The harm of ignoring fatty liver disease
Dr Mallikarjun Sakpal, transplant surgeon at Aster CMI Hospital, Bangalore (India), said that the liver is responsible for functions such as aiding digestion, metabolism, detoxification, hormone regulation, storage of essential nutrients and production of proteins and enzymes for the body's natural chemical reactions.
Therefore, ignoring fatty liver can be dangerous to overall health, as the condition indicates many underlying health problems.
According to Dr. Mallikarjun Sakpal, fatty liver occurs when fat builds up around liver cells and the process of breaking down fat slows down. This condition often goes unnoticed because it has no symptoms.
Fatty liver can also lead to inflammation, scarring (fibrosis), and potentially serious complications such as cirrhosis or liver cancer.
Sharing the same view, Dr Chandan Kumar KN, consultant hepatologist at Gleneagles Hospital (Lakdi Ka Pul, Hyderabad, India) affirmed that as the liver becomes more scarred, the risk of developing cirrhosis (a condition where the liver is permanently damaged) increases significantly. Cirrhosis can lead to liver failure, requiring a liver transplant in severe cases.
Dr. Rajiv Kovil, Head of Diabetes Department, at Zandra Healthcare Center (India) - shared that there are many factors that contribute to fatty liver such as: diabetes, obesity, high levels of bad cholesterol, malnutrition, drinking too much alcohol, rapid weight loss and taking certain medications.
Over time, this excess fat buildup around the liver can cause inflammation and indicate a risk of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).
“It can increase your risk of health problems like cirrhosis, liver cancer, permanent liver damage, kidney disease, high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and even liver cancer,” notes Dr. Kovil.
People with fatty liver may experience symptoms such as fatigue, abdominal discomfort, nausea, loss of appetite, unintentional weight loss, jaundice, and digestive problems.
Eating fried, processed, and unhealthy foods high in sodium, added sugar, and preservatives like chips, pasta, pizza, cupcakes, bagels, candy, and soda can promote the early onset of fatty liver disease, Dr. Kovil notes.
Prevent
According to doctors, early detection of fatty liver is very important because the disease is often associated with metabolic syndrome, which includes conditions such as high blood pressure, high blood sugar and abnormal cholesterol levels.
Lifestyle changes, including diet, exercise, and weight management, can effectively reverse the early stages of the disease.
You should also eat a healthy diet to maintain overall health. You can prevent the risk of developing fatty liver by exercising more than 45 minutes a day, maintaining a healthy weight, and limiting alcohol.
