How dangerous is fatty liver? 6 Ways of Control

How dangerous is fatty liver? 6 Ways of Control

Although grade 1 fatty liver is an early stage of fat accumulation in the liver, it should be treated with caution as a serious health sign.

Fatty liver, i.e. accumulation of excess fat in the liver, is a problem seen in many people today. Many people suddenly see 'Grade 1 fatty liver' during a health examination or abdominal ultrasound.

Then the first question is, 'Now the liver has started to deteriorate?'

It is not right to ignore grade 1 fatty liver as a normal problem, but it is also wrong to think that it is a condition of liver damage or cirrhosis. Fatty liver grades are 1, 2 and 3. Generally, grades 2 and 3 have more fat deposits in the liver than grade 1 and the risk is also higher.

Grade 1 is usually the initial stage of fat accumulation in the liver. So you don't have to worry about getting grade 1. If you can control problems such as diet, weight, physical activity and diabetes and cholesterol at the right time, you can reduce the fat accumulated in the liver and stop the progression of the disease.

How to understand fatty liver?

It is not unusual to have some amount of fat in the liver. But when more fat accumulates in the cells of the liver, it is called fatty liver.

If the amount of fat in the liver is slightly increased on ultrasound, it is usually called grade 1 fatty liver. In grade 2 and 3, the amount of fat appears to be higher.

This condition is now medically known as 'Metabolic Associated Steatotic Liver Disease'. Metabolic problems such as obesity, fat around the abdomen, insulin resistance, type-2 diabetes, high blood pressure and increased blood cholesterol or triglycerides are important risk factors.

But by saying 'Grade 1', it cannot be concluded that the liver has been seriously damaged. Ultrasound mainly indicates fatty deposits in the liver; The degree of swelling or scarring of the liver, i.e. fibrosis, may need to be assessed separately.

How dangerous?

Grade 1 itself is usually not a serious condition. Therefore, there is no need to panic when Grade 1 fatty liver appears. But it should be taken as a sign of the risk of future problems.

If the accumulation of fat in the liver continues for a long time, and with it swelling and damage to the liver cells, the condition can become serious. One should be more careful when moving from metabolic associated steatotic liver disease to metabolic associated steatohepatitis.

In steatohepatitis, liver cells begin to be injured. Disturbances in liver enzymes can also be a sign of damage to liver cells.

Then there is a risk of reaching cirrhosis through fibrosis and, in rare cases, liver cancer. But not all grade 1 fatty livers progress to cirrhosis.

Overall, only about 3 percent of people with fatty liver have serious problems and are at risk of developing liver damage or liver failure. Therefore, there is no need to fear that "the liver is damaged now" when Grade 1 is seen. But the thinking that 'it is grade 1, nothing needs to be done' is also wrong.

Why?

There is no single cause behind fatty liver. Especially problems related to fat and sugar metabolism in the body increase its risk.

1. Being overweight

Especially when fat is accumulated around the stomach, the possibility of fat accumulation in the liver increases.

2. Diabetes or high blood glucose levels

Insulin resistance and type-2 diabetes are strongly associated with fatty liver.

3. Increase cholesterol and triglycerides

When the amount of fat in the blood is unbalanced, fat can also accumulate in the liver.

4. Decreased physical activity

Sitting all day, not exercising regularly and not keeping the body active enough can increase weight and metabolic problems.

5. Unhealthy diet

Excessive consumption of calories, sugar, sugary drinks, processed foods and unhealthy fats can increase the risk. In particular, it is medically advised to reduce the excessive intake of sugary drinks and foods containing fructose.

6. Alcohol consumption

Alcohol can also cause fat to accumulate in the liver. Therefore, in the presence of fatty liver, alcohol consumption should be clearly discussed with the doctor. In addition, certain medications, rapid weight loss, malnutrition, and some rare genetic problems can also cause fatty deposits in the liver.

What are the symptoms?

Most importantly, most people with Grade 1 fatty liver have no obvious symptoms.

