Fatty Liver Disease

What is fatty liver disease?

Fatty liver disease is a condition characterized by excess fat in the liver. It’s often caused by heavy alcohol use or metabolic disorders. 

Over time, fatty liver disease (fat buildup in your liver) can lead to liver damage when left untreated. If fat makes up more than 5% of your liver’s weight, it increases the risk of damage. 

What are the symptoms of fatty liver disease?

Signs and symptoms of fatty liver disease include:

• Weakness
• Fatigue
• Abdominal pain
• Full feeling in your abdomen
• Swelling of your hands, legs, feet, or abdomen
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Jaundice (yellowed skin or whites of your eyes)
• Bleeding in your rectum, stomach, or esophagus 

You might not have any noticeable symptoms initially. Liver disease may develop over time, characterized by liver inflammation and scarring (cirrhosis). Without treatment, cirrhosis can eventually cause liver cancer and failure, which may be fatal. 

What are the risk factors for fatty liver disease?

Fatty liver disease risk factors include:

• Weight challenges
• Excess alcohol intake
• Metabolic syndrome
• Insulin resistance
• Type 2 diabetes
• Lipid abnormalities (high cholesterol or triglycerides)
• High blood pressure
• Some medications
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in women
• Hypopituitarism (low pituitary hormone)
• Hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone)
• Low sex hormones

However, the cause of the disease isn’t always apparent. In addition to liver cancer, fatty liver disease increases the risk of other cancers and heart disease. 

How is fatty liver disease diagnosed?

Dr. Lau discusses your symptoms, medical history, lifestyle, and medications to determine if you have fatty liver disease or gastrointestinal disorders. 

She completes a physical exam, checks your vital signs, and may order blood tests and imaging procedures to screen for liver damage and determine the amount of fat in your liver. You might also need a liver biopsy.

How is fatty liver disease treated?

Your customized fatty liver disease treatment may consist of:

• Avoiding alcohol
• Medical weight loss
• Medication management
• Healthy lifestyle modifications
• Medical procedures
• Liver transplant (severe cases)

It’s helpful to exercise regularly, eat nutritious foods, and manage any metabolic conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Dr. Lau follows up to ensure your treatment is effective.

Schedule a fatty liver disease evaluation at JKAN Gastroenterology PLLC by calling the office or requesting an appointment online today.