Before discussing about “Fatty Liver’, let us learn something about the organ itself.
-Liver- is also called The “Silent” organ in the body.
Generally people talk about their teeth, hair, lungs, heart, face etc, but very rarely about Liver and its existence, even though Liver happens to be the largest organ in one’s body weighing roughly one and a half kilos. It resides in the upper right part of one’s abdomen, well protected by ribs. It is said that it does more than 500 types of jobs and if any one of its major jobs fails , one can better start making funeral arrangements. One can not find any other way of over-emphasizing the importance of this vital organ in the human body than mentioning it in the manner as above.
Liver participates virtually in everything, as for example, it provides muscle fuel, if one wants to play a game of Golf, digest one’s breakfast, manufacture the Vitamins that helps one’s night vision and so on. Its job is endless. This being so, is it not one’s duty to take care of this vital organ from diseases? protect it from any damage? and at least minimum care, so that it can do its job silently and help one to lead a healthy life free from diseases.
Hepatitis, Fatty liver, Cirrhosis, Cancer, etc, are some of the common diseases affecting the liver.
Now lets just discuss about Fatty Liver
What is Fatty Liver?
Fatty liver is a condition where fat or triglycerides deposit in the liver.Some fat in the liver is mormal, but if it makes up more than five to ten percent of the weight of your liver , you would be at risk. Alcoholic or non-alcoholic.
What causes metabolic fatty liver disease?
1. Alcohol consumption.
2. Metabolic causes like diabetes mellitus, obesity.
3. Hepatitis C.
1. What are the diseases most commonly seen in Fatty liver?
Fatty liver itself is an abnormal condition and it increases the risk of developing conditions like Cancer, hepatitis, Cirrhosis, etc. At these latter two stages, jaundice might also develop.
2. Does diet play any part?
diet rich in fat and calories raises the chance of obesity-induced insulin resistance.
3. What is the treatment?
Treatment starts with weight reduction, but not rapidly. An average of 1.6 kgs/ week is recommended. The target should be 10% reduction of the baseline weight.Depending on the stage and symptom of the disease, medications are prescribed.Diet, exercise, and certain medications are the recommended ways to reduce weight.Bariatric surgery is advised for morbidly obese patients.
4. Is it possible to lead a normal life With a fatty Liver?
Fatty liver is a life long condition. Still with a few lifestyle changes,necessary treatment,and periodic check up with the doctor there is no reason why a patient suffering from fatty liver should not enjoy a normal life.
Do you also have a fatty liver? How do you cope up with it, have you done any modifications in your life style to control fatty liver? Please do let us know.