Fatty liver is a condition in which the liver function is limited by the accumulation of fat in its cells. The foremost concern about this condition is that this condition often goes undiagnosed because of the lack of symptoms. Thus, it progresses over time and increases the risk of other health comorbidities.
A healthy liver generally contains a small amount of fat. It becomes a matter of concern when the fat weight becomes 5 to 10% of the total liver weight, leading to a condition known as fatty liver. It does not initially affect the normal function of the liver, but worsens over time and might cause complete liver failure. The liver participates in a variety of functions such as metabolism, digestion, detoxification, immunity and storage of vitamins. Thus, any form of liver damage compromises a lot of vital functions of our body.
Fatty liver is majorly caused by the following factors:
Poor Eating Habits: Consuming a lot of unhealthy foods, especially those high in fats and sugars, can overload the liver's ability to process them, leading to the storage of excess fat.
Rapid Weight Loss: Losing weight too quickly may cause the liver to struggle in breaking down the released fats, resulting in their accumulation.
Insulin Resistance: When the body becomes resistant to insulin (a hormone that helps in using glucose), it can lead to increased fat storage in the liver.
Type 2 diabetes: The elevated levels of glucose in the blood causes further fat build up.
Highly Processed Foods: Foods with lots of additives and preservatives can contribute to liver issues as they may contain substances that are difficult for the liver to process.
Lack of Exercise: Physical inactivity can contribute to the accumulation of fat in the liver. Regular exercise helps the liver function optimally.
Certain Medications: Some medications, if not taken as directed or if they have side effects, can impact the liver and contribute to fatty liver disease.
Sedentary Lifestyle: Sitting for long periods without much movement can affect overall health, including liver function.
Fast Food Consumption: Regularly eating fast food, which is often high in unhealthy fats and sugars, can contribute to the development of fatty liver.
Alcohol abuse: Ethanol metabolism brings the liver to a state that it cannot breakdown fat efficiently. This causes the deposition of unprocessed fats.
Malnutrition: In this case, the liver cells tend to accumulate lipids, also known as micro vesicular steatosis.
Age: The prevalence of fatty liver, especially that of NAFLD increases with age.
Medicines: Synthetic drugs used to treat high cholesterol, antivirals and steroids increase this risk.
Infections like hepatitis C, AIDS etc. are detrimental to liver health.
Viral Hepatitis: Infections like hepatitis can damage the liver, making it more prone to fat accumulation.
Genetic Factors: Sometimes, a person's genetic makeup can make them more susceptible to developing fatty liver disease.
Family History: An individual is at a higher risk of fatty liver if any of his/her family member is suffering from the same.
Swelling in the abdomen: Your belly might feel swollen or larger than usual.
Jaundice: The skin and whites of your eyes may turn yellow.
Dark urine: Your urine might be darker than normal.
Pale-coloured stool: Your stool may become lighter in color.
Nausea: Feeling like you might throw up or being sick to your stomach.
Confusion: Having trouble thinking clearly or feeling mentally foggy.
Spider-like blood vessels: Small blood vessels visible on the skin that look like spider webs.
Pain or discomfort in the centre or left upper part of the abdomen: Discomfort in the middle or left side of your belly.
This happens when fat builds up in the liver, but it's not caused by drinking much alcohol. It can occur even with very little or no alcohol intake. NAFLD has two main types: simple fatty liver, where there is fat in the liver but little inflammation, and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), where there is inflammation and liver cell damage.
This is caused by drinking too much alcohol. When we drink alcohol, the liver tries to break it down, but sometimes it produces harmful substances that can damage liver cells called hepatocytes. AFLD can progress from simple fatty liver to more severe conditions like alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis with continued heavy drinking.
At SRIAAS, we pride ourselves on offering a superior Ayurvedic treatment for fatty liver, a condition that has become increasingly prevalent in today's fast-paced lifestyle. Our approach is rooted in the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda, which emphasizes the balance of the body's doshas for overall well-being. We understand that each individual is unique, and so are the underlying causes of fatty liver. Our expert Ayurvedic practitioners carefully assess your specific condition and tailor a treatment plan that addresses the root causes.
SRIAAS treatment for fatty liver involves a combination of herbal formulations, dietary guidance, and lifestyle modifications. Our proprietary Ayurvedic medicines are crafted from natural ingredients known for their hepato-protective properties, aiding in the rejuvenation and detoxification of the liver. Unlike conventional treatments that often focus solely on symptoms, SRIAAS takes a comprehensive approach to promote long-term liver health.
Yes! a fatty liver can definitely heal completely provided it is diagnosed on time and one takes appropriate steps for it to recover. Make sure to include a lot of fruits, vegetables and whole grains in your diet along with adequate water intake, sleep and regular exercise. Also, it is very important to say NO to alcohol.
The risk of fatty liver progressing into cirrhosis is not very high of its management begins on time. However, if left undiagnosed, without any treatment and lifestyle modifications, it can definitely progress to cirrhosis over a span of time.
Yes, fatty liver has the potential to re-occur after being treated completely if its risk factors such as excessive weight, alcohol intake, unhealthy food habits, etc. get back again.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease can affect an individual of any age, be it adults or children. In India, its incidence in school going children is increasing because of prevalence of a sedentary life style, bad eating habits and very limited or no outdoor activities.