What causes fatty liver?
The most common cause of fatty liver is alcoholism. In alcoholic fatty liver, over consumption of alcohol changes the way that the liver breaks down and stores fats. Often, people with chronic alcoholism also suffer from malnutrition by eating
irregularly and not consuming a balanced diet. Conditions that can also cause fatty liver are other forms of malnutrition (especially when there is not enough protein in the diet), obesity, diabetes mellitus, and Reye's syndrome in children. Pregnancy can cause a rare, but serious form of fatty liver that starts late in pregnancy and may be associated with jaundice and liver failure. Some drug overdoses or toxic chemical poisonings, such as carbon tetrachloride, can also cause fatty liver.
The mechanism by which these diseases or factors cause fat to accumulate within liver cells is not known. Simply eating a high-fat diet, for example, does not produce a fatty liver. One possible explanation is that these diseases or factors slow the rate at which fat is processed (metabolized) and excreted by the body. The resulting buildup of fat within the body, according to this theory, is then stored inside the liver cells. |
More information on fatty liver
What's fatty liver? - Fatty liver disease can range from fatty liver alone to fatty liver associated with inflammation. Fatty liver is the collection of excessive amounts of triglycerides and other fats inside liver cells.
What causes fatty liver? - The most common cause of fatty liver is alcoholism. Conditions that can also cause fatty liver are other forms of malnutrition, obesity, diabetes mellitus.
What're the symptoms of fatty liver? - Fatty liver usually produces no symptoms. Symptoms that occur less often in alcoholic fatty liver are nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and abdominal pain.
How is fatty liver diagnosed? - A physical examination that reveals an enlarged liver without any other symptoms suggests fatty liver. A liver biopsy can be used to confirm fatty liver.
What's the treatment for fatty liver? - Treatment for fatty liverinvolves correcting the condition that caused fatty liver and providing supportive care.
What is acute fatty liver of pregnancy? - Liver failure, usually from unknown cause in late pregnancy, is referred to as acute fatty liver of pregnancy. |
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