Fatty liver is a buildup of excess fat in liver cells. Fatty liver can have serious complications if more than 10 percent of the liver's weight is made up of fat.
Fatty liver causes no symptoms or damage for most people. The form of fatty liver that is not caused by alcohol abuse is called nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Severe forms can lead to liver failure.
Tests and Diagnosis
Related Searches
http://www.ehow.com/about_5444278_fatty-liver-symptoms-diagnosis-cure.html?
Risk and Causes
- Fatty liver is found in almost all people who are heavy drinkers. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease has no known exact cause. In addition to alcohol abuse, fatty liver often accompanies rapid weight loss, obesity, diabetes, high triglycerides and malnutrition. Risk factors also include certain medications, gastric bypass surgery, high cholesterol, metabolic syndrome, toxins and chemicals (i.e. pesticides), type 2 diabetes and Wilson's disease.
Symptoms and Forms
- A fatty liver often shows no symptoms. Many people do not know they have fatty liver until they have medical tests. Severe cases may exhibit fatigue, weight loss, abdominal discomfort, weakness and confusion.
- Nonalcoholic fatty liver causes excess liver fat without complications. Nonalcoholic fatty liver is a common condition. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis is inflammation of the liver in a small amount of people with fatty liver. NASH can affect the liver's ability to function, leading to complications. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease-associated cirrhosis is liver inflammation that leads to scarring of liver tissue. The scarring can become so severe that liver failure ensues. Alcoholic steatohepatitis occurs when fatty liver accompanies alcohol abuse and is associated with liver damage due to inflammation.
Tests and Diagnosis
- Liver function blood tests check liver enzymes and can help aid your doctor in making a diagnosis. Imaging such as ultrasound, computerized tomography (CT) scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used. Liver tissue testing is done via biopsy in severe cases of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease to look for inflammation and scarring.
Treatment
- There are no standard medical treatments available for fatty liver disease. Current treatment is to focus on the cause and on risk factors. Alcohol-induced fatty liver generally improves when alcohol is stopped. Increase exercise and lose weight if you are overweight. Eat a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables. Select unsaturated fats over saturated fats in foods such as fish, olive oil and nuts. Eat whole grains such as brown rice. Keep your blood sugar under control if you suffer from diabetes. Patients with high cholesterol should work on lowering it with medication and diet.
Prevention
- A healthy lifestyle is the best way to prevent fatty liver. Avoid anything that stresses the liver, such as alcohol and certain medications. Eat more fruits and vegetables to benefit from the antioxidants they contain. Use household and work chemicals with care and follow proper safety measures; some chemicals can have a toxic effect on the liver.
Related Searches
- Fatty Liver Symptoms
- Health Symptoms Diagnosis
- The Cure for Alcoholism
- Cure Inflammation
- Signs of Liver Disease
eHow.com Search Results on Signs of Liver Disease:
- How to Recognize the Symptoms of Liver DiseaseHow to Recognize the Symptoms of Liver Disease. The liver is considered to be the largest organ in our body and it performs many functions. It directly or ...http://www.ehow.com/how_2002522_symptoms-liver-disease.html
- How to Spot Symptoms of Liver DiseaseHow to Spot Symptoms of Liver Disease. More than 30000 deaths occur annually from liver disease. It strikes in many different ways. The first step in overcoming ...http://www.ehow.com/how_2338265_spot-symptoms-liver-disease.html
- Early Signs of Liver DamageEarly Signs of Liver Damage. The liver is responsible for 500 bodily functions, ranging from the regulation of fats, sugars and cholesterol to processing all that ...http://www.ehow.com/about_4797572_early-signs-liver-damage.html
- How to Recognize the Signs of Liver FailureHow to Recognize the Signs of Liver Failure. Liver failure refers to the rapid deterioration of liver function as a result of a variety of disorders including cirrhosis of ...http://www.ehow.com/how_5469537_recognize-signs-liver-failure.html
- Video: How to Recognize the Symptoms of Liver DiseaseSymptoms that indicate liver disease include changes in skin coloration, ... Learn about symptoms of liver disease, such as difficulty clotting blood, from a family ...http://www.ehow.com/video_4989400_recognize-symptoms-liver-disease.html
- Warning Signs of Liver ProblemsWarning Signs of Liver Problems. Your liver helps your body digest food and filter out toxic substances. If you notice any of the warning signs of liver disease, it is ...http://www.ehow.com/facts_4779598_warning-signs-liver-problems.html
- Symptoms of Liver Disease Due to AlcoholSymptoms of Liver Disease Due to Alcohol. Liver disease as a result of alcohol abuse transpires after years of continually drinking too much alcohol. The longer ...http://www.ehow.com/how-does_4579797_symptoms-liver-disease-due-alcohol.html
- Spotting and Treating the Symptoms of Liver DiseaseLiver disease can take many different forms, and its symptoms are often ... To stay healthy on all fronts, be aware of the signs of liver disease and stop this ...http://www.ehow.com/topic_665_spotting-treating-symptoms-liver-disease.html
- Liver Failure Signs & SymptomsLiver Failure Signs & Symptoms. The liver helps fight infection and cleans the blood. It also digests food and stores energy. Without a properly working liver, you ...http://www.ehow.com/facts_4798751_liver-failure-signs-symptoms.html
- Visible Symptoms of Liver DiseaseVisible Symptoms of Liver Disease. Liver disease, either from alcohol or genetics, involves some sort of inflammation, irritation or scarring to the organ itself.http://www.ehow.com/facts_4797406_visible-symptoms-liver-disease.html
http://www.ehow.com/about_5444278_fatty-liver-symptoms-diagnosis-cure.html?
