Does fatty liver disease transmit?

Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
Updated on September 01, 2024
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Fatty liver is relatively common in clinical practice. It is not an infectious disease and is not contagious. Fatty liver is generally considered to be caused by various reasons leading to fat deposition in the liver. Usually, there are no specific symptoms. Some patients may experience pain, dull pain, or discomfort in the upper right abdomen, along with nausea, etc. Typically, patients discover they have fatty liver during a physical examination or incidental liver function tests and abdominal ultrasound that indicate changes due to fatty liver. The general principle of treatment is symptomatic management. If liver function is abnormal, hepatoprotective treatment can be considered. Of course, if liver function is normal and it's purely fatty liver, the main approach is adjusting dietary and lifestyle habits. It is advised that patients consume high-quality proteins and reduce intake of greasy, fatty, low-fat, and low-sugar foods. Maintaining a good mental state, appropriately reducing weight, and exercising can cure mild fatty liver. If there is severe fatty liver, it is recommended that patients visit a local hospital for treatment.

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Written by Wu Peng
Gastroenterology
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How is fatty liver treated in young people?

Fatty liver can include alcoholic fatty liver and non-alcoholic fatty liver, with non-alcoholic fatty liver being common among young people. The treatment principles for these patients are: first, remove the cause and inducement, control the primary disease. Second, adjust the dietary plan, correct nutritional imbalances. Third, engage in physical exercise, primarily aerobic exercise, to control weight. Fourth, maintain normal blood lipids and blood sugar levels. Fifth, correct unhealthy behaviors, such as binge eating and lack of physical activity. Sixth, when necessary, take medications for liver protection, lipid reduction, and anti-fibrosis.

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Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
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What should I do about moderate fatty liver?

In cases of moderate fatty liver, it is essential to be very cautious about diet, strictly abstaining from smoking and drinking, and avoiding greasy foods. Additionally, engaging in appropriate physical exercise is advisable, ideally maintaining over half an hour of activity daily, which can boost immunity and prevent weight gain, potentially exacerbating the condition otherwise. Fatty liver is a reversible disease, but if not promptly addressed, it can progress to cirrhosis. Therefore, a light diet should be the primary focus, avoiding fried foods and high-fat foods, including animal organs. Regular follow-up visits to the hospital are also necessary.

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Written by Huang Gang
Gastroenterology
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Can fatty liver be contagious?

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 Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
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What should be noted for mild fatty liver?

People with mild fatty liver also need to pay special attention to their diet. It is important to consume a light diet and avoid high-calorie and high-fat foods such as fatty meats, fried foods, and animal organs; these should be minimized in the diet and replaced with more fruits and vegetables. Additionally, it is recommended to increase physical activity, as exercise can metabolize fats and has a certain therapeutic effect on patients with fatty liver. Simultaneously, alcohol should be avoided, as it can damage liver cells. If a patient with fatty liver frequently consumes alcohol, it can exacerbate the condition and may also lead to elevated liver enzymes.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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How long does it take to recover from fatty liver with exercise?

Fatty liver is a reversible disease that can gradually improve with proactive treatment, dietary adjustments, and appropriate exercise, although the duration of exercise varies from person to person. For mild fatty liver, the treatment period is short. In cases of severe fatty liver, exercise therapy must be complemented with medications, which extends the time required. Currently, there are no specific drugs that completely cure fatty liver. The main treatments involve protecting liver cells, reducing lipid levels, and using antioxidants. It is important to adjust the diet promptly, reduce the intake of greasy food, especially animal fats, and increase outdoor activities such as jogging and playing badminton. Maintaining a positive mindset also helps in recovery. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a doctor.)