Fatty Liver Disease
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Fatty Liver Disease – What You Need to Know
Fatty liver disease is becoming one of the most common liver problems today. Many people don’t realize they have it because it doesn’t always cause symptoms in the early stages. But if ignored, it can lead to serious health issues like liver inflammation, scarring, or even liver failure. Understanding this condition, its causes, and how it can be treated is the first step toward protecting your liver and improving your overall health.
What is Fatty Liver Disease?
Your liver is one of the most important organs in your body. It helps process nutrients, filters toxins, and supports digestion. Fatty liver disease happens when extra fat builds up in the liver cells. A small amount of fat in the liver is normal, but when fat makes up more than 5–10% of the liver’s weight, it starts causing problems.
Fatty liver is often called a “silent disease” because it may not show symptoms for a long time. But over time, it can cause inflammation, liver damage, and complications like cirrhosis or liver cancer if not managed properly.
Types of Fatty Liver Disease
- Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD or MASLD):
This is the most common type, linked to obesity, unhealthy eating habits, diabetes, and sedentary lifestyle. - Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH):
This is a more serious form where fat causes liver inflammation and damage. - Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease:Caused by excessive alcohol consumption, leading to fat accumulation and liver injury.
What Causes Fatty Liver?
Several factors contribute to fatty liver disease, including:
- Obesity or being overweight
- Poor diet high in sugars, fried food, and processed snacks
- Lack of exercise and physical activity
- Diabetes and insulin resistance
- High cholesterol or triglyceride levels
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Genetic factors or family history of liver disease
These factors disturb the way your liver processes fats, leading to fat build-up and inflammation.
What are the Symptoms?
Fatty liver disease often develops quietly. But as the condition worsens, some signs may appear:
- Feeling constantly tired or weak
- Pain or discomfort in the upper right side of the abdomen
- Loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss
- Yellowing of the eyes and skin (jaundice) in advanced stages
- Swelling in the legs or belly in severe liver damage
If you experience these symptoms, it’s important to consult a liver specialist early.
How is Fatty Liver Diagnosed?
Doctors use simple and painless tests to check your liver health, including:
- Blood tests to measure liver enzymes
- Ultrasound or FibroScan to detect fat and liver stiffness
- MRI or CT scan in complicated cases
- Liver biopsy, where a small sample of liver tissue is checked for inflammation or damage
Early diagnosis helps in reversing fatty liver before it progresses to more serious conditions.
How is Fatty Liver Treated?
The good news is that fatty liver can be controlled and sometimes reversed with the right care. Treatment focuses on lifestyle changes and managing related health issues:
- Healthy Eating:
A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can help reduce fat in the liver. Avoid sugary drinks, fried foods, and processed snacks. - Exercise Regularly:
Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week to burn fat and improve liver health. - Weight Loss:
Losing even 5–10% of your body weight can significantly improve fatty liver. - Avoid Alcohol:
Alcohol can worsen liver damage, so it’s best to avoid it completely. - Manage Diabetes and Cholesterol:
Keeping blood sugar and cholesterol levels under control helps reduce fat buildup in the liver. - Medications and Monitoring:
Your doctor may prescribe medicines for related conditions and recommend regular liver check-ups to ensure your treatment is working.
Expert Care at Ruby Hall Clinic, Pune
At Ruby Hall Clinic, Pune, patients with fatty liver receive expert care under the guidance of Dr. Tushar Madhav Madke, Consultant in the Transplant Hepatology Department.
Dr. Madke has completed his MBBS and MD (Internal Medicine) from Mumbai and DM in Hepatology from the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS), New Delhi, one of India’s top liver institutes. He has also trained in transplant hepatology at Dr. Rela Institute, Chennai. With over five years of experience, he specializes in liver diseases, including fatty liver, cirrhosis, liver transplant care, and advanced procedures like liver biopsy, ERCP, and endoscopy.
He is also actively involved in raising awareness about MASLD in Central India, helping doctors and patients understand this growing health challenge.
Why Early Treatment is Important
Fatty liver is a manageable condition if caught early. But if ignored, it can progress to more serious liver diseases. Regular check-ups and timely medical care can help you reverse the damage and live a healthier life.
At Ruby Hall Clinic, you’ll receive personalized care, the latest treatments, and guidance from experts like Dr. Tushar Madke, who are dedicated to helping you regain your liver health and well-being.