Q. What causes fatty liver?
Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.
Fatty liver, also known as hepatic steatosis, happens when too much fat builds up in your liver cells. Now, there are two main types: alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
AFLD, as the name suggests, is linked to heavy alcohol use over time. When you drink a lot, your liver prioritizes breaking down alcohol over processing fats, which can lead to fat accumulation.
NAFLD, on the other hand, is more common and can happen to people who don't drink much alcohol at all. This one is often tied to lifestyle factors like being overweight or obese, having high cholesterol or high triglycerides, and having type 2 diabetes. These conditions mess with how your body handles fats, and when there's an excess, the liver stores it.
So, what's the deal with liver function tests (LFTs) in all of this? Well, these tests help your doc check how well your liver is working. They look at levels of certain enzymes and proteins in your blood that can signal if something's off. If your LFT results show abnormalities, it could mean your liver is having trouble due to all that fat buildup.
But here's the thing: having a fatty liver doesn't always mean you'll have symptoms. Some folks go about their lives without even knowing they have it. But for others, it can lead to issues like fatigue, pain in the upper right abdomen, or even more serious stuff like liver inflammation or scarring.
The good news is, fatty liver can often be managed or even reversed with lifestyle changes. That means eating a healthy diet low in saturated fats and sugars, getting regular exercise, and cutting back on alcohol if that's a factor for you. Your doc might also recommend medications to help control things like cholesterol or diabetes if you need it.
So, if you're concerned about your liver health, it's worth chatting with your healthcare provider. They can run those liver function tests and help you figure out the best plan to keep your liver in tip-top shape.
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