FATTY LIVER

 Basic information

description

• Fatty liver means there is excess fat in your liver. It is a common condition. There are two types of fatty liver. One is NAFLD (nonalcoholic fatty liver disease) in non-alcohol users. The other type is ALD (alcoholic liver disease) in alcohol users.
• Fatty liver may cause no damage (be harmless). The medical name is steatosis. Some people with fatty liver also develop inflammation of the liver. This is called NASH (nonalcoholic steatohepatitis) or alcoholic steatohepatitis depending on alcohol use. Inflammation can lead to other liver problems (e.g., fibrosis and cirrhosis).

FREQUENT SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

• Most often, there are no symptoms. Fatty liver may be found during medical testing for other conditions.
• If symptoms occur, they may be vague. A person may feel tired or have mild pain in the abdomen.

causes

It is unclear just how the liver becomes fatty. The liver does not process, break down, and store fats as it normally should. Insulin resistance and genetics may play a role. Why liver inflammation develops in some people with fatty liver is also unclear.

risk increases with

• Alcoholism.
• Obesity and overweight.
• Diabetes.
• High level of blood fats (cholesterol and triglycerides).
• Metabolic syndrome (a cluster of risk factors).
• Bypass surgery for obesity.
• Other rare risk factors for fatty liver include: certain prescribed drugs, toxins (such as organic solvents), nutrition problems (e.g., rapid weight loss), pregnancy complication, and some other diseases or disorders.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

• None specific. Reduce your risks where possible.
• Get medical care for treatable risk factors.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Exercise daily.
• Maintain normal blood fats and blood sugar levels.
• Avoid excess alcohol.

expected outcomes

• In NAFLD, simple fatty liver is usually harmless. It is still important to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Lose weight if needed and increase your exercise levels.
• In ALD, stopping alcohol reverses simple fatty liver.
• Patients with liver inflammation can take steps to help prevent or reverse some of the liver damage.

possible complications

• Fibrosis and cirrhosis (liver scarring and hardening).
• Liver failure, cancer, or a need for liver transplant.

 diagnosis & treatment

general measures

• Your health care provider may suspect fatty liver if routine lab tests show abnormal liver function or a slightly enlarged liver is felt in a physical exam. Questions will be asked about your medical history, diet, and alcohol use. Medical tests help rule out other liver disorders. Tests may include blood studies, ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI. A biopsy may be needed to confirm liver inflammation. In a biopsy, a sample of liver tissue is removed for an exam under a microscope.
• For nonalcoholic liver inflammation (or NASH), a cure has not been found. Certain treatments may help. These include weight loss and an increase in exercise. Patients need to control their diabetes and lower the blood fats in the body with diet and/or drugs. Weight loss surgery may be an option in a few cases.
• For alcohol-related fatty liver and alcoholic hepatitis, you will be advised to stop alcohol use. This will help prevent further liver damage. Other treatments are like those for NASH (e.g., diet, exercise, etc.).
• If fatty liver is due to a drug, a toxin, or other rare cause, treatment will be aimed at that specific problem.
• All patients with liver disorders should have regular medical check ups to monitor their liver function.

medications

• Drugs may be prescribed for an underlying cause.
• Research is ongoing to study the treatment benefits of new or existing drugs and certain diet supplements.

activity

Get regular exercise (daily is best). Your health care provider can help plan a program that fits your lifestyle.

diet

Eat a healthy diet. Overweight and obese patients are advised to lose weight on a gradual basis. Consult a dietitian for advice on meal planning.

 notify our office if

After diagnosis of fatty liver, you or a family member has questions, concerns, or needs help with treatment.

Special Notes: