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7Jul

Fatty liver is a condition commonly observed in obese individuals. It is characterized by the accumulation of excess fat in liver cells. When a person is obese, their adipose tissue (fat tissue) releases fatty acids into the bloodstream at an increased rate. The liver take up these fatty acids and store them as triglycerides, leading to fat accumulation in liver cells.

Symptoms of fatty liver:

Patients with fatty liver may experience varying degrees of symptoms. Grade 1 fatty liver disease is typically asymptomatic, while others may present with:

  • Fatigue
  • Weakness
  • Weight loss or loss of appetite
  • Abdominal discomfort or pain in the upper right area
  • Enlarged liver (hepatomegaly)
  • Elevated liver enzymes in blood tests (asymptomatic fatty liver)

Causes:

The causes of fatty liver include

Obesity:

Excessive weight gain and obesity result in an increased accumulation of fat in the body, including the liver. When the body’s fat stores exceed the capacity of fat cells to store it, fat starts accumulating in other organs, such as the liver.

Alcohol consumption:

Excessive alcohol consumption leads to alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD):

This condition is unrelated to alcohol consumption and is associated with factors such as obesity, insulin resistance, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and metabolic syndrome.

Medications:

Certain medications like corticosteroids, tamoxifen, and methotrexate can contribute to this condition.

Rapid weight loss:

Losing weight too quickly can cause fat to accumulate in the liver.

Genetics:

Some genetic conditions, such as inherited liver diseases, can increase the risk of developing this disease.

Diagnosing fatty liver:

The diagnosis of fatty liver typically involves a combination of medical history, physical examination, blood tests, and imaging studies. A common diagnostic tool is a fatty liver ultrasound examination, which assesses the liver for excess fat accumulation by visualizing its texture and detecting changes in echogenicity (the ability to reflect ultrasound waves).

Treatment:

The treatment takes a holistic approach, starting with healthy lifestyle changes, including weight loss (if overweight), regular exercise, and a balanced diet.

A healthy diet plays a crucial role in managing and potentially reversing this condition. The primary goals of a fatty liver diet are promoting weight loss (if necessary), reducing fat accumulation in the liver, improving insulin sensitivity, and supporting overall liver health. Here are some pointers for planning your diet:

  • Opt for whole grains (e.g., whole wheat bread, brown rice, quinoa) instead of refined carbohydrates. These complex carbohydrates have a lower glycemic index and help regulate blood sugar levels.
  • Include plenty of fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains to boost fiber intake, aiding digestion, promoting satiety, and potentially assisting with weight management.
  • Incorporate lean protein sources (e.g., skinless poultry, fish, tofu, beans, legumes) into your meals, as they are lower in fat and beneficial for liver health.
  • While it’s important to reduce overall fat intake, including healthy fats in your diet is equally crucial. Choose sources like olive oil, avocados, nuts, and seeds, providing essential fatty acids that positively impact liver health.
  • Foods to avoid with fatty liver are saturated and trans fats, high carbohydrates, refined foods, and fried or greasy meals.

Medications are prescribed in some cases to manage specific underlying conditions or improve liver health. However, there is currently no specific medication approved for the treatment of this disease.

For obese patients, surgery is sometimes recommended when other measures and medications are ineffective. The conventional surgical option for obesity are Gastric Sleeve and Bariatric bypass procedures, which comes with numerous complications and requires a prolonged recovery period. A new treatment for fatty liver disease is a minimally invasive approach called GAMMA-Block-BAE gamma block bariatric arterial embolization, pioneered by Dr. Imtiaz Ahmad and introduced for the first time in November 2017.

Dr Imtiaz is an expert interventional radiologist and an endovascular surgeon who works on the principles of minimally invasive treatment. This procedure was introduced by him for the very first time in Pakistan. It helps the patient to lose weight and ultimately the fatty liver gets treated.

For further information, email us at info@drimtiazahmad.com. Follow us on Instagram @Profdr_imtiaz_ahmad for more information and daily updates.

Fatty liver treatment & symptoms
3Feb

Learn about fatty liver symptoms, causes, and how to diagnose it. Discover how to prevent fatty liver with a healthy diet, exercise, and new treatment options like Gamma Block-Bariatric Embolization introduced by Dr. Imtiaz Ahmad. Find out more in this comprehensive guide.

What is Fatty Liver?

Fatty liver, also known as steatosis, is a condition in which there is an abnormal accumulation of fat within the liver cells i.e. hepatocytes. This can occur in both alcoholics and non-alcoholics and can range from a milder form known as simple fatty liver to a more serious condition known as non-alcoholic fatty liver.

How Does Your Liver Become Fatty?

