We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Conditions

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is a Fatty Liver?

By Jacquelyn Gilchrist
Updated: Mar 03, 2024
Views: 21,734
Share

A fatty liver is a condition in which the liver accumulates an excess of fat. Livers will naturally contain some fat. If the fat accumulation is more than 10% of the liver’s total weight, however, this is considered a fatty liver. Sometimes, this condition may not result in medical complications, but this is not always the case.

One of the possible complications of this condition is steatohepatitis, which is the inflammation of the liver. This may lead to liver damage. A damaged liver may become hardened and scarred, which is a condition called cirrhosis. Cirrhosis can be a serious medical condition that may result in liver failure. A patient with untreated liver failure may experience swelling of the brain, bleeding disorders, and infections.

This condition will not directly result in any symptoms, however, symptoms due to liver damage may become noticeable. If the damage to the liver becomes severe, which may take years, the patient may experience fatigue, abdominal discomfort, and weight loss. Some patients may also have confusion and general weakness.

There are two general types of fatty liver. If the condition is due to alcohol abuse, it is referred to as alcoholic fatty liver. When the condition is caused by other factors, it is called non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

This condition may be caused by more than one factor. Alcohol abuse often causes it. A diet that is excessively high in fat may help contribute to the condition, however, it cannot be the sole cause. Malnutrition and rapid weight loss may also be contributing factors. Other medical conditions may also be associated with this, such as diabetes, insulin resistance, and obesity.

Diagnosis may be incidental, as it does not cause symptoms by itself. More likely, a patient will have blood tests run for other reasons, and the doctor may notice an abnormality. A physician may also discover an enlarged liver during a physical exam. Patients will likely need to undergo additional tests, such as an x-ray or ultrasound. To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor will also need to take a liver biopsy, or a small sample of tissue, to test.

There is no standard treatment for this condition. Instead, the treatment plan will depend on the factors causing the condition. If the condition is caused by alcohol abuse, the patient will need to take steps to cease drinking. Typically, about six weeks of being sober is sufficient for the liver to decrease its fat content.

If the patient is overweight or obese, a doctor can help the patient develop a low-fat diet plan to safely lose weight. Regular exercise can also help reduce this condition. If the patient has high blood cholesterol, he may be prescribed cholesterol-lowering medications. Patients who are in the process of healing their liver should have regular medical checkups to evaluate progress.

Share
The Health Board is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
By anon350229 — On Oct 03, 2013

How do I care for a fatty liver and what are the things I need to keep in mind?

Share
https://www.thehealthboard.com/what-is-a-fatty-liver.htm
Copy this link
The Health Board, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

The Health Board, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.