Fatty liver disease and its types (and how the symptoms differ)

Fatty liver disease is a modern-day pandemic and a major non-communicable health problem akin to coronary artery disease. Fatty liver (steatosis) is excessive fat accumulation in liver cells and is a common condition.

Dr Vinit Shah, Senior Consultant, Hepatology (Liver Transplantation medicine and Liver diseases) Ruby hall clinic, Pune Maharashtra says, “It is a spectrum where in there may be simple fat deposition in liver (fatty liver/ steatosis) to fat causing injury to liver cells and inflammation in the liver ((Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis) (NASH) to liver Fibrosis (scarring of liver cells due to repeated fat related injury).”

“Extreme end of the spectrum is Liver cirrhosis (irreversible liver scarring) leading to liver cell failure, increased liver pressure (portal hypertension), and liver cancers,” he added.

There are 2 types of fatty liver mainly:
Alcoholic Fatty Liver
Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver

Dr. Shah explains, “Alcoholic fatty liver disease is caused due to excessive consumption of alcohol. The liver's function is to break down the alcohol that is consumed so that it can be removed from your system. This process can generate harmful substances which may result in damaging your liver cells, causing inflammation and making your body weak. Hence the more you drink the more it damages your liver.”

Loss of appetite
Drowsiness
Vomiting blood
Blood in your stools
Diarrhea

Symptoms of Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease include:
Weight Loss
Fatigue and weakness
Abdomen pain in the top right.

“People who are obese or have high blood pressure are at higher risk of Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Patients with high cholesterol have a greater chance of developing NAFLD. People addicted to smoking are at an added risk,” says Dr. Shah.