02:24 PM
Sunday 13 March 2022
Books – Syed Metwally
Fatty liver disease comes in two main forms. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a term for a group of conditions caused by a buildup of fat in the liver. You can also develop alcohol-related liver disease, which is liver damage caused by drinking too much alcohol.
Liver problems develop silently with no obvious symptoms in the early stages, yet the disease can be largely prevented through lifestyle changes.
The disease tends to develop in people who are overweight or obese, have diabetes, have high cholesterol or high triglycerides, according to the British Express website.
A healthy liver should contain little or no fat. The American Liver Foundation says that if more than five to 10 percent of the liver’s weight is fat, it is called fatty liver.
According to the Cleveland Clinic Health Authority, symptoms of fatty liver disease often do not appear until the disease progresses to cirrhosis, which is when scarring occurs in the liver.
If you have symptoms, they may include abdominal pain or a feeling of fullness in the upper right side of the abdomen, you may also experience nausea, loss of appetite, or weight loss
cirrhosis
Cirrhosis is the result of long-term and persistent damage to the liver and may be due to many different causes.
The damage leads to scarring known as fibrosis. Irregular bumps (nodules) replace smooth liver tissue and the liver becomes more rigid. Together, the scarring and nodules are called cirrhosis.
Some of the other symptoms, as the liver struggles to function, are: forgetfulness, memory loss, confusion and drowsiness, and some people also experience slight changes in personality.
If you have any of the following symptoms, you should see a doctor right away, especially if you were recently diagnosed with cirrhosis:
Fever with high temperature and shivering, often caused by an infection
Shortness of breath
vomiting blood
Very dark or black, tarry stools (faeces)
Periods of mental confusion or drowsiness
Although these symptoms may seem very different, because the liver is responsible for so many different functions, if it stops working properly, a host of problems can result.”
The Mayo Clinic says you should make an appointment with your doctor if you have persistent signs and symptoms that worry you.
If you have severe cirrhosis, stage 4 fatty liver disease and your liver stops working properly, you may need a liver transplant.
There is currently no medication that can cure nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, but different medications can be helpful in managing the problems associated with this condition.
The early stage of fatty liver usually doesn’t cause any harm, but it can lead to serious liver damage, if the condition gets worse.
High levels of fat in the liver are also linked to an increased risk of other health problems, such as diabetes, high blood pressure and kidney disease.
If detected and managed at an early stage, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease can be prevented from getting worse and the amount of fat in the liver reduced.
