Fatty liver symptoms, causes and treatments – Home remedies for avoiding fatty liver

Liver diseases have recently increased among the modern population .Impaired functioning of the liver will decrease the ability of the body to digest food, absorb nutrients, break down fats and to get rid of the toxics in the body. Fatty liver disease is one of the common types of liver disorder. It can be defined as a disease by itself, but it is known to trigger other diseases within it. It is a condition where there are excessive fat cells in the liver, even though it is normal to have some amount of fat in the liver. The fat in the liver accumulates in the cells and fills the spaces between the tissues making it expand and heavy. Increase of fat in the liver can lead to alcoholic or non-alcoholic liver diseases.

Alcoholic fatty Liver Disease

Fatty Liver can be a result of drinking moderate or large amount of alcohol. Alcoholic liver disease can also be passed from the parent to the child.  Other causes of alcoholic liver disease can be Hepatitis C, overload of iron, obesity and diet.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is the most common cause of chronic liver disease in the recent times. It is a not a normal condition, but it is not serious as long as it does not lead to inflammation or damage of the liver.

Some people with excess fat in the liver simply have what’s called a fatty liver. Although this is not normal, it is not serious if it doesn’t lead to inflammation or damage. Itis a condition similar to alcoholic liver disease but people suffering from this type of liver may be drinking very little or no alcohol at all. This can result into permanent damage of the liver. The liver may be enlarged and the liver cells may be replaced by damaged tissues. This disease is called cirrhosis, in which the liver function is not proper and one can develop a liver failure, liver cancer, or other liver related deaths.

Causes of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)

• This disease seems to be running in families as no specific cause has been clear.  It is diagnosed in middle aged and overweight persons.
• Other causes can be medications, viral hepatitis, rapid weight loss and malnutrition.
• Some recent studies indicate that growth of bacteria in the small intestines  can be a reason for developing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Symptoms of fatty liver disease

• There are hardly any symptoms seen in mild cases of fatty liver. Sometimes pain is felt on the right side of the abdomen which is caused by the fat increasing in the liver. In severe cases the liver enlarges causing cirrhosis.
• The symptoms of cirrhosis can be swollen tummy, itchy skin, vomiting, and confusion of mind, weakness in muscles and yellowness in the eyes.

Treatment of fatty liver disease

• Drinking of alcohol must be immediately stopped after diagnosis of liver cirrhosis in case of alcoholic liver disease.
• There is no specific treatment for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Changes in life style, losing excess weight, increasing physical activity and treating associated diseases like diabetes and high cholesterol may help to reduce the fat in the liver.

Home Remedies for fatty liver disease.

Steps to control non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

• Lose weight– Overweight persons must reduce the number of calories and increase the physical activity in order to lose weight. One can take professional help to reduce weight if one fails to reduce by this method.
• Choose a healthy diet– A healthy diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains will benefit the functioning of the liver.
• Exercise and more activity– At least 30 minutes of exercise 5 days a week must be a part of one’s routine.
• Control diabetes.  Diabetes must be kept under control by taking medicines and closely monitoring the blood sugar level.
• Lower cholesterol. A healthy plant-based diet, rigorous exercise and proper medications can help to keep the cholesterol and triglycerides at healthy levels.

Key points to remember for fatty liver diseases.

• Fatty liver disease is a term for conditions where fat builds up in the cells of the liver.
• There are two main types of fatty liver disease – alcoholic and non-alcoholic.
•  If one is diagnosed with Alcoholic fatty liver disease, it is essential to stop drinking alcohol.
• If one has non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, losing excess weight and being more active can help to reduce the amount of fat from the liver.