Fatty liver disease, or nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is a condition that affects about one in four adults worldwide.
It’s known for being linked to issues like being overweight, having high blood sugar, and blood pressure problems. This condition is now recognized as a major cause of serious liver issues globally.
But there’s more to it than just liver problems. A recent study from Sweden has brought to light some concerning news: people with fatty liver disease are at a much higher risk of catching serious infections.
In this Swedish study, researchers looked at the health records of over 12,000 people diagnosed with fatty liver disease and compared them to around 58,000 people without the condition.
They found that those with fatty liver disease were 71% more likely to end up in the hospital with serious infections, especially lung and urinary tract infections.
This was the first time a study of this scale was done to see how fatty liver disease could affect infection risks nationwide.
The lead researcher, Dr. Fahim Ebrahimi, pointed out that we should start seeing fatty liver disease as a bigger health issue that doesn’t just affect the liver but can also increase the chances of getting other illnesses, even without other risk factors like diabetes.
One reason for this increased risk is the liver’s role in the immune system. The liver is packed with immune cells that help fight off infections, making up about 20% of the liver’s cells. So, when the liver isn’t working well, it can’t help the body fight infections as effectively.
The study showed that even people with milder forms of fatty liver disease, without serious liver damage or inflammation, were still more likely to get serious infections.
And for those with more severe disease, including liver damage and inflammation, the risk was even higher.
Jonas F. Ludvigsson, another researcher in the study, emphasized how important it is to catch this condition early and treat it properly.
He shared that after being diagnosed with fatty liver disease, a person has a high chance of getting a severe infection within the next twenty years—about one in six people will face this issue. This highlights the need for early action and effective treatment.
Dr. Ebrahimi mentioned that current medical guidelines don’t give clear advice on how to reduce infection risks for people with fatty liver disease.
But based on what they found, he believes it’s time to change how we manage the condition. Preventing infections should be a key part of caring for people with fatty liver disease.
In short, fatty liver disease is more than just a liver issue. It can greatly increase the risk of serious infections, making it a significant health concern.
It’s crucial to pay attention to this condition and manage it with a holistic approach that includes early diagnosis and considering overall health, not just liver health.
If you care about health, please read studies that vitamin D can help reduce inflammation, and vitamin K could lower your heart disease risk by a third.
For more information about health, please see recent studies about new way to halt excessive inflammation, and results showing foods that could cause inflammation.
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