What are the symptoms of fatty liver? Is fatty liver serious?

Written by Huang Gang
Gastroenterology
Updated on January 18, 2025
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If you have fatty liver disease, the symptoms are essentially the same as those of chronic hepatitis B and C, which include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, aversion to oily foods, and fatigue. Additionally, patients with fatty liver disease may experience a sensation of swelling and pain in the liver area. At this point, further liver function tests such as measuring transaminase and bilirubin levels can be conducted, and performing a hepatobiliary ultrasound can definitively diagnose the condition. If the fatty liver is due to obesity, it is advisable to strictly control food intake and engage in active and reasonable exercise for weight loss, as fatty liver can be reversed. However, if the fatty liver is due to long-term excessive alcohol consumption, it is recommended to strictly quit smoking and drinking, combined with reasonable exercise and diet control, as fatty liver can also be reversed.

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Written by Xie Zheng Yuan
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Harm of Fatty Liver to the Body

Fatty liver has become a common disease in modern people and it can bring potentially great harm to the body. Firstly, fatty liver can cause steatohepatitis, leading to elevated transaminases and causing inflammatory changes in the liver, damaging liver function. Long-term liver damage can lead to cirrhosis, and the likelihood of fatty liver turning into liver cancer also significantly increases. At the same time, most patients with fatty liver have abnormalities in lipid metabolism, are likely to have comorbidities like high blood sugar and high blood pressure, which could damage various systems throughout the body.

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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.

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Written by Wu Hai Wu
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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 Ren Zheng Xin
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How to improve diet for fatty liver

Patients with fatty liver should pay attention to a reasonable diet, ensuring three meals are balanced, both coarse and refined, eating more vegetables and fruits as well as whole grains, and eating less greasy and spicy foods, especially avoiding the intake of animal fats, and strictly abstaining from smoking and drinking. While adjusting the diet, it is important to engage in appropriate physical activities, such as jogging, playing table tennis, and practicing Tai Chi, to enhance the consumption of fat in the body. Be cautious when using medication to avoid liver-toxic drugs, maintain a positive attitude, and try not to get angry. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)

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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.)