According to Dr. Neeraj Dhamija (Endoscopic Consultant, Laser & General Surgery at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, India), if left untreated, grade 3 fatty liver can progress to more dangerous conditions such as cirrhosis or cirrhosis. In this stage, liver cells are full of fat and affect function.
A 2022 study in the Journal of Clinical Sciences said that this condition is identified when the amount of fat accounts for more than 66% of liver tissue, often accompanied by inflammation and cell damage.
There are many factors leading to this serious liver fat condition. The most common is obesity, especially abdominal fat. An unscientific diet with a lot of sugar, refined carbohydrates and unhealthy fats is also a major factor.
According to a 2024 study in the European Journal of Cardiology Medicine, people with diabetes are at higher risk of the disease. In addition, alcohol, high cholesterol, sedentary lifestyle, and genetic factors also contribute to rapid progression of the disease.
In the early stages, the disease usually has no obvious manifestations. However, when transitioning to level 3, patients may experience prolonged fatigue, pain or discomfort in the upper right abdomen, unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite and nausea. Severe cases may experience jaundice and eyes. Diagnosis requires a combination of clinical examination, blood tests (liver enzyme measurement such as ALT, AST) and imaging tests such as ultrasound, CT, MRI, FibroScan or liver biopsy.
Currently, no specific drugs have been approved for direct treatment of progressive fatty liver disease. Treatment focuses on addressing the root cause. Doctors can prescribe drugs to control diabetes, blood pressure or cholesterol to reduce the burden on the liver.
To protect liver health, experts recommend building a healthy lifestyle and changing diets. Accordingly, you should maintain at least 150 minutes per week with aerobic exercises (walking, swimming) or strength training to improve metabolism. Patients should absolutely not drink alcohol to prevent further damage.
Regarding diet, patients should prioritize fruits, green vegetables, whole grains (oats, brown rice), lean protein (fish, beans) and healthy fats. On the contrary, it is necessary to absolutely avoid sugar, carbonated drinks, processed foods, fried foods and excess salt.
If not intervened, the disease will progress into non-alcoholic fatty hepatitis (NASH), cirrhosis, cirrhosis (permanent liver scar), even liver cancer or life-threatening cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, periodic health check-ups and early medical consultation are extremely important to prevent the worst complications.
