Fatty Liver

What is Fatty Liver?

Fatty liver is a condition in which excessive fat accumulates in the liver. If it occurs in the absence of significant alcohol consumption, the disease is known as non alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Non alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a subset of NAFLD in which fat accumulation is associated with liver swelling (inflammation). NASH is dangerous because it can progress further to liver scarring (fibrosis) and even cirrhosis. It is a condition similar to the damage of the liver by the consumption of excessive alcohol.

Cause of Fatty Liver

Fatty liver and NASH is more common in those people who are overweight, having Diabetes Mellitus and having high cholesterol.

What are the symptoms of Fatty Liver?

Most of the patients of fatty liver do not have any symptoms. It is usually detected incidentally when routine blood test or ultrasound are done.

How to diagnose Fatty Liver or NASH

It is mainly done by certain blood test like liver function test, ultrasound, and after exclusion of other diseases which can also cause similar condition. Sometimes liver biopsy is also required to make the final diagnosis. Scarring of the liver can also be assessed by fibroscan without the need of doing liver biopsy.

What is the Treatment

It is not treated directly, but losing weight, control of blood sugars and reducing the cholesterol levels by exercise, diet control and medicines are very helpful in managing the condition. There are few medicines also which the doctor can prescribe according to your condition.