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The liver is a big, meaty organ located on the right side of the abdominal cavity. It is reddish-brown in hue and appears rubbery on touch. Weighing roughly 3 pounds, the liver is normally protected by the rib cage, so it can’t be felt. The left and right lobes of the liver comprise two major regions in human anatomy. The liver is responsible for filtering the blood in the body as well as breaking down toxic compounds like alcohol and narcotics.
Bile is a fluid produced by the liver that aids in the digestion of fats and the removal of waste. The liver is divided into four lobes, each with eight parts and thousands of lobules (or small lobes). Fatty Liver is a disorder pertaining to the liver wherein extra fat is accumulated in it. In this article, we will discuss the causes, signs, stages, types, and symptoms of fatty liver.
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Keyterms: Liver, Organ, Digestion, Alcohol, narcotics, Blood, Human anatomy, fat, Tissue, cancer
Read Also: Symptoms of Liver Problem
What is Fatty Liver?
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Fatty liver disease is a common ailment caused by a fat build-up or excess fat accumulation in the liver. Some people don't display any symptoms of the diseases, therefore it might not seem like a big deal for them. This, however, can cause liver damage in some cases. The good news is that fatty liver disease may often be avoided or even reversed by changing one's lifestyle.
- The liver normally has a modest percentage of fat in its tissues, but in the case of fatty liver, there is an abnormal build-up of fat.
- It can lead to problems and raise the risk of liver damage in the long run.
- Hepatic steatosis is another name for fatty liver disorder.
- This condition is usually reversible with a well-balanced diet, regular exercise, and weight loss.
- If this illness is not properly managed, it can develop into more serious and life-threatening problems such as liver cirrhosis, liver inflammation, and even liver Cancer.
Fatty Liver Stages
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The progression of fatty liver can be divided into four stages:
- Simple Fatty Liver - Excess fat is accumulated in the liver.
- Steatohepatitis- Apart from excess fat, steatohepatitis causes inflammation in the liver.
- Fibrosis – Scarring of the liver due to inflammation.
- Cirrhosis - Liver damage is becoming more common and cirrhosis causes hepatitic deficiency.
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Functions of Liver
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The liver is a critical organ that performs over 500 activities in the body. Waste products and foreign substances are removed from the bloodstream, blood sugar levels are regulated, and necessary nutrients are produced. Here are a few of its most crucial features:
- Albumin is a protein that prevents fluids in the bloodstream from leaking into the surrounding tissue. Hormones, vitamins, and enzymes are also transported around the body.
- Bile production is important for fat digestion and absorption in the small intestine.
- The liver filters all the blood leaving the stomach and intestines, removing toxins, byproducts, and other impurities.
- The liver regulates Amino Acids which are necessary for protein synthesis. The liver maintains a healthy level of amino acids in the bloodstream.
- It regulates Blood Clotting. Vitamin K, which can only be absorbed with the help of bile, a fluid produced by the liver, is used to make blood clotting coagulants.
- The liver also defends against Infections. The liver filters the bloodstream and eliminates bacteria as part of the process.
- Vitamins A, D, E, K, and B12, as well as iron and copper, are all stored in large levels in the liver.
- It processes glucose. The liver collects and stores excess glucose (sugar) in the bloodstream. It can convert glycogen back into g when needed.
Fatty Liver Types
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- Alcoholic Liver Disease: Heavy drinking leads to the accumulation of fat in the liver, which is known as alcoholic fatty liver. One drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for males is considered moderate drinking.
- Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease affects persons who do not drink heavily. Researchers have yet to discover the specific cause of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Obesity and diabetes are two variables that can raise your risk.
Fatty Liver Causes
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Many people get the fatty liver disease without having any other health problems. Risk factors, on the other hand, make you more prone to this disease. Some of the risk factors for fatty liver disease are:
- Obesity or being overweight.
- Type 2 diabetes or insulin resistance, which is a condition in which the body's insulin levels are abnormally high.
- Metabolic syndrome (insulin resistance, hypertension, high cholesterol, and high triglyceride levels).
- Taking diltiazem (Cardizem®), tamoxifen (Nolvadex®), amiodarone (Cordarone®), or steroids.
- Excessive exhaustion or mental disorientation.
Fatty Liver Symptoms
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This illness has no evident symptoms, but if it escalates to liver inflammation, one can notice the following signs and symptoms:
- Discomfort or pain in the upper right abdomen
- Fatigue/Weightloss
- Appetite loss
- Confusion in the mind
- Swelling in the abdomen
- Reddish palms
Things to Remember
- Fatty liver disease is a prevalent condition caused by the accumulation of fat in the liver.
