How does fatty liver disease go away?

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes 45 seconds

What is fatty liver disease, and how does it develop?

Under normal conditions, there is some fat in the liver. The condition we call fatty liver disease is a health problem that occurs when much more of this fat than normal accumulates in the liver. Factors such as alcohol consumption, high cholesterol, insulin resistance, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and unhealthy eating habits are among the causes of fatty liver. For these and similar reasons, when the amount of fat in the liver exceeds 5% or 10% of the liver’s weight, it is considered a medical problem.

Although we consider alcohol consumption among the causes of fatty liver disease, this condition can also occur in people who do not consume alcohol. In the past, fatty liver disease in people who consumed little or no alcohol was described as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. However, this condition is now described as MASLD – steatotic liver disease associated with metabolic dysfunction.

Fatty liver disease, which is often associated with lifestyle-related factors, can prevent the liver from functioning effectively if not treated. If neglected for a long time, it can reach much more serious dimensions, such as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), fibrosis, and even cirrhosis, potentially resulting in liver failure.

What are the symptoms of fatty liver disease?

It is quite difficult to recognize fatty liver in the early stages. Usually occurring without obvious symptoms, fatty liver disease can develop silently over time. However, after the disease reaches a certain point, some symptoms may appear.

• Common symptoms of fatty liver can be listed as follows:
• Feeling tired and sluggish even after adequate rest
• Discomfort and pain due to inflammation in the upper right part of the abdomen where the liver is located
• Weight loss occurring in combination with other symptoms
• Swelling in the abdomen or legs
• Yellowing of the skin or eyes (may indicate that the condition is quite advanced)

However, as we mentioned, symptoms may not appear until the disease is at a very advanced stage. For this reason, people with high cholesterol, obesity, or diabetes need to be monitored for possible fatty liver disease by having periodic checks.

How is fatty liver disease diagnosed?

Diagnosing fatty liver disease involves a combination of medical history, physical examination, and medical tests. However, because there may be few or no symptoms, the patient often does not think they have such a condition and does not seek medical help. Rather, the condition is discovered by chance after tests for other health problems.

The diagnostic process may include

• Blood tests: A blood test looks for inflammation in the liver by checking values such as AST and ALT. However, this test alone is not sufficient to diagnose fatty liver disease.
• Imaging tests: The most commonly used imaging method to detect fatty liver disease is ultrasound. CT scans or MRI scans can also be used for a more detailed evaluation.
• FibroScan (transient elastography): This tool can measure fat content in the liver and liver stiffness to assess the degree of fibrosis.
• Liver biopsy: In indeterminate or advanced cases, a small tissue sample can be taken from the liver so that the most accurate assessment can be made promptly.

How does fatty liver disease go away?

There is no single drug approved for the treatment of fatty liver disease. Therefore, instead of treatment with medication, measures to improve and eliminate the underlying causes through lifestyle changes come to the fore in the fight against fatty liver disease.

If you think that these measures will be insufficient instead of drug treatment, do not despair. You can still reverse fatty liver disease by achieving very successful results with these changes in your lifestyle, especially in the early stages when fatty liver disease is not very advanced.

Treatment for fatty liver disease generally includes the following:

• Lifestyle changes: A healthy diet, an active lifestyle, and healthy weight loss are among the most effective methods of recovery.
• Management of associated diseases: Treatment of diabetes, lowering cholesterol, and controlling blood pressure will contribute to the healing process by reducing the burden on the liver.
• Limiting alcohol intake: Complete abstinence from alcohol is very important for those with alcoholic fatty liver disease.
• Medications (if necessary): Your doctor may prescribe medication to manage associated conditions, such as insulin resistance or high cholesterol, and improve liver health.

What are the foods that are good for the fatty liver?

A healthy diet is one of the most important measures against fatty liver disease. However, this nutrition program must be sustainable. For this reason, instead of following a strict diet program that will provide weight loss in the short term, it would be much better to follow a healthy nutrition program that you can maintain for life. The main foods that are good for eliminating fatty liver disease are as follows:

• Leafy greens and vegetables rich in fiber and antioxidants, such as spinach, kale, broccoli, and brussels sprouts
• Provided not too much is consumed, eat strawberries, apples, and citrus, which are rich in vitamins and antioxidants.
• Whole-grain foods such as brown rice, oats, and quinoa
• Healthy fats rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, walnuts, and flaxseed
• Legumes and beans, which are high in fiber and protein
• Provided you do not drink too much, drink coffee as it reduces the risk of inflammation and fibrosis.

As important as it is to consume the foods mentioned above, it is just as important to avoid certain foods. For a healthy life free from fatty liver disease, you should avoid processed foods, refined sugar, and products containing trans fats.

What should be done to prevent fatty liver disease?

It is possible to take your fatty liver problem under control by making some changes in your daily life. However, you should start thinking about these changes as the routines you’re going to live by. In other words, these changes should be a part of your life.

• Work in a programmed way to reach a healthy weight and maintain it once you reach it. Excess weight, especially around the abdomen, is one of the causes of fatty liver disease.
• Aim for moderate physical activity such as brisk walking, swimming, or cycling for an average of 150 minutes a week.
• Minimize consumption of foods containing sugar, white flour, and saturated fats and focus on fresh, unprocessed foods rich in fiber and lean proteins.
• Monitor your blood sugar and cholesterol levels regularly.
• Limit alcohol consumption

Preventing fatty liver disease is more about consistency than quick fixes. Making these measures a part of your life will contribute to improving your health.

Which doctor do you need to see for fatty liver disease?

If you suspect that you may have fatty liver disease or have risk factors such as obesity, diabetes, or high cholesterol, it is important to consult the right healthcare professional. The process of your liver treatment starts with a primary care doctor who can order initial tests and decide whether further evaluation is needed.

In cases where fatty liver disease has progressed, a gastroenterologist or hepatologist may be consulted for more specialized care. In some cases where a person has a metabolic condition, such as diabetes, that affects liver health, treatment may be led by an endocrinologist.