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( Sources Reviewed by Brunilda Nazario, MD on November 03, 2017
This tool does not provide medical advic
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Visual Guide to Fatty Liver Disease
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More Widespread Than You Realize
Fatty liver could be the most common disease
you've never heard of. At least 1 out of 4 people have it, which is more
people than diabetes and arthritis combined. And lots of those who
have it may not know they have it -- or even what it is. Most
times, this liver disease is mild, but it can lead to more serious health
problems. Yet you can often control or reverse fatty liver with smart changes
to your lifestyle.
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What Is It?
When too much fat builds up in your liver,
that's fatty liver disease. There are two basic types: nonalcoholic
fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and alcoholic fatty liver disease,
also called alcoholic steatohepatitis. Sometimes, the extra fat can trigger
changes that stop your liver from working well. Since your liver filters toxins
out of your blood, that could make you very sick.
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Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
The most common type of fatty liver disease is
usually harmless. But some people develop a more severe version called
nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). That's when your liver gets swollen, which
can lead to cirrhosis (scars on the liver that don't heal) and a greater chance
of liver cancer and heart disease. Experts think NASH is about to become the
leading reason for liver transplants.
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Who Does NAFLD Affect?
Experts don't fully understand why some people
get it and others don't. But you're more likely to if you're overweight or
obese; have diabetes, high cholesterol and triglycerides, high blood pressure,
or hepatitis C and other liver infections; or take certain medications,
including steroids or drugs for cancer or heart problems. Most people with this
type of fatty liver are middle-aged. But the disease can happen to anyone, even
kids.
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Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
People who drink a lot -- more than one drink
a day for women and two for men -- get this type. Being obese or a woman raises
your chances, too. So can problems that you're born with in your genes. This
can be the first stage of more serious problems. If you keep drinking, you could
go on to have alcoholic hepatitis, cirrhosis, liver failure, and higher odds of
liver cancer.
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Symptoms
Most of the time, there are none. That's why
so many people who have it don't realize they do. But some people may feel pain
or pressure in the middle or right side of their belly, or be very tired. And
sometimes, fatty liver and related problems can make you lose your appetite and
lose weight.
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Diagnosis
Because it often has no symptoms, doctors can
miss fatty liver disease. Typical lab tests may not catch it either.
Special blood tests can check how well your
liver works. Your doctor may want to do an ultrasound or CT scan to see how
your liver looks. You might need a biopsy: The doctor will use a needle to get
a very small sample of your liver to check it for signs of disease.
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Treatment
While there's no medicine for fatty liver
disease, there's a lot you can do on your own to control it -- or even make it
go away. Most important is to change the things about your lifestyle that led
to the condition.
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Lose Weight
Obesity is the main cause of NAFLD. So if
you're heavy, talk with your doctor to come up with a plan to work off some
weight based on healthy eating (with fewer calories) and being more active. A
pound or two a week is good -- lose too fast, and you can actually make fatty
liver disease worse. Dropping just 3% to 5% of your body weight can help.
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Exercise
Even if it's hard for you to exercise enough
to help you lose weight, moderate activity -- brisk walking for 150 minutes
every week -- can get rid of some of the fat in your liver.
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Don't Drink
When you have alcoholic fatty liver disease,
the most important thing to do is stop drinking. It may not be easy, but the
benefits are big, especially if you catch it early -- you may be able to
completely reverse the damage. If you think you have a problem with alcohol,
talk to your doctor.
Cutting out alcohol can help with nonalcoholic
fatty liver disease, too.
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Take Care of Your Health
Get treatment for related medical conditions,
like diabetes and high cholesterol. Ask your doctor if you can stop taking
medications that might cause fatty liver disease or switch to different ones.
See your doctor (or a liver expert, called a hepatologist) regularly to keep on
top of any changes you might need to make to your treatment plan over time.
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Be Kind to Your Liver
You may need shots for hepatitis A, hepatitis
B, the flu, and pneumococcal disease to protect your liver and keep you
healthy. Also, tell your doctor before you start taking any new
medicine, vitamin, or supplement. Even over-the-counter drugs can be hard on
your liver.
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Prevention
The same healthy habits that treat fatty liver
can lower your chances of getting it. Exercise regularly. Eat a nutritious
diet, with good-for-you fats and lots of veggies, fruits, and whole grains.
Limit your alcohol. Work with your doctor to manage your health, and follow
directions for any medication you take.
Here's a nice bonus: These strategies also
help you avoid other problems, like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
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