Can fatty liver be contagious?

Written by Huang Gang
Gastroenterology
Updated on September 21, 2024
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Fatty liver has many causes, the most common being obesity, as well as alcohol; long-term excessive drinking can cause alcoholic fatty liver. Other causes include malnutrition or long-term excessive use of certain medications, including anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroids, which can significantly damage the liver. Drugs used to lower blood lipids can also lead to fatty liver. Fatty liver is caused by these factors, not by an infection from a particular bacterium or virus, so it is not contagious. If you have fatty liver, it is recommended to exercise regularly under the guidance of a doctor. There are no shortcuts; only exercise can eliminate fatty liver.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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What to eat for fatty liver?

Fatty liver refers to the decreased ability of the liver to metabolize fats or an increase in blood lipids. In such cases, it is first important to pay attention to a light diet, eat more vegetables, and drink more water, which is conducive to the metabolism of triglycerides. Additionally, it is best to avoid greasy and spicy foods, as excessively fatty foods can also enter the bloodstream after digestion and absorption, further burdening the liver. It is also important to engage in more outdoor exercise to enhance physical fitness and reduce the accumulation of fats.

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Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
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How to treat fatty liver disease?

The treatment of fatty liver includes pharmacotherapy, surgical treatment, and dietary and lifestyle management. Since the occurrence of fatty liver is related to various factors, it is important to adhere to the principles of early detection, early diagnosis, early treatment, and comprehensive management. Active measures should be taken to treat the cause of the disease. For example, it is crucial to quit alcohol early, discontinue medications harmful to the liver, monitor the patient's weight, and actively encourage weight loss. In everyday pharmacotherapy, vitamins, B-complex vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin K, and folic acid can be used. Appropriate hepatoprotective medications can also be utilized. In severe cases, liver transplant surgery or weight loss surgery may be necessary.

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Written by Shen Jiang Chao
Radiology
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Fatty liver MRI manifestations

Fatty liver, also known as hepatic steatosis, typically appears normal in most cases on MRI. However, a minority of cases may show high signals on T1 and T2. In fat-suppressed sequences, the high signals disappear after the fat is suppressed, appearing as low signal shadows. MRI has a specific sequence for examining fatty liver, known as the dual-echo sequence, which includes two sequences: one is the in-phase sequence and the other is called the opposed-phase sequence. The in-phase sequence examines the liver parenchyma, while a characteristic feature in the opposed-phase sequence is the significant decrease in signal in areas of fatty metamorphosis.

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Written by Wo Cheng
Hepatology
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Can mild fatty liver heal itself?

Mild fatty liver can potentially be cured. Mild fatty liver refers to a lesser accumulation of fat in the liver. If one can effectively control their diet and enhance physical exercise, healing can be achieved. Fatty liver means that a large number of fat cells are not consumed and accumulate in the liver, causing damage to the liver cells, which we call fatty liver. In people with mild fatty liver, there is less fat accumulated in the liver. If one can persist in effectively controlling their diet while also appropriately strengthening physical exercise, self-healing can occur. People with fatty liver also need to regularly monitor liver function for any changes. If there is liver damage, it may be necessary to receive appropriate treatment with liver-protecting drugs. If liver function is normal, simply exercising reasonably and controlling diet can alleviate symptoms and signs.

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Written by Wu Peng
Gastroenterology
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Complete Recipe Collection for Fatty Liver Diet

Fatty liver disease currently has a high incidence rate in our country. If dietary habits are not modified, it can further damage the liver. To prevent the progression of fatty liver disease, it is necessary to pay attention to the following aspects of diet. Firstly, reduce the intake of sucrose and honey. For foods high in sugar, such as vegetables and fruits, consume them in smaller quantities. Additionally, you can eat appropriate amounts of grains and increase the intake of vegetables and fruits that are low in sugar, which is beneficial for the recovery from fatty liver. Secondly, it is advisable to increase the intake of fish, dairy products, and eggs, as patients with fatty liver need to repair and regenerate liver cells, and consuming high-protein foods is beneficial for liver recovery. Thirdly, the intake of fatty meats and animal liver, which are high in cholesterol, should be controlled to prevent further damage to the liver. For example, animal liver contains a lot of cholesterol and should be consumed less frequently. Fourthly, it is necessary to supplement vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. Moreover, regular physical exercise should be performed.