What is nonalcoholic fatty liver disease? everything you should to know
What is nonalcoholic fatty liver disease?
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) encompasses a number of liver conditions in people who drink little or no alcohol . That is to say, it is called this way to differentiate it from the lesions caused in the liver by the abuse of this substance .
The most common form of the disease and also the least severe is fatty liver or simple fat infiltration , which consists of the accumulation of excess fat in the liver cells. The other, more aggressive form and in which fat has a toxic effect on the liver, is called non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and is characterized by inflammatory damage to liver cells (hepatocytes) and leads to inflammation of the liver due to excess fat (hence its name: steate -fat-; hepatitis– inflammation of the liver). This pathology, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, is very difficult to distinguish from alcoholic hepatitis and it is the presence or absence of consumption of this substance that guides the diagnosis.
Over time, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis can progress to advanced liver disease such as fibrosis (healthy tissue is slowly replaced by scars that furrow and deform the liver). This can progress to cirrhosis (the liver is completely scarred and its surface becomes hard), tumors, and liver failure . These advanced diseases can cause death.
It is an increasingly common condition that may be related to obesity and overweight or diseases such as diabetes. It is one of the most frequent causes of liver transplantation.
Who does NAFLD affect ?
When there is fatty liver, the body synthesizes more fat and its processing (metabolism) and excretion can slow down. However, it is very common that non-alcoholic fatty liver does not manifest symptoms and progresses as a silent disease , although in some cases fatigue, general malaise and cause pain or discomfort in the upper right part of the abdomen may appear .
In the event that excess fat acts as a toxin causing inflammation and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and cirrhosis occur , there may be abdominal swelling due to fluid accumulation (ascites), swelling of the veins in the esophagus , which may rupture and bleeding, enlarged spleen , red palms , yellowing of the eyes and skin (jaundice), itching, and mental confusion .
If the process of fibrosis and cirrhosis is not interrupted, they can progress to liver cancer and end-stage liver failure, which means that the liver has stopped working.
What can cause it?
The ultimate cause of this disease is still not well known. However, it seems to be related to diet, possible insulin resistance, and genetic alterations.
Common risk factors for fat accumulation in liver cells are:
- Overweight and obesity .
- Increased level of cholesterol, triglycerides and other fats in the blood (hyperlipidemia).
- Increased blood glucose, which can occur from insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes.
- Abnormally high blood concentrations of triglycerides and/or cholesterol. Many times due to a poor diet, for example, a diet rich in fats and refined sugars and hypercaloric.
- A sedentary lifestyle with a lack of regular exercise.
- The use of certain medications may also be risk factors: antiretrovirals, glucocorticoids, estrogens, some vasodilators, drugs used to combat ventricular arrhythmias, and certain chemotherapy drugs.
- Metabolic syndrome, which is a combination of high blood pressure, hyperlipidemia, excess weight, and insulin resistance.
- Exposure to some toxins.
- Some rare diseases such as Wilson’s disease or hypobetalipoproteinemia.
- Possibly unknown genetic factors.
Alcohol abuse can also cause fatty liver , but in this case we are talking about alcoholic liver disease and not non -alcoholic fatty liver.
Other possible risk factors are rapid weight loss , poor diet , gastric bypass surgery , and intestinal disease .
On the other hand, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis is more likely in older people, with diabetes, and people with high levels of blood fats.
What symptoms does fatty liver produce?
When there is fatty liver, the body synthesizes more fat and its processing (metabolism) and excretion can slow down. However, it is very common that non-alcoholic fatty liver does not manifest symptoms and progresses as a silent disease, although in some cases fatigue, general malaise and cause pain or discomfort in the upper right part of the abdomen may appear .
In the event that excess fat acts as a toxin causing inflammation and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and cirrhosis occur , there may be abdominal swelling due to fluid accumulation (ascites), swelling of the veins in the esophagus , which may rupture and bleeding, enlarged spleen , red palms , yellowing of the eyes and skin (jaundice), itching, and mental confusion .
If the process of fibrosis and cirrhosis is not interrupted, they can progress to liver cancer and end-stage liver failure, which means that the liver has stopped working.
How is it treated?
The treatment is based on controlling or eliminating the possible cause so that the disease does not progress and does not produce inflammation . One of the most common measures is usually to lose weight , since a 7% decrease can reduce inflammation and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and 10% can help reverse scarring and fibrosis.
Likewise, it may be necessary to stop taking any medication that is causing it and take steps to control diabetes or high blood pressure or to reduce excess fats in the blood. If you drink alcohol occasionally, even minimally, this habit should also be abandoned .
There is no specific medication to treat NAFLD. For safety reasons, a doctor should be consulted before using dietary supplements , such as vitamins, or any complementary or alternative medications or medical practices . Some herbal remedies may actually damage the liver.
In the event that cirrhosis occurs and the functioning of the liver begins to be deficient, it will be treated with medication and even surgery, and sometimes a liver transplant may be necessary .
4 tips to take care of yourself if you suffer from fatty liver
In addition to the measures seen in the previous section, it will also be advisable to modify the lifestyle following the following recommendations:
- 1. Lose weight.
Reduce the number of calories you consume each day and exercise regularly: try to get at least thirty minutes of physical activity a day. If necessary, ask your doctor or dietitian for help. - 2. Opt for a healthy diet.
Eating plenty of fruits, vegetables and legumes, as well as opting for healthy fats such as olive oil and whole wheat flour will help you lose weight and take care of your health. Try to avoid processed foods as well, as well as sugary drinks and alcohol. - 3. Keep your diabetes and excess cholesterol under control .
Take the medications prescribed by the specialist and watch your diet. Carry out controls and revisions periodically. - 4. Get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B.
In this way, you will reduce the risk of developing both liver infections.
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