Fatty liver refers to a condition in which triglycerides accumulate within liver cells, and its causes are varied. Metabolic factors such as obesity, visceral obesity, sarcopenia, insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia, as well as a family history of fatty liver disease, can influence its development. Alcohol also causes triglyceride deposition in the liver. In addition, medications such as steroids, certain genetic disorders, and hepatitis C can be causes of the condition, and in some cases, fatty liver disease is found without any identifiable cause.
You can develop fatty liver disease even if you don’t drink much alcohol. While “alcoholic fatty liver disease” is caused by excessive drinking, “non-alcoholic fatty liver disease” is a common liver condition that can occur regardless of alcohol consumption. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease can be caused by genetic factors, poor dietary habits, and a lack of exercise. Metabolic disorders such as obesity, diabetes, dyslipidemia, visceral obesity, and sarcopenia are major risk factors.
Since fatty liver disease typically does not cause symptoms, it is usually diagnosed incidentally during routine health screenings. However, if fatty liver disease progresses to cirrhosis, complications such as jaundice, ascites, weight loss, fatigue, lethargy, and loss of appetite may occur. These symptoms, however, do not appear until liver damage has advanced significantly. Therefore, if abnormal liver function is consistently detected during screenings, it is necessary to identify the exact cause and receive appropriate treatment.
If you have chronic hepatitis that has persisted for more than six months, or if an upper abdominal ultrasound suggests liver fibrosis due to a rough-textured liver, further diagnostic testing is essential. Although a diagnosis of fatty liver is often made, there are cases where other causes, such as autoimmune hepatitis, are present. If these are overlooked, appropriate treatment may not be provided, potentially leading to progression to liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. Therefore, further testing is necessary if hepatitis does not improve even after addressing the underlying cause of the fatty liver.
Fatty liver can be diagnosed through imaging tests (non-invasive methods), such as upper abdominal ultrasound and fibrosis scans, or through a liver biopsy (invasive method). Treatment for fatty liver involves identifying and addressing the underlying cause. In cases where fatty liver is accompanied by overweight or obesity, reducing body fat through dietary changes and exercise is necessary. In addition, treating underlying metabolic disorders helps prevent the progression of fatty liver disease and complications such as cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.
If fat continues to accumulate in the liver, it can lead to fatty liver inflammation. This is often indicated by elevated liver enzyme levels in blood tests. In cases of steatohepatitis, liver fibrosis can progress at a faster rate than in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and it is known that approximately 21–26% of patients with steatohepatitis progress to cirrhosis over an average of eight years. Additionally, it is known that non-alcoholic fatty liver disease associated with metabolic disorders has a higher incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma—even in the absence of liver fibrosis or cirrhosis—compared to other liver diseases.
To prevent fatty liver disease, maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly are the most important factors. It is important to avoid foods high in simple sugars and saturated fats, and to reduce body fat and increase muscle mass by regularly engaging in strength or aerobic exercise—such as working out three times a week for at least 30 minutes—that makes you sweat, while ensuring an adequate intake of protein.
(Article provided by Ajou University Hospital)
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Source: Christian Journal (https://www.kcjlogos.org)
