The modern age has witnessed changes and upgrades in many sectors. Healthcare is one of the primary sectors that has witnessed drastic changes. Health has always been a concern of modern man. With changing lifestyles, comes the infiltration of many diseases and body conditions. The diseases and health conditions that were once rare have now increased in number and are going to change their label from ‘rare’ to ‘common.’ The food habits of modern man are the primary reason for this sudden uprising of diseases.
The hectic lives prompt men to go for everything easily and less time-consuming. Sandwiches, burgers and many other so-called healthy dishes come as a way to satisfy this urge of the busy life. But people always tend to overlook the facts when it comes to health. Fatty liver is now one of the common liver conditions in many men. And it can be seen as one of the lifestyles diseases.
The following article throws into the condition of fatty liver, the major causes of it and how to prevent it from coming or keep it under control.
What is fatty liver?
As the name implies, this is a liver condition caused by the fats present in the liver. Though it is said to be common among alcoholics, the conditions can also emerge in people with no drinking habit at all. So it is not necessarily caused by alcohol. It is originally called Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and is an umbrella term for a wide range of liver conditions affecting people.
Fatty liver can be seen as a pioneer for many diseases to follow. If isn’t treated properly, it could lead the acute liver cirrhosis and consequently to liver damage. So it is important to see it seriously and get treatment. Inflammation of the liver is a common symptom of fatty liver and must be treated properly and seriously.
Major causes for Fatty liver
There are many reasons for the development of the fatty liver condition in people and it is very wide in range. Following are some of the reasons for the fatty liver;
- Obesity
- Insulin resistance
- High blood sugar lever- Hyperglycemia- an indication of pre-diabetes or type 2 diabetes
- High levels of triglycerides (fats) in the blood
- Alcoholism
- Lack of exercises
- Intake of junk foods
- Improper diet
Risk factors
Apart from the above reasons, many other risk factors increase the possibility of getting a fatty liver. Some of them are listed below;
- High level of cholesterol
- Metabolic syndrome
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
- Sleep apnea
- Type 2 diabetes
- Hypothyroidism
- Underactive pituitary gland
Main signs and symptoms associated with fatty liver
There are many signs and symptoms of fatty liver which help in the early detection of the condition and will help in getting the right treatment before getting it worse. The major signs and symptoms are listed below;
- Pain in the upper abdomen
- Developing black marks on the face
- Swelling of stomach
- Enlargement of blood vessels under the skin
- Enlarged spleen
- Red palms
- Jaundice
- Abdominal swelling
The above are some of the main signs and symbols which help in early diagnosis.
The complications of Fatty liver
As mentioned earlier, the most serious complication of fatty liver is liver cirrhosis which in turn turns into complete damage to the liver. Cirrhosis is the late-stage scarring of the liver. This scarring of the liver called fibrosis occurs as a result of the liver’s attempts to reduce the inflammation caused by fatty liver. As inflammation increases, fibrosis spreads resulting in complete liver damage. This cirrhosis can again lead to other chronic conditions like accumulation of fluid in the abdomen, oesophagal varices, confusion, drowsiness, complete liver failure and liver cancer.
There are certain ways to keep your liver healthy and functioning. Keeping and following a healthy diet is the most important thing to maintain for a healthy river. Reduce the intake of foods with fats and avoid junk foods. Add more vegetables to the diet and reduce the intake of meat especially beefs. Increase the intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and healthy fats. Control the body weight. If you are obese, healthily lose weight. Do exercises regularly and bring the weight under control. Following regular exercise is another of the most important way to keep away liver diseases. Do exercises regularly but you have to consult with your doctor first and must get expert advice.
