What Is Fatty Liver Disease? 10 Signs You May Have It

Fatty liver disease has become more common as the average American diet has shifted toward foods higher in saturated fats, refined carbohydrates, and sugar. As such, it’s important to know how to spot fatty liver disease in yourself or someone you care about to take steps toward improving your liver health and lowering your risk of further complications from this disease, including cirrhosis, liver cancer, and other life-threatening diseases. These are the signs you may have fatty liver disease.

1) New Dietary Recommendations

_____________, who recently revealed that ___________ had liver problems of a non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) kind, has stressed that fatty liver can be cured through proper diet. Given how it is a major cause of heart disease and other life-threatening conditions, liver specialists across several countries have urged people to follow an NAFLD diet.

2) Excessive Alcohol Consumption

Excessive alcohol consumption is one of the most common causes of fatty liver disease. If you consume more than three alcoholic beverages per day, you may be putting yourself at risk for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Avoiding excessive alcohol consumption and reducing your overall intake of sugar can help decrease your symptoms. Alcoholic liver disease is a serious condition that requires immediate treatment by a healthcare professional. Talk to your doctor about limiting or avoiding alcohol if you are experiencing any symptoms of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

3) Congenital Conditions

Congenital conditions are those you are born with. They usually occur in a child before birth and can be treated but not cured. There is no medical cure for these, but symptoms can be controlled by healthy eating habits and treatments like diet, lifestyle changes, and prescription medications to ease pain or other symptoms. Symptoms of fatty liver disease are not limited to just adults; fatty liver disease in children can be caused by certain health conditions or genetic factors.

4) Liver Cancer

If you suffer from fatty liver disease, you might have nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, or NASH. This leads to inflammation of your liver and can progress to liver cancer—which is why it’s important to catch it early. If you experience any symptoms of fatty liver disease, talk with your doctor about starting a diet that’s low in fat and rich in vitamins C and E as well as omega-3 fatty acids.

5) Obesity

Obesity is directly linked to fatty liver disease. If you’re carrying excess weight, it’s important to keep track of your body mass index. In addition to getting healthy, try following a diet that consists of lean protein, fruits and vegetables and complex carbohydrates—which are low in saturated fats and sugars—to help combat fatty liver symptoms. Exercising three times a week is also essential for overall health.

6) Diabetes Mellitus Type II

Along with obesity, fatty liver disease is also a serious health concern. These two conditions often go hand in hand: If you’re overweight or obese, your liver will have to work harder to process all that extra fat. Additionally, if you’re diabetic and have high blood-sugar levels for an extended period of time, it can lead to fatty liver disease.

7) Hyperlipidemia

When fat levels in your bloodstream are too high, it’s known as hyperlipidemia. If you have diabetes or obesity, you have a higher risk of developing fatty liver disease, which is one of several types of hepatic lipidosis. Another type, called nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), develops in an estimated 25 percent to 30 percent of patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

8) Drugs, Medications, and Toxins

Certain medications, alcohol, and other drugs cause fatty liver disease. As they build up in your system, they can become toxic to your liver cells and make them vulnerable to damage or even death. Before taking any new medication, be sure to consult with your doctor about whether it could contribute to fatty liver disease. Your doctor may change your prescription if you’re at risk for developing fatty liver disease. Also, tell him if you drink alcohol on a regular basis because of how much it can affect your health over time.

9) Genetic Defects

People with genetic disorders, including familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), are at increased risk of developing fatty liver disease. Obesity is also a significant risk factor. Alcohol consumption and diabetes can also increase your chances of developing fatty liver disease.

10) Hereditary (Genetic Predisposition)

Although it’s more common to develop fatty liver disease from drinking too much alcohol, there is also a genetic predisposition for developing it. One study found that if one of your parents has been diagnosed with NASH (Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis) or if you have Type 2 diabetes, you are at increased risk of developing fatty liver disease.