Fatty liver happens when too much fat builds up in the liver. At first, it might not seem like a big problem. Many people with fatty liver feel completely normal and have no symptoms. But this quiet condition can turn into something very serious if it’s not treated.
There are two main types of fatty liver. One is linked to drinking too much alcohol and is called alcoholic fatty liver disease. The other is not related to alcohol and is called non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, or NAFLD.
Today, NAFLD is the most common liver condition in the world. It affects about one in four people and is often connected to being overweight, having type 2 diabetes, or having high cholesterol.
In its early stage, called simple steatosis, fatty liver doesn’t usually cause harm. But research shows that about 20% to 30% of people with fatty liver will develop a more serious condition called NASH, or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. This means the liver not only has fat, but it also becomes inflamed and starts to form scar tissue.
Once the liver starts scarring, things can get dangerous. A study in the journal Hepatology found that people with NASH are more likely to develop liver fibrosis, which is when the liver becomes stiff from too much scar tissue.
Over time, this can lead to cirrhosis. Cirrhosis is a condition where the liver is badly damaged and can’t do its job. It can cause liver failure, internal bleeding, and even liver cancer.
Fatty liver disease doesn’t just affect the liver. A study in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) showed that people with advanced fatty liver also have a higher risk of dying from heart disease. That makes fatty liver a condition that affects the whole body, not just one organ.
One of the most worrying things about fatty liver is that it usually develops silently. Many people don’t know they have it until it’s already serious.
That’s why it’s important to get regular checkups—especially if you’re overweight, have high blood sugar, or have liver disease in your family. Blood tests and imaging scans like ultrasounds or MRIs can help catch the problem early.
The good news is that fatty liver can often be reversed in its early stages. Research shows that losing just 5% to 10% of your body weight can reduce fat in the liver and even help with inflammation and scarring.
Eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and avoiding alcohol are some of the best ways to help your liver. Sometimes doctors may also give medication if the liver shows signs of serious damage.
In short, fatty liver might not cause symptoms at first, but ignoring it can lead to major health problems like liver failure, cancer, and heart disease. Finding and treating it early gives you the best chance to stop or even reverse the damage.
So even if you feel fine, don’t ignore fatty liver. Taking care of it now can protect your health for many years to come.
If you care about liver health, please read studies about simple habit that could give you a healthy liver, and common diabetes drug that may reverse liver inflammation.
For more information about health, please see recent studies about simple blood test that could detect your risk of fatty liver disease, and results showing this green diet may strongly lower non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
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