Fatty liver disease is a common condition caused by the storage of extra fat in the liver. Most people have no symptoms, and it doesn’t cause serious problems for them. In some cases, though, it can lead to liver damage. The good news is you can often prevent or even reverse fatty liver disease with lifestyle changes.
What are the symptoms?
Generally, fatty liver disease does not have any symptoms. You may experience some vague symptoms like lethargy, nausea or abdominal discomfort. However, when fatty liver disease progresses to cirrhosis, you may have symptoms of cirrhosis.
What causes fatty liver disease ?
The common etiology for fatty liver disease include:
- Obesity
- Hyperlipidemia
- Diabetes mellitus
- Metabolic syndrome
- Certain medications for example corticosteroid therapy
How is fatty liver disease diagnosed?
It is detected on liver function tests , usually with some deranged liver enzymes. It can be seen on imaging like ultrasound or cross-sectional imaging. Fibroscan can be used to measure the degree of severity of fatty liver. In certain situations, liver biopsy may be needed to determine how advanced the disease has progressed.
How is fatty liver disease treated?
There is no specific medication to treat fatty liver disease. Lifestyle modification is the key to the management of this condition. Dietary modification and healthy weight loss can help to improve the condition. Avoiding alcohol can slow the progression and in certain situations may reverse the condition. Strict control of other cardiovascular risk factors e.g. hyperlipidemia and diabetes mellitus will also improve the fatty liver condition.
