Fatty liver refers to the abundant accumulation of fat inside liver cells. Fatty liver disease is when more than 5% of liver tissue consists of fat droplets. As a result of high-fat accumulation, the liver can become significantly enlarged. Fatty liver disease is the most common liver disease and is found in about a quarter of adults. In normal-weight it occurs in 1-2 out of ten, in obese, especially waist obese in 7-8 out of ten.
Fatty liver disease is usually diagnosed between the ages of 40 and 60, but as a result of the current obesity epidemic, it is also increasingly being found in children and young adults.
In some people, mild liver cell damage and an inflammatory reaction seen on microscopic examination are seen with fatty liver. Such a condition is technically called “non-alcoholic steatohepatitis” (NASH). These fatty liver-related changes are more common in about three in a hundred people who are normal, in 1-2 out of ten who are overweight, and in those who are morbidly obese (overweight at least 40 pounds) more often than every fourth.
Causes of fatty liver
Overweight, especially waist obesity, is the most significant cause of fatty liver, but it also occurs in normal-weight people. One in three overweight people has fatty liver. Fatty liver is caused by the metabolic disorders caused by too much adipose tissue in the abdominal cavity.
Fatty liver is strongly associated with metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes, disorders of lipid metabolism, and hypertension. People with diabetes and metabolic syndrome have an increased risk of developing fatty liver disease. Fatty liver can also be caused by, for example, pregnancy, rapid weight loss, eating disorders, excessive use of fructose, chronic infections, or some medications.
Fatty liver is divided into non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and alcohol-induced fatty liver. In almost 70% of cases, the fatty liver is not due to heavy alcohol consumption. If the liver has inflammation in addition to fat accumulation, we speak of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).
The quality of food affects the formation of fatty liver. In particular, the use of fructose (which is half of household sugar) and other fast carbohydrates increases liver oiliness. According to the 2012 study found that obese individuals sugary soft drink (cola) extensive use of half-year period increased the amount of liver fat. The quality of the fat is also affected. Hard (saturated) fats increase the fattening of liver cells more than soft fats.
Symptoms of liver failure
The liver has more than 500 functions, so its failure has many consequences. The spectrum of symptoms is also wide.
Hepatic impairment is not necessarily due to alcohol, but the symptoms below may also occur in advanced liver disease for other reasons.
Symptoms of liver failure include:
- Yellowish eye whites and skin
- Feeling of pressure in the liver area
- Accumulation of fluid in the abdomen, bloating
- Hypersensitivity to bleeding, bruising
- Muscle loss
- Fatigue
- Spider-like hemorrhages on the skin
- Suddenly, dark under-eyes appear that are not due to poor sleep
- Dark urine
- Swelling of the ankles and feet
- Skin symptoms such as pruritus
- Changes in the color, composition, and odor of faeces.
Fatty liver self-care
Fatty liver disease can be both prevented and treated with its own measures. Weight loss has been shown to be very effective in reducing liver fat. A few percent weight loss can reduce liver fat by more than ten percent. Exercise as such without weight loss also reduces liver fat. The most effective way to reduce the amount of fat in the liver is to lose weight and exercise together. The quality of the diet may also play a role: low-fat foods may reduce fatty liver, but there are no proper studies of its effectiveness without weight loss.
If the fatty liver is due to heavy alcohol consumption, a clear reduction in alcohol can restore the amount of fat in the liver to normal. Waist fat should be especially restrained in the use of alcohol.
Fatty liver disease treatment
The primary goal of treatment is moderate weight loss. A suitable rate is 1-2 pounds per month. A 10 percent weight loss reduces the size of the liver and the amount of fat in the liver decreases proportionately more than in other parts of the body. The cornerstones of weight loss are dietary changes and increased exercise. There is no drug treatment for fatty liver. In the case of inflammation of the fatty liver, drugs for the treatment of insulin resistance, such as metformin and insulin sensitizers, may be used. In addition to lifestyle changes, good treatment for other possible diseases, such as diabetes and lipid metabolism disorders, is important.
In the case of a fatty liver disease associated with alcohol consumption, alcohol consumption should be discontinued. Alcohol always strains the liver, which is why it is good to keep its consumption reasonable.
If, in addition to fat, the liver has an inflammatory reaction, or steatohepatitis, the situation is more serious. Inflammation, or fibrosis, can then form in the liver as a result of inflammation, which in some individuals can develop into cirrhosis of the liver. Cirrhosis of the liver is always associated with a risk of liver cancer. Severe hepatic steatosis increases the risk of inflammation, but heredity is also affected. Cirrhosis of the liver is the final stage of liver disease. It can certainly be detected only by biopsy, ie by taking a biopsy of the liver.
Cirrhosis can also develop in those whose fatty liver is caused by something other than alcohol. Women get cirrhosis of the liver more easily than men. Genetic factors also play a role
Fatty liver disease prevention
For hereditary reasons, the susceptibility to liver fat accumulation is individual. Some people tolerate being overweight without fatty liver, but because the hereditary tendency of fatty liver is very common, the clearest overweight focused on the waist begins to fatty liver.
Even if inherited susceptibility, fat is not liver-rich kerry without waist obesity or heavy alcohol consumption. Thus, everyone can prevent the formation of fatty liver by keeping the weight normal and the consumption of alcohol reasonable. The risk of fatty liver disease is reduced if the use of sugar and hard fats is considered reasonable.
Exercise also matters. Too little exercise increases the susceptibility to fat accumulation in the liver. Similarly, exercise can curb fat accumulation.
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