and avoiding herbal remedies.