Fatty liver disease is a common problem in many people these days, caused by poor diet and lack of physical activity. Previously, this condition was more prevalent among those who consumed excessive alcohol, but now even those who never drank alcohol are increasingly affected by this condition, also known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This condition can be quite dangerous because it acts as a silent killer, initially causing only mild symptoms but can gradually progress to liver failure.
People with fatty liver experience many common symptoms, such as fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, and pain in the upper right abdomen, which are often overlooked. However, if not addressed promptly, it can lead to jaundice, abdominal swelling, and even liver cirrhosis. Therefore, if you experience any of these symptoms, you should immediately consult your doctor.
What is fatty liver?
The liver is the second largest organ in our body, located in the upper right part of our abdomen, below the ribs. It performs more than 500 functions, including cleaning the blood to remove toxins, producing bile for digestion, and producing proteins and enzymes, storing energy, and breaking down drugs. Fatty liver is a condition in which excess fat accumulates in the liver cells, often exceeding 5 to 10% of the liver’s total weight.
This condition can occur in three stages:
- 1. Simple fatty liver – When inflammation initially begins in the liver and there are no specific symptoms, it is called simple fatty liver.
- 2. Steatohepatitis (NASH) – When inflammation in the liver gradually increases, liver cells gradually become damaged, and symptoms of fatty liver begin to appear.
- 3. Liver Cirrhosis – This is the most dangerous condition of fatty liver when fat gets completely accumulated in the liver and the inflammation increases a lot, in this condition the liver completely shrinks and stops working, due to which the risk of liver failure increases and diseases like liver cancer can occur.
Why does fatty liver occur?
There are several important reasons for fatty liver. Often, we unknowingly make our liver fatty due to our poor lifestyle habits, such as lack of exercise and a balanced diet. Let’s explore the main causes:
- poor diet and excessive consumption of junk food, cold drinks, and sugary foods lead to fat accumulation in the liver.
- Uncontrolled sugar levels in type 2 diabetes put additional pressure on the liver, which can lead to fatty liver.
- Fatty liver develops when the level of bad cholesterol in the blood increases.
- Due to busy lifestyles, people often work in a sedentary position for hours and lack time to exercise, which gradually weakens the body and causes fat to accumulate in the liver.
- Obese people experience increased abdominal fat accumulation in the liver.
- This problem is most common in people who consume excessive alcohol.
- Certain medications and diseases, such as PCOS or thyroid problems, also cause fatty liver.
Visible symptoms of fatty liver
If you see some such symptoms of fatty liver, then you should understand that you have a problem of fatty liver and should immediately consult a doctor – If you are feeling a constant mild pain or heaviness in the upper right part of your stomach. Suddenly your appetite has reduced and your weight has started decreasing rapidly. Swelling in your legs or yellowness in eyes and skin appears and symptoms of jaundice appear. You start feeling constantly tired and weak. Swelling and water retention in the stomach (edema). Feeling a state of mental confusion due to the liver not reducing properly.
Prevention and Solution
To prevent fatty liver, you should eat a healthy diet that includes green vegetables, fruits, and fiber-rich grains. Exercise daily by walking for 30 to 40 minutes, doing yoga, and various other exercises. Control your weight; obesity can significantly cause fatty liver. Alcohol abusers should stop drinking alcohol completely.
