Non-alcoholic fatty liver is a condition in which there is too much fat stored in the liver cells, but this occurs in people who do not drink alcohol or drink very little alcohol.

This condition is very common and can affect patients at any age, especially in people in their 40s and 50s who are at high risk of developing heart disease due to risk factors such as obesity and type II diabetes. This condition can be overcome by reducing risk factors.

Signs and symptoms of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease include:

- Enlarged liver;

- Physical fatigue and weakness;

- Nausea and loss of appetite;

- Swollen abdomen and legs (edema);

- Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice);

- Pain or discomfort in the upper right side of the abdomen;

- Abdominal swelling (ascites);

- Enlarged blood vessels just beneath the skin's surface.

There are many causes and risk factors for this non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, including:

- Obesity;

- Diabetes;

- Hypertension;

- Elderly;

- Sleep apnea;

- Hypothyroidism;

- Hypopituitarism;

- Hypertriglyceridemia;

- Hypercholesterolemia;

- Insulin resistance.

At its worst, this condition can progress to cirrhosis and liver failure. If the process is not handled properly, cirrhosis can lead to:

- Fluid buildup in the abdomen (ascites);

- Confusion and loss of consciousness;

- Swelling of veins in your esophagus (esophageal varices), which can rupture and bleed;

- End-stage liver failure, which means the liver has stopped functioning;

- Liver cancer.

To reduce the risk of this condition, you can do the following:

- Choose a healthy diet. Choose a healthy plant-based diet that's rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and healthy fats;

- Maintain a healthy weight. If you are overweight or obese, reduce the number of calories you eat each day and get more exercise. If you have a healthy weight, work to maintain it by choosing a healthy diet and exercising;

- Exercise most days of the week. Get an OK from your doctor first if you haven't been exercising regularly.

Treatment for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease includes treating conditions that may increase the risk or make the condition worse, such as:

- Lower total cholesterol levels;

- Maintain a healthy weight;

- Eat a healthy diet;

- Achieving a healthy weight—loss of 3% to 10% of total body weight;

- Control diabetes;

- Regular exercise.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor to understand the best solution.

Article Source:

http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/tc/nonalcoholic-steatohepatitis-nash-overview#1. Accessed October 25, 2021

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/nonalcoholic-fatty-liver-disease/home/ovc-20211638. Accessed October 25, 2021

http://patients.gi.org/topics/fatty-liver-disease-nafld/. Accessed October 25, 2021

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https://id.vector.me/search/fatty-liver