Obesity and Fatty Liver Disease: Now the Number One Threat to Liver Health

It used to be that cirrhosis of the liver (simply called cirrhosis by doctors) was the biggest liver-related health problem

. But in the last ten years or so, cirrhosis has been overtaken as the number one liver problem. disease.

Obesity is now the biggest threat to liver health, especially since it is the main cause of a dangerous liver condition called fatty liver disease.

Public health experts in the United States and Canada now agree that obesity, caused by poor nutritional habits and a sedentary lifestyle, has become a bigger threat to liver health than cirrhosis. To put it another way, there are more heavy people than there are heavy drinkers, so it's no wonder that fatty liver disease diagnoses have accelerated.

To appreciate how obesity affects the liver - and why fatty liver disease is so dangerous - it helps to understand how the liver works.

The liver usually metabolizes fat from the food we eat. But when we eat too much or don't exercise enough, large droplets of fat start to accumulate in the liver. As these fat droplets build up, the liver starts to produce more enzymes, which can cause inflammation of liver tissue. The inflammation eventually causes scarring and cirrhosis, in which liver tissue hardens and liver function decreases.

So, the name "fatty liver" describes exactly what happens when you have this disease. Because of poor diet, overeating or lack of exercise, your body produces more fat than it can burn off. Some of this fat begins to accumulate in your liver.

Some recent research indicates that between 10 and 20 percent of Americans may currently be afflicted by some degree of fatty liver disease (also called fatty liver syndrome). The Canadian Liver Foundation recently stated that fatty liver disease is now the fastest growing and most prevalent liver problem in Canada.

In addition, fatty liver disease is often "silent" in the early stages - there are no symptoms until a lot of damage to the liver has already taken place. Symptoms eventually will appear though, including:

* swelling of the abdomen

* fever

* jaundice, which makes the skin look yellow

* itichiness

* right side abdominal discomfort and pain

When these symptoms begin to appear, it's best to see a doctor as soon as you can. He or she will recommend some tests to determine if fatty liver disease is present. These tests might show an enlarged liver or the presence of elevated liver enzymes.

Even when symptoms aren't present, it may be a good idea to run liver function tests if you're overweight, eat a lot, and don't exercise much.

Treatment options for fatty liver disease depend on the cause. Special treatment is not always necessary if fatty liver disease is discovered in the early stages. Simple lifestyle changes can help return your liver to a healthy state. Losing weight is important. A healthier diet that includes fewer fatty foods and a regular exercise regimen can be extremely beneficial. Liver function will also improve if you cut back or completely eliminate your alcohol intake. Controlling blood sugar is important for patients with diabetes.

Obesity and Fatty Liver Disease: Now the Number One Threat to Liver Health

By: Neal Kennedy

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