Almost everyone has some fat in his/her liver, but when there is an excess amount (more than 5 – 10 percent of the liver’s weight), it is considered to be fatty liver disease.
There are two types of fatty liver disease:
Due to the obesity epidemic, fatty liver disease is evolving into a major health crisis in the United States.
In addition, NAFLD is more likely to occur to people who are overweight or obese, those who have diabetes, and those who have other family members with the disease.
Other causes include:
ALD typically happens when a person drinks over than 20-40 grams of alcohol a day. Daily drinking or binge drinking leads to acute fatty liver infiltration. Long durations of drinking alcohol may result in acute or chronic alcoholic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer.
Your genes can also play a big role because they can determine how your body breaks down the alcohol. Other factors that may contribute to ALD include:
If you have alcoholic fatty liver disease, you may notice that these symptoms get worse after heavy drinking.
People with fatty liver disease sometimes don’t even know they have it because symptoms don’t typically manifest at the onset. However, as time goes on symptoms develop such as:
At SCLC, our approach to fatty liver is holistic, that involves the management of the patient’s comorbidities, lifestyle modification including proper nutrition, exercise, and relaxation techniques. Our state-of-the-art center treats patients and families suffering from fatty liver disease.
Our program of medical management, nutrition, and group classes has increased our success in helping patients improve their liver function and maintain a healthy lifestyle.