Fatty Liver Disease: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Fatty liver disease, also known as hepatic steatosis, is a condition in which there is an excessive buildup of fat in the liver. This can lead to inflammation of the liver (hepatitis) and damage to the liver cells.
Causes of Fatty Liver Disease
There are two main types of fatty liver disease:
- Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common type of fatty liver disease. It is not caused by alcohol consumption.
- Alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD) is caused by excessive alcohol consumption.
NAFLD is often associated with obesity, diabetes, and high cholesterol. Other risk factors for NAFLD include:
- High blood pressure
- Rapid weight loss
- Use of certain medications
- Viral hepatitis
- Genetic disorders
AFLD is caused by the toxic effects of alcohol on the liver. The risk of AFLD increases with the amount of alcohol consumed and the duration of alcohol use.
Symptoms of Fatty Liver Disease
Fatty liver disease often does not cause any symptoms in its early stages. As the condition progresses, symptoms may include:
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Loss of appetite
- Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
- Swelling in the legs and ankles
In severe cases, fatty liver disease can lead to liver failure, which can be fatal.
Treatment for Fatty Liver Disease
The treatment for fatty liver disease depends on the cause of the condition.
Treatment for NAFLD
The goal of treatment for NAFLD is to reduce the amount of fat in the liver. This can be done by:
- Losing weight
- Improving diet
- Exercising regularly
- Taking medication to lower cholesterol or blood sugar
Treatment for AFLD
The goal of treatment for AFLD is to stop drinking alcohol. This will allow the liver to heal and reduce the risk of further damage.
In some cases, a liver transplant may be necessary to treat severe fatty liver disease.
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