- It can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle and taking care of your habits.
- The liver is one of the most important organs for a human body as it performs various vital functions that help a human to survive.
- If someone seems to have symptoms of fatty liver then he/she should consult a doctor as soon as possible.
- Fatty liver affects the body in 4 stages.
- Obesity or metabolic syndrome are some risk factors for fatty liver disease.
- The symptoms of fatty liver disease include pain in the right abdomen, confusion in the mind, swelling in the abdomen area, etc.
Sample Questions
Ques. What is the severity of Fatty Liver disease? (2 marks)
Ans. Simple fatty liver rarely progresses to the point of causing problems or liver injury. Liver fibrosis, or scarring, is caused by inflammation and damage to liver cells. Cirrhosis or hepatic carcinoma can be caused by NASH.
Ques. What causes Fatty Liver? (2 marks)
Ans. Excess calorie intake causes fat to accumulate in the liver.
- If additional illnesses, such as obesity, diabetes, or excessive triglycerides, are present, people are more likely to develop fatty liver.
- Fatty liver can also be caused by alcohol abuse, fast weight loss, and starvation.
Ques. What do you mean by AFLP? (3 marks)
Ans. Excess fat builds up in the liver during pregnancy, which is known as the acute fatty liver of pregnancy (AFLP). It's a relatively uncommon yet potentially fatal pregnancy condition. Although genetics could be a factor, the specific cause is uncertain.
AFLP commonly manifests itself in the third trimester of pregnancy. It poses major health concerns to both the mother and the baby if left untreated.
Ques. How can you treat fatty liver? (5 marks)
Ans. Fatty liver disease is currently treated with no drugs that have been approved by the FDA. To develop and evaluate drugs to treat this illness, more research is required.
Most stages of fatty liver disease can be reversed with lifestyle adjustments in many situations. Your doctor may, for example, encourage you to:
- Limit or avoid alcohol intake
- Take weight-loss steps
- Make dietary adjustments
- Medications and supplements that are harmful to your liver should be avoided.
Ques. What diet should be followed during fatty liver? (5 marks)
Ans. Maintain a healthy diet. Make an effort to include items from all food groups in your diet. Fresh fruits and vegetables, entire grains, lean proteins, low-fat dairy, and healthy fats and oils are all examples of this.
- Reduce your calorie intake. Make an effort to reduce your intake of high-calorie foods.
- Concentrate on fiber. Fiber can aid in the improvement of liver function. Fresh fruits and vegetables, lentils, and whole grains are examples of fiber-rich foods.
- Certain foods should be avoided. Reduce the intake of foods that are high in the following nutrients:
- sulphate (salt)
- Sweets, white rice, white bread, and other refined grain items are examples of refined carbohydrates.
- Saturated fats, which can be found in red meat, full-fat dairy, and other meals.
Ques. How fatty liver can be prevented? (5 marks)
Ans. It's critical to live a healthy lifestyle to avoid fatty liver disease and its repercussions. The following are some broad preventative suggestions:
- Restricting or abstaining from alcoholic beverages
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Eating a nutrient-dense, low-saturated-fat, low-trans-fat, and low-refined-carbohydrate diet
- Taking actions to keep your blood sugar, triglyceride, and cholesterol levels in check
- If you have diabetes, you should follow your doctor's treatment recommendations.
- Attempting to exercise for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week
Ques. Describe the structure of the liver. (3 marks)
Ans. There are four lobes in the liver: the larger right and left lobes, as well as the smaller caudate and quadrate lobes.
- The falciform ("sickle-shaped" in Latin) ligament, which joins the liver to the abdominal wall, divides the left and right lobes.
- The lobes of the liver are further divided into eight segments, each of which contains thousands of lobules (small lobes).
- A duct runs from each of these lobules to the common hepatic duct, which drains bile from the liver.
Ques. How can you maintain a healthy liver? (5 marks)
Ans. Taking active efforts toward a healthy lifestyle is the greatest approach to avoid liver disease. You can keep your liver healthy by following measures:
- Illicit drugs are toxins that the liver has to filter out. Taking these medications can have long-term consequences.
- Moderate Alcohol Consumption: Alcohol is broken down by the liver. While the liver can handle little amounts of alcohol, excessive consumption can harm the liver.
- Exercise regularly: Maintaining a regular exercise program will aid in the overall health of all organs, including the liver.
- Consume Healthy Foods: Excessive fat consumption can make it harder for the liver to function properly, resulting in fatty liver disease.
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