Fatty Liver Disease as it affects everyone

Emobileclinic Trending Topic : Fatty Liver Disease

Fatty liver disease affects both male and female and we are communicating as it affects everyone. It happens when more than certain percentage of fat constitute to a substantial weight of the liver. In this situation 5-10% of the liver is made up of fat.

Two types are known; alcoholic liver disease and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Alcoholic Liver disease

This condition happens with too much drinking of alcohol. It can also be generic. Other factors that can play a role are obesity, excessive iron in the body and hepatitis C.

Ingestion of alcohol during pregnancy on a regular basis apart from causing fetal alcohol syndrome can affect the liver. Other effects of alcohol during pregnancy are;

• growth retardation and characteristic appearance of epicanthic folds and long philtrum

• mental retardation and other congenital abnormalities

• It affects fetal growth and development due to metabolism of ethanol

Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

The causes of this type of liver diseases remain unknown but common cases show that it is hereditary. Other risk factors are;

• Obesity

• Diabetes

• age(mid)

• high cholesterol

• Medication

• Viral hepatitis

• Unhealthy diet

Acute Fatty Liver Disease in Pregnancy

Liver disease occurs most often when there is pre-eclampsia which is reflected on as Hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelet count. Acute fatty disease in pregnancy occurs once in every 10,000 deliveries and it is usually driven by obesity. Other factors are pre-eclampsia, twin pregnancy and male fetuses. Acute fatty liver is a scenario where the liver is covered with fat. It is a critical medical condition that could lead to liver or kidney failure. Symptoms develop acutely but tend to be rather non-specific. It could come with;

• Abdominal pain

• vomiting

• Head Ache

• Jaundice

• High blood pressure

• Unconsciousness

• Hypoglycaemia

• Liver failure

• Renal failure

• Disseminated intravascular coagulopathy

• Coma & death

Management of acute fatty liver in pregnancy is very important. Once noticed, patient is transferred to intensive care where condition is monitored. Once blood pressure, blood sugar and coagulation status are confirmed and the patient condition is stabled, the baby is delivered by caesarean section.

It is important to undergo regular checkup as this is when fatty liver disease is usually discovered as it presents with liver enlargement. Some blood test and ultrasound could also detect fatty liver disease.

Ensuring you exercise regularly to avoid being overweight will help in management of this condition. Also important is addressing other medical conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure. A good diet and maintaining a healthy life style would go a long way to keep you off risk.