Types Of Fatty Liver Diseases The fatty liver disease as the term suggests is the accumulation of excess fat in the liver of an individual. Although, having some amount of fat in the liver is a perfectly normal scenario any excess over 5 to 10% fat is a cause for concern. Also, accumulation of fat isn’t an irreversible condition – therefore so long as it is detected and appropriate measures taken, the condition doesn’t degenerate into a disease. Excess fat in the liver can also cause liver enlargement and interferes with liver functioning. The fatty liver disease can be classified into four types given below: 1. Non-alcoholic fatty liver The basic function of the liver is to be breakdown food and aid the digestive and metabolic activities of the body. There are possibilities, however, wherein the liver loses this capability and thereby begins accumulating fats. Fat content in excess of 10% of the overall liver weight is a condition termed non-alcoholic fatty liver. 2. Alcoholic fatty liver Excessive and unregulated consumption of alcohol is one of the primary factors that cause liver abnormalities. Non-alcoholic fatty liver is the first stage of alcohol-related liver conditions wherein there is considerable liver damage due to excessive drinking causing the liver to lose its ability to breakdown fats in the food. As a consequence fats accumulate in the liver. The condition, however, is yet reversible so long as alcohol consumption is stopped. Further consumption of alcohol gives scope for cirrhosis to set in and cause irreversible damage. 3. Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis Similar to alcoholic fatty liver disease, the nonalcoholic steatohepatitis is a ‘silent’ liver condition that affects people despite having no alcohol-related abuse. Alongside the accumulation of fat in the liver, there is also inflammation and liver damage, which unchecked can lead to cirrhosis. Primarily there is few or no symptom of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis during the early stages. However, gradually patients begin to experience fatigue, weight loss, and weakness. This condition can possibly worsen into scarring and hardening of the liver. 4. Acute fatty liver of pregnancy: This is a condition that can set in the final trimester of a women’s pregnancy. Although, the incidence of this disease is rather low, at 1 in every 20,000 pregnancies, the condition is potentially fatal. Acute fatty liver of pregnancy can cause rapid liver and kidney failure posing life-threat for both mother and baby if proper diagnosis is not made available at
the right time. The early systems include persistent nausea and vomiting, pain in the upper-right abdomen, jaundice, and general sickness.