Body Ache, Headache, Fever: Liver Problem Concern?

• Fatty liver disease is a condition caused by fat buildup in the liver (i.e., when fat percentage exceeds 5 - 10% of your liver's weight), which can be caused by alcohol intake and/or a high fat diet. Individuals who are obese/overweight, have poor glycemic control/insulin resistance, have metabolic syndrome, and are taking specific drugs such as amiodarone, diltiazem, tamoxifen, or steroids are at risk of developing fatty liver.

• In some situations, it is thought to be symptomless, but in others, it can cause substantial liver damage. The good news is that it is frequently avoidable or reversible with lifestyle modifications.

• It progresses through 3 stages which include Steatohepatitis (swelling and damage of liver tissue), Fibrosis (scar tissue formation where your liver is damaged) and Cirrhosis (extensive scar tissue replacement with healthy tissue). Cirrhosis can lead to liver failure or cancer.

• Laboratory investigations consists of Liver functions tests such as AST, ALT, ALP and GGT; Total Albumin and Bilirubin, CBC, Test for viral infection, Fasting Blood Glucose, HbA1c and Lipid profile.

• Imaging procedures such as Ultrasound, CT /MRI, Elastography (for measuring stiffness of liver) and Magnetic resonance elastography and Biopsy (for ruling out any cancerous growth and for signs or any inflammation and scarring).

• If a patient has a fatty liver, he or she should be checked for the entire metabolic syndrome, which includes diabetes, hypertension, cholesterol, and thyroid issues.

• The best way to treat fatty liver is with making some lifestyle changes which can significantly improve your health which includes – Avoiding alcohol and High fat diet, Losing weight, taking medications for controlling glucose and fat(Triglyceride and Cholesterol) levels and Vitamin E with Thiazolidinediones in specific instances.

• Currently, no drug treatment is approved for management of fatty liver disease.

In order to prevent further progression of disease one can:

 Maintain a healthy weight by consuming food less/minimal in in its fat percentage.

 Follow a Mediterranean diet which is high in vegetables, fruits and good fats.

 Exercise regularly for 45 minutes where in you can include combination of cycling with walking, cardio, CrossFit and yoga with meditation.

 Restrict alcohol consumption

We advise you to not discontinue any treatment course on your own, especially that related to antivirals for hepatitis B. Hepatitis B treatment can also be life-long in some cases.

We recommend you to see a liver specialist, then discuss all available options, as well as their risk/side effects/patients eligibility/pre-operative measures/tips to deal with side effects as well as your health conditions & family hisotry, and then allow the specialist to tailor your treatment for you.