Cure For Fatty Liver Disease

A healthy liver is critical to life, so when we suffer a liver injury, the effects can be far reaching. Fatty liver disease is the build-up of excess fat in the liver cells. Sometimes the excess fat leads to liver inflammation. This condition, called steatohepatitis, does cause liver damage that can result in liver failure. However, there is more to this condition than the name may indicate. In this article, we'll share important information that you need to know to keep your liver in fighting condition.

Simply put, a fatty liver occurs when the liver becomes clogged with fat. People who are most at-risk for this condition are the obese and those who drink too much alcohol. Sometimes fatty liver occurs as a complication of pregnancy. There are usually no symptoms that are noticeable to the patient. In fact, fatty liver is frequently uncovered during a routine physical examination. To be certain of a diagnosis of fatty liver, the physician may recommend a liver biopsy. Under local anesthesia, a slender needle is inserted through the right lower chest. A small piece of liver tissue is taken out with the needle and examined under a microscope.

The most common cause of this liver disease is obesity. It is estimated that 75% of obese individuals are at risk of developing a simple fatty liver. Up to 23% of obese individuals are at risk of developing an inflamed fatty liver. Besides obesity, nutritional causes are starvation and protein malnutrition, intestinal bypass surgery for obesity, and rapid weight loss. Certain conditions often accompany and may contribute to this disease, including diabetes mellitus, elevated lipids in the blood, insulin resistance and high blood pressure. Other causes can include genetic factors, drugs and chemicals, such as alcohol, corticosteroids, tetracycline and carbon tetrachloride.

Fatty liver disease can be reversed with a change in the way you live. If the condition is related to excessive alcohol intake, then speak to your doctor about treatment and alcohol control. With medication and support, you can reduce your drinking and improve your health. If your condition is related to obesity, then you must make a commitment to significant lifestyle changes. Making these changes is easier than you think. You can consult a dietician to develop a menu that is high in fibre and protein and low in fat. It's also important that you increase your level of physical activity. A simple ten minute walk twice a day can drastically improve your condition. You can also do activities that you find enjoyable like walking your dog, gardening or swimming. As you feel better and better, you can increase the time duration and intensity of your exercise routine.

Most patients with fatty liver disease are middle-aged and overweight. The best way to reduce your risk of developing fatty liver is to maintain a healthy weight and normal triglyceride levels. You should also avoid excess alcohol and other substances that could harm your liver. However, the changes can be made after diagnosis. Working closely with your doctor and making the necessary changes to your lifestyle can help to make your liver healthy again.

More about fatty liver disease

Chronic Liver Disease

Chronic liver disease is a liver disease of slow process that persists over a long period of time, resulting in progressive destruction of the liver. This can include a number of illnesses, such as alcoholic liver disease, liver fibrosis, hepatitis, primary biliary cirrhosis, primary sclerosing cholangitis and sarcoidosis.