Fatty liver or hepatic steatosisis condition when the liver stores too much fat. This condition can interfere with liver function and increase the risk of developing many liver diseases later in life.
The liver is an organ that has many important functions for the body, one of which is breaking down fat from food to be converted into energy for the body. Therefore, it is normal to have a small amount of fat in the liver.
Fatty liver is generally cured by making lifestyle changes. However, in some cases, fatty liver can lead to the formation of scar tissue in the damaged part of the liver (fibrosis). This condition can lead to cirrhosis which can increase the risk of liver cancer and liver failure.
Causes of Fatty Liver
Based on the cause, fatty liver can be classified into alcohol-related and non-alcohol-related fatty liver. Here is the explanation:
Alcohol-related fatty liver
Alcohol-related fatty liver occurs due to the habit of consuming alcoholic beverages in excess. The following are the limits for the intake of alcoholic beverages that are acceptable to the liver:
| Type of alcohol | Amount per day |
| Beer (alcohol content ± 5%) | > 350 military |
| Malt liquor (alcohol content ± 7%) | > 250 milliliters |
| Wine (alcohol content ± 12%) | > 150 milliliters |
| Gin, rum, tequila, vodka, whiskey (alcohol content ± 40%) | > 50 milliliters |
If the alcohol received by the body exceeds the above limit, the liver has to work harder to break down the alcohol so that it can be excreted from the body.
The process of breaking down alcohol in the liver can cause disturbances in the metabolism of hepatocyte cells, which are the main cells that build liver tissue. This can lead to decreased liver function in breaking down fat and even increasing liver function in storing fat.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver
Fatty liver can also occur in the absence of alcoholism or excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages. The exact cause of this condition is more difficult to determine, but metabolic syndrome is thought to have a major role in the process of this disease.
Metabolic syndrome includes several conditions, including:
- Obesity, especially centered on belly fat (waist circumference exceeding normal limits)
- High triglycerides
- Low HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol)
- Hyperglycemia
- Hypertension (> 130/85 mmHg)
The above conditions are often caused by an unhealthy diet and lifestyle. However, it should also be noted that eating high-fat foods alone does not necessarily cause fatty liver.
In addition, there are several other conditions that can also trigger the occurrence of fatty liver that is not related to alcohol, namely:
- Consumption of certain drugs for a long time or in high doses, such as corticosteroids, synthetic estrogens, methotrexate, and tamoxifen
- Exposure to toxic substances
- Certain medical conditions, such as hepatitis C
- Malnutrition
- Drastic weight loss
- Pregnancy
Non-alcoholic fatty liver can be divided into simple fatty liver (steatosis) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. In steatosis, there is no inflammation of the hepatocytes so that the liver is not susceptible to complications.
In contrast, hepatocytes in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis are inflamed and damaged. This can lead to fibrosis or the formation of scar tissue in the liver. As a result, the risk of complications of cirrhosis (extensive scarring) or liver cancer becomes higher.
Symptoms of Fatty Liver
Fatty liver generally causes no symptoms. However, some sufferers may experience abdominal discomfort or fatigue. More obvious symptoms usually appear when the liver begins to become inflamed. These conditions are characterized by:
- Pain or swelling in the upper right part of the abdomen
- Nauseous
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Body feels weak
Fatty liver that occurs during pregnancy usually appears in the third trimester. Symptoms of this condition can include nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, and yellow skin.
When to go to the doctor
Check with your doctor if you experience any of the symptoms mentioned above, especially if they don't get better. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent complications of fatty liver.
If you have conditions that can increase your risk of developing fatty liver, such as obesity, type II diabetes, and high triglycerides or cholesterol, it is recommended that you have your liver checked at least once a year.
Consult a doctor if you have an alcohol addiction. Your doctor can help you manage your alcohol consumption habits to keep your body healthy.
Fatty Liver Diagnosis
The diagnosis process begins with conducting questions and answers regarding the symptoms experienced, lifestyle, and the patient's and family's disease history. After that, the doctor will perform a physical examination by measuring your weight and watching for signs of liver problems, such as yellow skin or an enlarged liver.
To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor will perform additional examinations, such as:
- Blood tests, to check liver function
- Scan with ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI, to detect the presence of fat in the liver
- Liver biopsy, to see the condition of the liver tissue directly, also to see if there is a potential for inflammation
Fatty Liver Treatment
Treatment of fatty liver aims to control or treat the cause of this disease. For this purpose, doctors will usually advise sufferers to live a healthy lifestyle, such as:
1. Change your diet
Dietary changes for weight loss are the most recommended treatment method for all types of fatty liver. Losing 3–5% of body weight, especially from belly fat, can reduce levels of fat in the liver. However, losing weight should be done slowly.
In addition, patients also need to control blood sugar and cholesterol levels by maintaining a healthy diet, such as:
- Eat high-fiber foods, such as vegetables and fruits
- Limit consumption of foods high in calories and trans fats, such as fast food, fried foods, and pastries
- Limit consumption of simple carbohydrates, such as white rice or white bread, and prioritize consumption of complex carbohydrates, such as brown rice or sweet potatoes
- Eat healthy fats, such as fish, olive oil, and avocados
- Consuming chicken and fish as a substitute for red meat which tends to be high in fat
- Avoid drinks with high sugar content, especially packaged drinks
2. Stop consuming alcoholic beverages
For both alcohol-related and non-alcohol-related fatty liver, patients are strongly advised to stop alcohol consumption. If the patient has difficulty breaking the habit, the patient can consult a therapist or follow a special alcohol addiction recovery program.
3. Running healthy lifestyles Living a healthy lifestyle can help heal fatty liver and reduce the risk of liver inflammation and complications. The trick, do exercise regularly at least 30 minutes a day. All types of exercise can help improve the condition of the liver. In addition, quitting smoking can also help reduce the risk of complications from fatty liver. 4. Taking drugs Certain medications can make the liver work harder. Therefore, consume medicines according to the needs and recommendations of the doctor, herbal medicines are no exception. As previously explained, fatty liver can be caused by certain conditions such as hyperglycemia and high cholesterol. Patients who experience this condition need to take medication from a doctor to control it. In addition, vitamin E and pioglitazone (drugs to treat diabetes) is thought to improve the condition of fatty liver, even in patients who do not have diabetes. However, the use of these drugs still requires further research. Untreated fatty liver can lead to cirrhosis. As a result, patients will experience impaired liver function, which is characterized by the following complaints: Cirrhosis can also increase the risk of developing liver cancer, especially if there is inflammation or hepatitis. It is important to remember, a liver that has experienced cirrhosis cannot return to normal. The only treatment that can be done to improve this condition is a liver transplant or liver transplant. Prevention of fatty liver depends on the type. To prevent alcohol-related fatty liver, things you can do are: As for fatty liver that is not related to alcohol, ways to prevent it include:Fatty Liver Complications
Fatty Liver Prevention