Therefore, if you feel that nothing is wrong, you cannot be sure that the liver is completely healthy. Some may have constant fatigue, weakness or discomfort in the upper right part of the abdomen.

For this reason, fatty liver is discovered accidentally in many people during regular health check-ups, blood tests or abdominal ultrasound.

But if there are symptoms such as yellowing of eyes or skin, swelling in the stomach, swelling of legs, extreme weakness, it should not be ignored as normal grade 1 fatty liver. These symptoms can also be seen in severe liver disease and require medical evaluation.

How do you know?

To detect fatty liver, doctors can take information about the patient's weight, diet, alcohol consumption, diabetes, blood pressure, cholesterol and other health conditions.

Blood tests for liver enzymes and liver function, blood sugar, HbA1c, cholesterol and triglycerides can be done.

Hepatitis 

Other causes like TIS B and C are also checked as needed. Fat accumulation in the liver can be seen from the ultrasound.

But just seeing 'grade 1' on ultrasound cannot be sure that there is no liver swelling or fibrosis. If necessary, the doctor can assess the risk of liver scarring with further tests.

How to treat grade 1 fatty liver?

The most important basis of treatment in grade 1 fatty liver is weight loss. It is best to lose about 10% of your total body weight as much as possible. Even if that is not possible, losing at least 5 percent of weight will help reduce the fat accumulated in the liver.

Lose weight, but slowly

Losing weight in overweight people can reduce the amount of fat stored in the liver. Even a 3-5 percent weight loss of total body weight can reduce liver fat, while a 7-10 percent weight loss can improve liver inflammation and fibrosis.

But it is not advisable to try to lose too much weight in a short time. Losing weight slowly and under medical advice is safe.

Improve diet

Improving the overall diet is more important than looking for a single food as a 'fatty liver medicine'.

Green vegetables, various vegetables, fruits, whole grains, pulses and sources of healthy fats can be included in the plate. It is helpful to reduce sugary drinks, sweets, processed foods and high calorie foods.

It does not mean that rice or roti should be stopped completely. Quantity, cooking method and overall diet balance are important.

Drinks or foods like lassi, sausage should also be taken carefully by people with fatty liver according to their overall diet. In particular, it is advisable to reduce the intake of drinks with a lot of sugar.

Regular physical activity

Regular walking and exercise can benefit not only weight control, but also liver health. Even if you can't lose weight, physical activity can be beneficial.

Diabetes, blood pressure and cholesterol control

Fatty liver should not be seen only as a liver problem. It is linked to the overall metabolic health of the body.

Therefore, controlling diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or triglycerides is an important part of treatment.

When is medicine needed?

Grade 1 fatty liver does not mean that everyone should take medication. Its main treatment is lifestyle changes and weight loss.

But in the case of developing steatohepatitis from fatty liver, doctors can assess the need for medication by looking at the patient's condition.

Vitamin E is one of the drugs that can be used in certain patients. Similarly, Resmetirom (Resmetirom) used in steatohepatitis is being discussed as a medicine that has shown very promising results. This medicine is not for all people with fatty liver.

Racemetrome may not be available in Nepal at present. Therefore, you should not buy the medicine yourself or use it without medical advice. The doctor decides which medicine is needed in which case after evaluating the liver swelling, fibrosis and other health conditions.

Do not self-medicate or take herbs

It is not advisable to use various 'liver detox', herbs or supplements on your own after having grade 1 fatty liver. Some herbal products can also damage the liver.

Overall, the appearance of grade 1 fatty liver is not something to be alarmed about. But it should be taken as a sign of improving the metabolic health of the body. If you lose weight on time, improve your diet, do regular physical activity and keep diabetes, cholesterol and blood pressure under control, you can reduce the fat accumulated in the liver and stop the progression of the disease.

Grade 2 and 3 risk is higher than grade 1. Even more serious evaluation and treatment is necessary when steatohepatitis starts to appear with injury and swelling in the liver cells.