The impact of nutrition and lifestyle on the liver is quite significant. Studying the main factors leading to fatty liver disease and conducting proper diagnostics directly affect the course of the disease.
What are the main factors causing fatty liver disease?
The main factors leading to fatty liver disease are associated with various lifestyle and health indicators.
- Alimentary factor: This includes our diet, sleep, and lifestyle routine. Lifestyle refers to a sedentary lifestyle.
- Hormonal medications: Long-term use of hormonal medications negatively affects the liver.
- Alcohol and smoking: Long-term alcohol abuse and smoking.
- Fast food and beverages: Consuming fast food, as well as colored and carbonated drinks.
- Hepatitis B and C: In patients who have had Hepatitis B and C, we can observe liver steatosis in the post-treatment condition.
Does fatty liver lead to cancer?
Although not every fatty liver leads to cancer, this risk exists under certain conditions. Genetic factors play a major role in the progression of fatty liver disease to a malignant tumor. If a person has a genetic predisposition to liver diseases, the process may develop through the following stages:
- First, fibrosis forms in the liver
- Then the process progresses to cirrhosis
- In the final stage, hepatocellular carcinoma, meaning a malignant tumor, can develop
What examinations are performed to assess the condition of the disease?
To determine whether the patient needs treatment, blood tests are performed first. Then we turn to elastography, a method I apply. Previously, we determined the condition through a biopsy by penetrating into the liver tissue and cells, but since biopsy causes many complications, most people agree to this examination with difficulty.
How is cholesterol level related to a fatty liver?
We consider cholesterol normal up to 5.5, but in some cases, this indicator is 8. When cholesterol is high, you likely have a fatty liver as well. In such a situation, to help the patient, individual evaluation is definitely required.
Do painkillers cause liver problems?
During patient consultations, I often encounter the supplementary use and intake of unnecessary medications. People often resort to painkillers just to stop the pain, without paying attention to the instructions for use or whether the medication should be taken at all. Taking such unnecessary preparations does not help treatment; on the contrary, it can harm the body, and some antidepressants also lead to such liver problems.
What are the types of hepatitis?
When hepatitis is mentioned, the first ones that come to mind are the famous Hepatitis A, B, and C, but in fact, hepatitis is of two types: viral and non-viral origin.