What is Fatty Liver and What Causes It?
Fatty liver is caused by too much fat in the liver cells. It is a common condition, often caused by consuming a diet high in fat. Chronic, excessive alcohol use can also cause fatty liver.
Risk Factors for Developing Fatty Liver
You are at increased risk of developing fatty liver if you:
- Are overweight or obese
- Have diabetes or sleep apnea
- Drink excessive amounts of alcohol
- Store fat in your abdomen
- Have elevated cholesterol levels
- Have elevated levels of triglycerides in your blood
- Have metabolic syndrome or polycystic ovary syndrome
- Have an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)
- Have an underactive pituitary gland (hypopituitarism)
Signs and Symptoms of Fatty Liver
Fatty liver may not produce noticeable signs or symptoms, often undetected. If signs or symptoms develop, they can include:
- Fatigue and malaise
- Pain in the upper right abdomen
- Abdominal swelling (ascites)
- Enlarged blood vessels just beneath your skin
- Red palms
- Yellowing of your skin and eyes (jaundice)
What You Can Do to Manage Fatty Liver
There are several lifestyle modifications your gastroenterologist may recommend to manage fatty liver, including:
- Losing weight by eating fewer calories
- Eating a healthy diet of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
- Exercising at least 30 minutes each day on most days of the week
- Controlling diabetes with medication and diet
- Lowering cholesterol with medication and diet
- Limiting or eliminating alcohol consumption
How Your Gastroenterologist Can Help with Fatty Liver
Your gastroenterologist can help with fatty liver by prescribing medications to help lower cholesterol and blood sugar. Your gastroenterologist can also develop a customized treatment plan, which may include nutritional counseling, developing an exercise program, and steps to reduce or eliminate alcohol use.
Want To Know More About Fatty Liver?
To find out more about the causes, signs, symptoms, and treatment of fatty liver, call the gastroenterologists at Gastroenterology Clinic. You can reach them at: Downtown Monroe & West Monroe, LA, by calling (318) 325-2634, and Ruston, LA, by calling (318) 232-7080. Call today.