Bumrungrad Health Briefs #43: The Silent Threat of Fatty Liver Disease: What You Need to Know
Bumrungrad Health Briefs #43: The Silent Threat of Fatty Liver Disease: What You Need to Know
Located in the upper right abdomen under the diaphragm, the liver is essential for metabolizing food, removing toxins, and supporting the immune system. Despite its critical functions, it's prone to damage from viruses, toxins, and unhealthy lifestyle choices like high-fat diets and insufficient exercise. This contributes to the rising incidence of fatty liver disease, a "silent disease" that often progresses without symptoms, making awareness key to its prevention and management.
Understanding Fatty Liver Disease
Fatty liver disease occurs when excess fat builds up in the liver cells. Fatty liver disease appears in two main forms:
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Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (AFLD): Linked to excessive alcohol consumption.
Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD): Fatty, sugary, and high-carb diets can cause excess fat storage in liver cells, increasing the risk of NAFLD. Factors like obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, and certain medications also contribute to this often silent health issue.
Key Risk Indicators
Major risk factors include:
- Waist circumference over 40 inches for men and 35 inches for women.
- High blood sugar levels (over 100 mg/dL).
- Elevated triglycerides (over 150 mg/dL).
- Low HDL cholesterol (below 40 mg/dL for men and 50 mg/dL for women).
Fatty liver disease often progresses unnoticed and is usually discovered during routine health checks or other medical consultations.
Signs and Symptoms
Many individuals with fatty liver disease experience no symptoms. However, some may notice:
- Fatigue
- Abdominal discomfort
- Unexplained weight loss
In advanced stages, it can lead to more severe conditions like cirrhosis or liver cancer.
From Prevention to Management
Diet and Lifestyle Adjustments:
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Eat a balanced diet with lots of fruits and vegetables and fewer fats and sugars.
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Regular exercise and healthy weight maintenance are key; losing 5-10% of body weight can greatly reduce liver fat.
Medical Prevention:
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Vaccinate against viral hepatitis if at risk to prevent liver complications.
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Regular check-ups and liver tests are crucial for disease management.
Conclusion
It is crucial to understand fatty liver disease for early detection and prevention. Manage risks through lifestyle adjustments, regular check-ups, and expert care at centers like Bumrungrad’s Liver Disease Clinic. Stay informed and proactive, and consult healthcare professionals if you have liver health concerns.
Provided by Liver Disease Clinic, Bumrungrad International Hospital (Bangkok, Thailand)
Learn more: https://bhx.one/LFssUU