There are several causes including

  • Obesity: It is one of the main causes as overweight individuals have high body fat that leads to a buildup of extra fat in the liver cells.
  • Alcohol consumption: It is another major reason as consuming more than moderate levels of alcohol can lead to fat accumulation in the liver, and over time, this can cause inflammation and scarring of the liver tissue.
  • Diabetes: High blood sugar levels can lead to fat deposits in the liver.
  • High cholesterol and triglyceride (fatty acid) levels due to bad eating habits cause increased storage of fat throughout the body, including in the liver.
  • Other risk factors include rapid weight loss, certain medications, and genetic predisposition.

Grading of Fatty Liver

Grade Description
1 It is the mildest form and is characterized by a small amount of fat accumulation in the liver.
2 It is characterized by a moderate amount of fat accumulation and some inflammation.
3 It is the most severe form and is characterized by a large amount of fat accumulation, inflammation, and scarring of the liver tissue.

How Does a Fatty Liver Present Clinically: Symptoms

Symptoms of fatty liver can be subtle and often go unnoticed, making it difficult to detect. However, some common symptoms include fatigue, weakness, weight loss, and abdominal pain. In advanced stages, it can lead to fibrosis, cirrhosis, liver failure, and even liver cancer.

How Do You Know if You Have a Fatty Liver: Diagnosis

It is important to catch fatty liver early, as it can be effectively treated in its early stages. If you are at risk of fatty liver or have symptoms, it is important to talk to your doctor and undergo regular liver function tests. An abdominal ultrasound, which is a non-invasive imaging test, can also be used for diagnosis.

Always rule out other causes of chronic hepatitis (e.g., heavy alcohol use, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, Wilson disease, autoimmune hepatitis, hemochromatosis, α1-antitrypsin deficiency)

What Treatment Options Do You Have?

The treatment for fatty liver depends on the underlying cause. Lifestyle changes, such as regular exercise and a healthy diet, can also help to improve the health of the liver and prevent the development of fatty liver.

In cases of excessive alcohol consumption, the first step is to stop drinking and allow the liver to heal. In cases of obesity and diabetes, weight loss and management of these conditions are crucial.

To reduce obesity, a major contributor to fatty liver, initially traditional methods of diet and exercise are tried; however, if they fall short, surgery may be recommended to prevent the worsening of obesity.

Bariatric surgery, a commonly used procedure for obesity treatment, can be invasive. To address this, a safer and innovative alternative was developed – Bariatric arterial embolization- Gamma block procedure by Dr. Imtiaz Ahmad, first introduced in Pakistan in November 2017 and aims to achieve the same results as bariatric surgery by inhibiting the release of ghrelin by 90%, a hormone with stimulatory effects on food intake and fat deposition. This endovascular procedure can gradually help to reduce the amount of fat in the liver and improve its function.

A healthy diet is crucial for managing fatty liver disease. It should consist of nutrient-dense foods that are low in saturated and trans fats. This includes lean proteins, whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and healthy fats such as olive oil and avocado. Foods to avoid include those that are high in sugar, saturated and trans fats, and refined carbohydrates. Processed foods, fried foods, and high-fat meats should be limited or avoided altogether. It is also important to drink plenty of water, as this can help to flush toxins out of the body and keep the liver healthy.

While there is no specific cure for this disease, there are treatments that can help to slow the progression of the disease and improve the health of the liver. Medications such as ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) can be used to help reduce inflammation in the liver and improve its function. In addition, vitamin E supplements have been shown to be effective in reducing disease progression.

New research suggests that a new drug, Elafibranor, is a promising new treatment for fatty liver disease. Elafibranor is a dual peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha/delta (PPARα/δ) agonist. This drug is designed to work by activating both PPARα and PPARδ receptors, which can help to reduce inflammation and improve the health of the liver.

In conclusion, fatty liver (Steatosis) is a common condition that can occur in both alcoholics and non-alcoholics. It can range from a mild form to a more serious condition and can lead to cirrhosis, liver failure, and even liver cancer.

The causes of fatty liver include obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, and excessive alcohol consumption. Treatment depends on the underlying cause, but lifestyle changes and proper diet, as well as new treatment options such as Elafibranor and 3-D Precision Guided Gamma block-Bariatric arterial embolization, can help to improve the health of the liver and prevent the progression of fatty liver.

With timely diagnosis, proper treatment, and lifestyle changes, it is possible to improve the health of your liver and prevent the progression of fatty liver. It is important to note that fatty liver is a progressive disease, so early intervention is key to managing the condition and avoiding serious complications.

If you’re someone from Pakistan who needs to get checked up for this, you can email us at info@imtiazahmad.com, or call 03302963300. Visit our YouTube channel for more videos and informative guides on getting treatment. https://www.youtube.com/c/DrImtiazAhmad. While international patients can contact 01192213302963300, or WhatsApp us at 03302963300. You can also visit our Instagram handle, obesity.weightloss.specialist, or follow Dr. Imtiaz on Twitter: @imtiaz99