Long Live the Liver!

Many of my patients are surprised when they visit my clinic with an ultrasound result revealing "fatty liver". Most of them don't have any symptoms and are doing perfectly fine. Because of this, fatty liver may be ignored for many years and can ultimately lead to serious liver damage. The main reason why we are tackling fatty liver now so that we can understand what it is, why it occurs and how do we manage it - to help prevent complications and improve health!

So, Doc Damian, what is fatty liver? These are the words that I often hear whenever I break the news to my patients regarding their ultrasound results. Fatty liver disease happens when too much fat accumulates inside liver cells. Typically, the liver contains small amounts of fats, however more than 5 to 10% of fats in the liver, then that is considered as fatty liver. There are 2 main types of fatty liver, as a short overview, there is a condition called Non-Alcoholic Liver Disease and Alcohol-Related Fatty Liver Disease. As the name suggests, this is condition consists of being diagnosed with fatty liver with alcohol intake as a factor. Regardless of the types, one may wonder why does fatty liver occur. Well, fatty liver has become more common due to modern lifestyle habits. Several factors contribute to its detection such as: increasing consumption of sugary and processed foods, rising rates of obesity, sedentary lifestyle and diabetes + metabolic syndromes.

But Doc Damian, I feel just fine! How can we identify if we are developing fatty liver? Unfortunately, fatty liver disease goes unnoticed for many years and may only be diagnosed incidentally when a patient undergoes whole abdominal ultrasound. However some patients may experience persistent fatigue, mild discomfort or heaviness in the right upper abdomen, unexplained weight gain and incidental elevated of liver enzymes in the blood chemistry tests.

Ok Doc, now that I have fatty liver disease, will it become dangerous? Will there be consequences and complications if I don't change my lifestyle? Good news my dear friends, early fatty liver detection is reversible, BUT IT SHOULD NOT BE IGNORED! If left untreated, fatty liver disease may lead to steatosis - a condition where fat is accumulated and does not cause any inflammation, this is synonymous to simple fatty liver. Then it evolves to a condition called Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) where there is now inflammation of the liver and adjacent liver parenchymal disease. Next, fibrosis would occur - development of scar tissue in the liver. Then lastly, the dreaded cirrhosis wherein there is severe scarring that eventually causes liver failure. Not everyone with fatty liver will develop these complications, but still early management greatly reduces risk.

Okay, okay Doc Damian, you now have both my ears, what should we do so that we can reverse it? Now the crucial treatment involves lifestyle changes. This consists of weight loss, regular physical activity, healthy diet and controlling other medical condition (diabetes, high cholesterol, and hypertension). This would greatly improve liver health.

As i tell my patients in the clinic, the liver plays a vital role in metabolism, detoxification and digestion. Protecting it is essential for overall health. Early detection and appropriate lifestyle changes can prevent long-term complications and restore liver health.

If you've recently been diagnosed with fatty liver or have concern about your liver health, always go to your friendly internal medicine specialist, and that is me - Doc Damian!

See you at the clinic!