What to Know About Fatty Liver Disease

If too much fat builds up in the liver, it can lead to inflammation, which can cause complications. Certain changes to your diet and exercise routine may help reverse the condition.
Fatty liver is also known as hepatic steatosis. It happens when fat builds up in the liver. Having small amounts of fat in your liver is normal, but too much can become a health problem.

Your liver is the second largest organ in your body. It helps processTrusted Source nutrients from food and drinks, and filters harmful substances from your blood.
Too much fat in your liver can cause liver inflammation, which can damage your liver and create scarring. In severe cases, this scarring can lead to liver failure.

When fatty liver develops in someone who drinks a lot of alcohol, it’s known as alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD).
In someone who doesn’t drink a lot of alcohol, it’s known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
According to a 2017 research review, NAFLD affects up to 25% to 30% of peopleTrusted Source in the United States and Europe.
What are the symptoms of fatty liver?

Fatty liver can progress through four stages, including:
۱.Simple fatty liver: There’s a buildup of excess fat in the liver. Simple fatty liver is largely harmless if it doesn’t progress.
۲. Steatohepatitis: In addition to excess fat, there’s also inflammation in the liver.
۳. Fibrosis: Persistent inflammation in the liver has now caused scarring. However, the liver can still generally function normally.
۴. Cirrhosis: Scarring of the liver has become widespread, impairing the liver’s ability to function. This is the most severe stage and is irreversible.

Both AFLD and NAFLD present similarly. However, in many cases, fatty liver causesTrusted Source no noticeable symptoms. But you may feel tired or experience discomfort or pain in the upper right side of your abdomen.
Some people with fatty liver disease develop complications, including liver scarring. Liver scarring is known as liver fibrosis. If you develop severe liver fibrosis, it’s known as cirrhosis, a potentially life threatening condition that can cause liver failure.

The liver damage due to cirrhosis is permanent. That’s why it’s so important to prevent it from developing in the first place.
Cirrhosis may causeTrusted Source symptoms such as:
• abdominal pain
• loss of appetite
• weight loss
• weakness or fatigue
• nausea
• itchy skin
• yellow skin and eyes
• easy bruising or bleeding
• dark-colored urine
• pale stools
• fluid accumulation in the abdomen (ascites)
• swelling (edema) of your legs
• web-like clusters of blood vessels under your skin
• breast enlargement in men
• confusion

To help stop fatty liver from progressing and causing complications, it’s important to follow a doctor’s recommended treatment plan.
About the types of fatty liver disease
There are two main types of fatty liver disease: nonalcoholic and alcoholic.
Fatty liver can also happen during pregnancy, although this is uncommon.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is when fat builds up in the liver of people who don’t drink a lot of alcohol.
If there’s no inflammation or other complications, the condition is known as simple NAFLD.
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a type of NAFLD. It’s when buildup of excess fat in the liver is accompanied by inflammation. A doctor may diagnose NASH if:
• you have excess fat in your liver
• your liver is inflamed
• you have no history of heavy alcohol use

When left untreated, NASH can cause liver fibrosis. In severe cases, this can progress to cirrhosis and liver failure.
Alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD)
Drinking a lot of alcohol damages the liver. Alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD) is the earliest stage of alcohol-related liver disease. If there’s no inflammation or other complications, the condition is known as simple alcoholic fatty liver.

Alcoholic steatohepatitis (ASH) is a type of AFLD. It’s when a buildup of excess fat in the liver is accompanied by inflammation, which is also known as alcoholic hepatitis. A doctor may diagnoseTrusted Source ASH if:
• you have excess fat in your liver
• your liver is inflamed
• you drink a lot of alcohol

If it’s not treated properly, ASH can cause liver fibrosis. Severe liver scarring (cirrhosis) can lead to liver failure.
Acute fatty liver of pregnancy (AFLP)
Acute fatty liver of pregnancy (AFLP) is when excess fat builds up in the liver during pregnancy. It’s a rare but serious pregnancy complication. The exact cause is unknown, although genetics may be a reason.

When AFLP develops, it usually appears in the third trimester of pregnancy. If left untreated, it poses serious health risks to the mother and baby.
If a doctor diagnoses AFLP, they will want to deliver your baby as soon as possible. You might need to receive follow-up care for several days after you give birth.
Your liver health will likely return to normal within a few weeks of giving birth.