SHARES
“I had my blood test results reviewed today. My doctor told me that I have high cholesterol and a fatty liver. She insisted that I lose some weight, adopt a “liver friendly” diet and gave me some pills for cholesterol. Is this serious? I was afraid that this is going to stay with me until the day I die. I hate taking medicine and I don’t really feel sick at all.” , Mr Tan a business executive in his 40’s a non-smoker, a teetotaller, a foodie who does moderate exercise.
Many people don’t know they have fatty liver. There are no symptoms, sometimes, it causes no problems at all. But it does not mean you should ignore it!
What is fatty liver?
Fatty liver is a silent disease. Your liver is considered fatty if there are more than 5% of fat deposited on it. You can have fatty liver with no symptoms for a long time. However, once the injury to your liver reaches a tipping point, your liver will be permanently damaged, leading to a condition called “liver cirrhosis” (scarred liver). This causes a myriad of symptoms such as fatigue, itchiness, yellowish skin and eyes, swollen tummy, and can even impair brain function.
Who gets fatty liver?
Drinking too much alcohol or having “4 Highs” (high blood sugar, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high body weight/obesity”) put you at extra risk for getting fatty liver. Your doctor may use a term called “metabolic syndrome” to describe a cluster of conditions (such as high blood pressure and diabetes) that usually occur together to raise your risks for heart disease, stroke and liver disease.
How do I know if I have fatty liver?
Usually, the first clue in the diagnosis of fatty liver is a raised enzyme (ALT) level in your blood test results.(1) You may have vague symptoms like fatigue that can be attributed to other related health problem such as high blood sugar, sleep and breathing difficulty due to high body weight or obesity.(1) It is recommended to have regular health check ups with your family doctor to pick up any clue as early as possible. Your doctor will feel around your tummy for any enlarged liver, do a blood test or order further investigation such as an ultrasound scan.
Is fatty liver curable?
Yes, definitely. Fatty liver is an early sign of liver injury and is reversible. Losing about 10% of your body weight slowly can bring your liver function back to normal. You will also notice a better control in your blood sugar, blood pressure and blood cholesterol. Your general well-being improves as you make lifestyle changes to be more healthy and active. Also, avoid drinking too much alcohol. It is recommended that alcohol intake should not exceed 14 units per week for both man and woman. Look at the Guide below to find out your alcohol consumption.(2)
Alcohol intake not more than 14 units per week
How dangerous is fatty liver?
Fatty liver is a sign that your liver is injured. If left untreated, the injury can become irreversible, like a scar on your liver (“cirrhosis”). This will affect your liver’s day-to-day function. When your liver fails to function properly, you’ll feel sick, tired, and even confused or fall comatose. Also, fatty liver puts you at higher risk for getting gallstones.(1) Gallstones are made up mainly of cholesterol. It is hard and can obstructs the ducts from your liver. When obstructed, you’ll experience very painful tummy. You will also experience bloated tummy when it is mild.
Conclusion
Fatty liver can lead to serious health problemsqq if ignored. By practising healthy eating and maintaining an active lifestyle, fatty liver can be prevented and even cured. Lastly, do keep a watchful eye on your body weight!
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References:
- Pouneh SM, Arun JS. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease [Medscape]. WebMD LLC. 2003. [Available from: https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/449315_4; Last updated on 2003 April 16; Accessed on 2019 April 24]
- Alcohol units [Internet]. Crown. 2018. [Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/alcohol-support/calculating-alcohol-units/; Last updated on 2018 April 13; Accessed on 2019 April 24]
by Chang Xian
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