Fatty liver (patient information): Difference between revisions
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'''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Fatty liver|here]]''' | '''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Fatty liver|here]]''' | ||
{{ | {{Fatty liver (patient information)}} | ||
{{CMG}}; | {{CMG}}; {{AE}} {{JW}} | ||
==Overview== | |||
== | |||
Fatty liver disease is a term used to describe the accumulation of fat in the liver of people. It can be caused by [[alcohol abuse]], [[overweight]], [[obesity]] and [[diabetes]]. People often learn about their fatty liver when they have medical examinations for other reasons. There are usually no symptoms that are noticeable to the patient. Some non-specific symptoms include [[fatigue]] and [[weakness]], [[abdominal discomfort]] or [[abdominal pain]]. The goal of the following tests is to rule out other liver diseases, such as [[hepatitis and cirrhosis]]. Usual tests include blood tests and images. There are no medical or surgical treatments for fatty liver, but a good life-style may help you revent or reverse some of the damage. Because steatosis may be reversible with life-style changes, the prognosis of many patients with fatty liver is good. Only 10% of the patients will progress to [[cirrhosis]]. | Fatty liver disease is a term used to describe the accumulation of fat in the liver of people. It can be caused by [[alcohol abuse]], [[overweight]], [[obesity]] and [[diabetes]]. People often learn about their fatty liver when they have medical examinations for other reasons. There are usually no symptoms that are noticeable to the patient. Some non-specific symptoms include [[fatigue]] and [[weakness]], [[abdominal discomfort]] or [[abdominal pain]]. The goal of the following tests is to rule out other liver diseases, such as [[hepatitis and cirrhosis]]. Usual tests include blood tests and images. There are no medical or surgical treatments for fatty liver, but a good life-style may help you revent or reverse some of the damage. Because steatosis may be reversible with life-style changes, the prognosis of many patients with fatty liver is good. Only 10% of the patients will progress to [[cirrhosis]]. | ||
== | ==What are the symptoms of fatty liver?== | ||
There are usually no symptoms that are noticeable to the patient with fatty liver. They often learn about their fatty liver when they have medical tests for other reasons. With the disease developing, patients may experience: | There are usually no symptoms that are noticeable to the patient with fatty liver. They often learn about their fatty liver when they have medical tests for other reasons. With the disease developing, patients may experience: | ||
:*[[Fatigue]] and [[weakness]] | :*[[Fatigue]] and [[weakness]] | ||
| Line 17: | Line 16: | ||
:*[[Confusion]] | :*[[Confusion]] | ||
Other health problems may also cause these symptoms. Only a doctor can tell for sure. A person with any of these symptoms should tell the doctor so that the problems can be diagnosed and treated as early as possible. | Other health problems may also cause these symptoms. Only a doctor can tell for sure. A person with any of these symptoms should tell the doctor so that the problems can be diagnosed and treated as early as possible. | ||
===Diseases with similar symptoms=== | |||
:*[[Hepatitis]] | |||
:*[[Cirrhosis]] | |||
:*[[Hepatocellular carcinoma]] | |||
==Who is at risk for fatty liver?== | ==Who is at risk for fatty liver?== | ||
:*[[Overweight]] (body mass index of 25-30) | :*[[Overweight]] (body mass index of 25-30) | ||
:*[[Obesity]] | :*[[Obesity]] | ||
| Line 27: | Line 31: | ||
:*[[Malnutrition]] | :*[[Malnutrition]] | ||
== | ==Diagnosis== | ||
Fatty liver may often be discovered while the physician is evaluating a patient for other illnesses. The goal of the following tests is to rule out other liver diseases, such as [[hepatitis]] and [[cirrhosis]]. | Fatty liver may often be discovered while the physician is evaluating a patient for other illnesses. The goal of the following tests is to rule out other liver diseases, such as [[hepatitis]] and [[cirrhosis]]. | ||
:*Blood tests: Blood tests including [[complete blood count]], liver function test, coagulation function test, etc. There may be a rise in certain liver enzymes found in the blood. | :*Blood tests: Blood tests including [[complete blood count]], liver function test, coagulation function test, etc. There may be a rise in certain liver enzymes found in the blood. | ||
| Line 43: | Line 47: | ||
:*Increase your physical activity | :*Increase your physical activity | ||
:*Get regular checkups from a doctor who specializes in liver care | :*Get regular checkups from a doctor who specializes in liver care | ||
==Where to find medical care for fatty liver?== | ==Where to find medical care for fatty liver?== | ||
