Fatty Liver Disease

Fatty liver disease (SLD) is excess fat in the liver. Metabolic conditions and alcohol abuse are risk factors. Depending on the type of SLD you have, the fat buildup may not cause a problem or it may cause liver damage. Often, you can prevent or even reverse SLD with medications and lifestyle changes.

What is fatty liver disease?

Fatty liver disease (SLD) includes several conditions that are related to fatty degeneration of the liver. “Steatosis” is a term healthcare providers use to describe the buildup of fat in an organ, usually the liver. A healthy, functioning liver contains a small amount of fat. When fat buildup reaches more than 5% of the liver’s weight, it becomes a problem.

What are the signs and symptoms of fatty liver disease?

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SLD doesn’t always cause symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they include:

▸Abdominal pain or a feeling of fullness in the upper right side of the abdomen.

▸Extreme tiredness or weakness (fatigue).

More commonly, people notice symptoms once SLD has progressed to cirrhosis. When cirrhosis develops, you may experience:

▸Nausea.

▸Loss of appetite.

▸Unexplained weight loss.

▸Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice).

▸Swelling of the abdomen (ascites)

▸Swelling of the legs, feet, or hands (edema).

▸Bleeding (found by your doctor in your esophagus, stomach, or rectum).

What causes fatty liver disease?

SLD has many causes. However, you are more likely to develop SLD if you have cardiometabolic risk factors, drink too much alcohol, or both. You are more likely to develop SLD if you:

▸Have alcohol use disorder (frequent or heavy drinking).

▸Have metabolic syndrome (insulin resistance, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high triglyceride levels).

▸Have type 2 diabetes.

▸Be overweight (BMI 25 to 29.9 kg/m2).

▸Have obesity (BMI 30 kg/m2 and above).

▸Have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

▸ Have obstructive sleep apnea.

▸ Have hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone levels).

▸ Have hypopituitarism (low pituitary hormone levels).

▸ Have hypogonadism (low sex hormone levels).

▸ Take certain prescription medications, such as amiodarone (Cordarone®), diltiazem (Cardizem®), tamoxifen (Nolvadex®), or steroids. (Fat buildup in the liver can be a side effect of medication.)

What are the complications of SLD?

If left untreated, fatty liver disease can progress to cirrhosis, which can lead to liver failure, liver cancer, and cancers outside the liver. People with MASLD are also at increased risk for heart disease. Heart disease, not liver disease, is the leading cause of death in people with MASLD.

How can fatty liver disease be prevented?

The best way to avoid SLD is to stay generally healthy:

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▸ Get regular exercise.

▸ Limit alcohol consumption.

▸ Maintain a healthy weight.

▸ If you have type 2 diabetes or metabolic syndrome, take medication as prescribed.

What diets should people with SLD follow?

If your SLD is weight-related, follow a balanced diet to lose weight slowly but steadily. Healthcare providers often recommend staying away from sugar and trying the Mediterranean diet, which is rich in vegetables, fruits, and good fats. Other foods and diets rich in nuts, seeds, whole grains, fish, and chicken are also good food choices for SLD. It’s also important to avoid eating too much red meat or drinking sugary drinks.

Will fatty liver disease go away?

Depending on the severity of the condition, it may be possible to get rid of SLD and even some scarring. Your liver has an amazing ability to repair itself. If you follow your provider’s treatment plan, it may be possible to reduce liver fat and inflammation. You can prevent damage from getting worse and, in some cases, reverse early liver damage.