Non-alcoholic fatty liver is a disease in which there is accumulation of fat in the liver. It is important to clarify that this condition is not caused by excessive alcohol consumption.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver is a type of fatty liver that is not associated with alcohol consumption. Of this, there are two types:
- simple fatty liver: There is fat in the liver but little or no inflammation or damage to the liver cells. This type of condition does not cause serious damage to this organ.
- Non-alcoholic hepatic steatosis: Unlike simple fatty liver, in this case there is inflammation, fat and damage to the liver cells. May cause liver cancer or cirrhosis.
According to the Mayo Clinic, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease usually has no symptoms. When they do occur, the person may experience fatigue and pain in the upper abdomen.
Regarding the causes of this disease, the National Institutes of Health of the United States indicate that experts continue to study them. “Research suggests that certain health conditions, genes, diet and digestive system may make a person more likely to develop non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.”
There are some factors that increase the risk of developing this disease:
- High cholesterol.
- High levels of triglycerides in the blood.
- Metabolic syndrome.
- Obesity, particularly when the fat is concentrated in the abdomen.
- Polycystic ovary syndrome.
- Sleep apnea.
- Type 2 diabetes.
- Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism).
- Underactive pituitary gland (hypopituitarism).
- Old people.
- People with diabetes.
- People with body fat concentrated in the abdomen.
How to fight the disease?
In case of symptoms of this condition, it is important to consult a doctor to receive the appropriate professional care and start treatment in a timely manner. Medline Plus, the website of the United States National Library of Medicine, explains that “There is no specific treatment for NAFLD. The goal is to manage your risk factors and any medical conditions.”
Some of the recommendations that the doctor may indicate to cope with the disease include:
- If you are overweight, it is essential to lose weight.
- Have a balanced diet, especially with a low salt content.
- Do not consume alcoholic beverages.
- Exercise regularly.
- Control other health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol or triglycerides.
liver damage
toxic hepatitis
Toxic hepatitis is inflammation of the liver from exposure to some substances such as alcohol, chemicals, or medications. “The liver helps the body break down some of them,” details Medline Plus and, in turn, mentions some that can cause liver damage:
- Amiodarone.
- Anabolic steroids.
- Contraceptive pills.
- Chlorpromazine.
- Erythromycin.
- Halothane (a type of anesthesia).
- Methyldopa.
- Isoniazid.
- Methotrexate.
- Statins.
- Sulfamidas
- Tetracyclines.
- Amoxicillin-clavulanate.
- Some antiepileptic drugs.
Liver cancer
Symptoms
Generally, at the beginning of this disease, people do not have symptoms. Then, over time, some of the signs can be:
- Weight loss for no reason.
- loss of appetite
- Pain in the upper part of the abdomen.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- General weakness and fatigue.
- Abdominal swelling.
- Yellowish discoloration of the skin and the whites of the eyes (jaundice).
- White or whitish stools.
Causes
There are some conditions or unhealthy habits that increase the risk factor for liver cancer. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention mention them:
- Being overweight or obese.
- Having a long-term infection with the hepatitis B virus or hepatitis C virus.
- Smoking cigarettes.
- Drink alcohol.
- Having cirrhosis (scarring of the liver, which can also be caused by hepatitis and alcohol use).
- Having non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (extra fat in the liver that is not caused by alcohol).
- Have diabetes or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
- Suffering from hemochromatosis, a condition in which the body absorbs and stores more iron than it needs.
- Eating foods that have aflatoxin (a fungus that can grow in products such as grains and nuts that are not stored properly).