Non-alcoholic fatty liver: Causes, symptoms, complications

This is an automatically translated article.

This article is expertly consulted by Gastroenterologist - Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital.
Many patients still ask themselves "Why do I have fatty liver when I don't drink alcohol?". In fact, fatty liver is caused by many other causes besides alcohol. What are the causes, symptoms, and complications of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease?

1. What is non-alcoholic fatty liver disease?

Currently, in western countries, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is increasingly common. In Vietnam, the proportion of patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is increasing.
Nonalcoholic fatty liver is the term used to refer to conditions caused by the accumulation of too much fat in liver cells. Usually the amount of fat will have to be less than 5% of the weight of the liver. A healthy liver contains little or no fat.
The early stages of fatty liver disease usually do not have any effect on the body, but if left for a long time, it will damage the liver, and can progress to cirrhosis and liver cancer.
All ages can get nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, especially the group of people between the ages of 40-50 have a high risk of this disease due to factors such as obesity, diabetes.
Consuming foods high in fat does not make the liver fatty by itself. Excessive calorie intake creates more fat to accumulate in the liver. In addition, a high insulin index contributes to an increased risk of fatty liver. Some risk factors for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease include:
Middle-aged subjects Those who have had undergoing gastric bypass surgery People who are overweight (body mass index 25-30) and obese (over 30) People with high cholesterol and triglycerides People with high blood pressure Subjects lose weight quickly. >>See more: Advances in the treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis - Article written by Master, Doctor Mai Vien Phuong - Gastrointestinal endoscopist - Department of Examination & Internal Medicine - General Hospital Vinmec Central Park International Faculty. Doctor has nearly 10 years of experience in the field of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.

2. Causes of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

People who are overweight or obese, especially belly fat. About 80-90% of patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease are overweight. Malnourished People with inherited metabolic disorders, high blood fats As a side effect of certain medications People with diabetes or pre-diabetes type 2 People with a high diet Sweeteners, fats, and inactivity Due to increased insulin resistance causing hypertriglyceridemia Due to cushing's syndrome, hypopituitarism, hypothyroidism and polycystic ovary syndrome in women who have apnea while sleeping. Due to increased oxidation in hepatocytes Due to the release of toxic inflammatory proteins.

3. Symptoms of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Currently, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease does not have specific symptoms like other diseases. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease alone usually has no symptoms.
Some of the symptoms of the patient are enlarged liver, fatigue, right upper abdomen.
In the case of more advanced disease such as cirrhosis, there will be more obvious symptoms such as: yellowing of the skin and eyes, vasodilation under the skin, ascites, nausea, enlarged spleen, red palms.
To date, there is still no exact cause of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. The causes of the disease are complex and unclear.

4. Complications of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease becomes more serious when it turns into hepatitis. Persistent hepatitis will cause scar tissue around the liver and nearby blood vessels causing cirrhosis, but the liver can still function normally.
The most serious complications of nonalcoholic fatty liver are liver failure and liver cancer. At this stage, the liver cannot function as it should.
For cirrhosis to develop, it takes many years, so it is necessary to change eating and living habits before the disease appears more serious complications.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is a fairly common disease, usually it does not cause complications and has little negative impact on health. The disease is caused by the accumulation of fat in the liver in people who do not drink alcohol or have very little. But if left too long, the disease will have extremely serious complications. Therefore, one should not be subjective about their own health status, when there are signs of the disease, it is necessary to immediately go to specialized facilities to perform tests and have timely treatment directions, and at the same time, it is necessary to take appropriate measures. implement a healthy, reasonable and scientific diet and rest.

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