[http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q={{urlencode:{{#if:{{{1|}}}|{{{1}}}|fatty liver}}}}&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=65.008093,112.148438&ie=UTF8&ll=37.0625,-95.677068&spn=91.690419,149.414063&z=2&source=embed Directions to Hospitals Treating fatty liver] | [http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q={{urlencode:{{#if:{{{1|}}}|{{{1}}}|fatty liver}}}}&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=65.008093,112.148438&ie=UTF8&ll=37.0625,-95.677068&spn=91.690419,149.414063&z=2&source=embed Directions to Hospitals Treating fatty liver] | ||
==Prevention | ==Prevention== | ||
:*Avoidance of [[alcohol abuse]] | :*Avoidance of [[alcohol abuse]] | ||
:*Eat a healthy diet and maintain a healthy weight | :*Eat a healthy diet and maintain a healthy weight | ||
==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?== | ==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?== | ||
Steatosis may be reversible with [[weight loss]] and/or stopping [[alcohol abuse]]. The prognosis of many patients with fatty liver is good. Only 10% of the patients will progress to [[cirrhosis]]. | :* Steatosis may be reversible with [[weight loss]] and/or stopping [[alcohol abuse]]. | ||
:* The prognosis of many patients with fatty liver is good. Only 10% of the patients will progress to [[cirrhosis]]. | |||
[[Category:Patient information]] | |||
[[Category:Hepatology]] | |||
[[Category:Medical conditions related to obesity]] | |||
[[Category:Gastroenterology]] | |||
[[Category:Disease]] | |||
{{WH}} | {{WH}} | ||
{{WS}} | {{WS}} | ||
Latest revision as of 20:22, 5 March 2013
For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here
|
Fatty liver |
|
Fatty liver On the Web |
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Jinhui Wu, M.D.
Overview
Fatty liver disease is a term used to describe the accumulation of fat in the liver of people. It can be caused by alcohol abuse, overweight, obesity and diabetes. People often learn about their fatty liver when they have medical examinations for other reasons. There are usually no symptoms that are noticeable to the patient. Some non-specific symptoms include fatigue and weakness, abdominal discomfort or abdominal pain. The goal of the following tests is to rule out other liver diseases, such as hepatitis and cirrhosis. Usual tests include blood tests and images. There are no medical or surgical treatments for fatty liver, but a good life-style may help you revent or reverse some of the damage. Because steatosis may be reversible with life-style changes, the prognosis of many patients with fatty liver is good. Only 10% of the patients will progress to cirrhosis.
What are the symptoms of fatty liver?
There are usually no symptoms that are noticeable to the patient with fatty liver. They often learn about their fatty liver when they have medical tests for other reasons. With the disease developing, patients may experience:
Other health problems may also cause these symptoms. Only a doctor can tell for sure. A person with any of these symptoms should tell the doctor so that the problems can be diagnosed and treated as early as possible.
Diseases with similar symptoms
Who is at risk for fatty liver?
- Overweight (body mass index of 25-30)
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- High triglycerides
- Alcohol abuse
- Rapid weight loss
- Malnutrition
Diagnosis
Fatty liver may often be discovered while the physician is evaluating a patient for other illnesses. The goal of the following tests is to rule out other liver diseases, such as hepatitis and cirrhosis.
- Blood tests: Blood tests including complete blood count, liver function test, coagulation function test, etc. There may be a rise in certain liver enzymes found in the blood.
- Imaging procedures and biopsy: Images studies such as ultrasound, computerized tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can show the constructure of liver and rule out other liver diseases. These images may show a slightly enlarged liver. To be certain of a diagnosis of fatty liver, the physician may recommend a liver biopsy. These images tests can guide biopsy and a biopsy sample is usually removed and looked at under a microscope by a pathologist.
When to seek urgent medical care?
Call your health care provider if symptoms of fatty liver develop.
Treatment options
There are no medical or surgical treatments for fatty liver, but a good life-style may help you revent or reverse some of the damage.
- Eat a balanced, healthy diet to reduce high blood triglycerides
- Control weight
- Avoid alcohol
- Control your diabetes, if you have it
- Increase your physical activity
- Get regular checkups from a doctor who specializes in liver care
Where to find medical care for fatty liver?
Directions to Hospitals Treating fatty liver
Prevention
- Avoidance of alcohol abuse
- Eat a healthy diet and maintain a healthy weight
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
- Steatosis may be reversible with weight loss and/or stopping alcohol abuse.
- The prognosis of many patients with fatty liver is good. Only 10% of the patients will progress to cirrhosis.