Hepatic steatosis, also known as fatty liver, is a common problem that can appear at any stage of life, but mainly occurs in people over 50 years of age.
In general, it does not cause symptoms and can have several causes, the most common of which are the consumption of excessive alcoholic beverages and metabolic changes, such as abdominal obesity, diabetes and insulin resistance, and, therefore, its treatment is carried out with changes in diet, physical activity and control of diseases such as diabetes and high cholesterol.
However, if it is not controlled, or if it develops to an advanced degree, it can be serious and pose risks to the correct functioning of the liver. See below the main questions regarding this problem.
1. Is fatty liver dangerous?
Yes, because, generally, it is silent, and if the necessary care, recommended by the doctor, is not taken, it can progress and cause more serious inflammation in the liver, which over the years increases the chances of developing cirrhosis and insufficiency. of the organ.
2. Can thin people have fat in their liver?
Yes, this problem can arise even in thin people, especially those who don’t eat a healthy diet or who have problems such as diabetes and high cholesterol.
Additionally, losing too much weight quickly can also cause fatty liver due to changes that occur in metabolism, especially in people who have had gastric bypass surgery.
3. What are the causes of fatty liver?
The main factors that increase the risk of developing fatty liver are excessive alcohol consumption, obesity, type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, high cholesterol, being over 50 years old, malnutrition, use of medications such as glucocorticoids, and diseases. of the liver, such as chronic hepatitis and Wilson’s disease.
4. It is normal to have fatty liver and not experience symptoms.
True. Normally this problem only causes symptoms in more advanced stages, when the liver can no longer function properly. See the most common symptoms.
Therefore, it is normal for patients to only discover this disease when they go for a blood test or ultrasound to evaluate other health problems.
5. There is no medicine to combat fatty liver.
True. Generally, specific medications are not used to combat this problem, and its treatment involves changes in diet, regular physical activity, elimination of alcohol consumption, weight loss and control of diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol.
6. I have fatty liver, so I can’t get pregnant.
Lie. Pregnancy is possible, however, it must be planned and monitored by a gastro or hepatologist. At its mildest, fatty liver normally does not hinder pregnancy, as long as the woman follows a balanced diet.
However, there may be restrictions depending on the degree of the disease and the existence of other health problems, such as excess weight, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, and it is necessary to talk to the doctor to treat the disease and reduce the risk of complications during this period.
Furthermore, it is possible to develop acute hepatic steatosis during pregnancy, a serious condition that must be treated quickly.
7. Can children have fatty liver?
Yes, especially children who have obesity and diabetes or a high risk of developing diabetes, as excess weight and blood sugar cause changes in metabolism that favor the accumulation of fat in the liver.
The main part of the treatment is nutrition, so see what the diet for fatty liver should be like.
