If during a medical consultation they tell you There is fat in your liver Or other situations, you might be wondering how much of an impact this has on your overall health?
“The liver is one of the most important organs in the human body”said Dr. David Victor, a liver specialist at Houston Methodist Hospital. “It’s a recycling center where waste products generated during your body’s daily operations are eliminated; it also performs other essential tasks.”
The liver helps the body detoxify By breaking down drugs and harmful substances. Produces bile, which aids in digestion; this organ is where many of the nutrients we need are produced, processed, and stored. Not surprisingly, our liver must be in optimal condition to perform all of these tasks.
“The sooner liver problems are detected and addressed, the better,” adds Dr. Victor. “We have to monitor the health of this organ because, unlike a sprained ankle, the liver does not get injured when it is affected.”
What is liver disease?
The true extent of liver disease is difficult to define, but ultimately it is what happens when the liver is damaged for a variety of reasons.
“It all starts with inflammation“Over time, this can progress to fibrosis and eventually cirrhosis, which is permanent liver damage.”
Some of these damages (inflammation and fibrosis) are reversible.
“The liver is the only organ that can regrow,” Dr. Victor explains. “So if there’s still no permanent damage done, The liver can heal itself As long as the cause of the damage is resolved, normal conditions can be restored.
Cirrhosis, on the other hand, is the formation of irreversible scarring in the liver and prevents the organ from functioning as it should. The greater the damage, the less efficient the liver can perform its critical tasks.
“YesIf the disease continues to progress, the liver may begin to failr,” Dr. Victor said. “A liver transplant is needed at this time, otherwise the patient will die. “
What causes liver disease?
What causes liver inflammation and damage in the first place?
There could be many reasons:
- Hepatitis B or C infection
- Certain autoimmune diseases, including autoimmune hepatitis and primary biliary cholangitis
- Inherited metabolic conditions causing iron overload or copper accumulation
- Fatty liver disease, formerly known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) but now known as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatosis liver disease (MASLD), will be referred to simply as “fatty liver disease” for simplicity.
- Chronic alcoholism
“Viral hepatitis infection can become chronic without people knowing it, That’s why early detection is crucial,” says Dr. Victor. “Other causes of liver disease, such as autoimmune diseases and metabolic problems, are very rare but can occur without people knowing. “
The most common of these causes is fatty liver disease associated with metabolic dysfunction (MASLD).
“It is estimated that up to one in two adults may meet criteria for MASLD, which means more than 5 percent fat in the liver,” Dr. Victor added. “However, most of these people will not develop liver disease.”
Regardless, it is crucial to recognize liver inflammation and treat it before it causes permanent damage.
What are the first symptoms of liver disease?
“Liver disease does not cause physical symptoms until the damage becomes severe,” Dr. Victor warns. “But by the time symptoms appear, there’s often already irreversible damage, and that’s what we’re trying to prevent.”
Late-stage symptoms of liver disease include:
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
- abdominal swelling
- easy and severe bruising
- swelling of legs and ankles
“So the key is really early diagnosis; catching the problem before those symptoms appear,” Dr. Victor emphasized. “We can do this by monitoring liver function and detecting viral hepatitis.”
Although it is not in itself a sign of liver disease, Fatty liver disease increases the chance of chronic damage. To prevent this from happening, it’s helpful to understand the risks of this common problem.
The following health conditions increase the risk of metabolic-related fatty liver disease:
- type 2 diabetes
- obesity
- high cholesterol
- Metabolic syndrome
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
“Only a small percentage of people with fatty liver disease end up with true liver damage,” Dr. Victor details. “That’s why if you have risk factors, you should talk to your doctor to assess whether routine blood tests are necessary.”
How is liver disease diagnosed?
Houston Methodist Hospital experts say the goal is to detect liver problems before they develop into liver disease.
“We can do this with liver function testswhich is part of a person’s routine annual comprehensive metabolic exam,” explains Dr. Victor. “With a blood test, your primary care doctor can evaluate levels of liver enzymes and proteins such as ALT (alanine aminotransferase), AST (aspartate aminotransferase)), bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase”.
If these liver function tests are normal, it usually means the liver is healthy.
“However, the scale of these tests has changed,” Dr. Victor warned. “People who have had normal liver function have been told in the past that they should watch carefully, especially ALT levels.”
A normal ALT for women is about 20, and for men a normal ALT is between 30 and 40.; Higher values are a sign of liver inflammation.
Having a doctor evaluate these values is part of a person’s annual preventive checkup. It is always necessary to seek such care to monitor the health of your liver. This is especially important if you have risk factors for fatty liver disease. If you are diagnosed with this disease, your doctor may order additional tests to evaluate your liver.
“The American Gastroenterological Association urges people with metabolic diseases associated with fatty liver disease to be screened for advanced liver disease with a FIB-4 blood test,” said Dr. Victor. “If you are concerned or have been told that you have fatty liver disease and elevated liver enzymes, this test can determine whether you are at risk for fibrosis or cirrhosis.”
If blood tests show liver damage, a special type of ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be used to confirm liver health and determine the severity. In complex or advanced cases, liver biopsy may be required.
How is liver disease treated?
The first step in treating liver disease is to identify and correct its cause.
“Viral hepatitis can be a chronic infection that affects the liver without people knowing, so our goal is to test people for hepatitis B and C and treat them if confirmed,” Dr. Victor suggestion.
In the U.S, Adults under 40 will receive hepatitis B vaccine As part of the routine childhood vaccination program. Therefore, they are protected. Most older adults are not vaccinated against hepatitis B, so they need to be tested at least once in their lives. Hepatitis B vaccine is not recommended for all adults, but your doctor can evaluate whether you are a candidate.
Current prevention standards recommend screening all adults for hepatitis C.
““Only recently have people been tested for hepatitis C.”Dr. Victor said. “We have an effective treatment, so the message is to get tested so you can receive treatment if you have a positive diagnosis.”
If you are not sure whether you have been tested for hepatitis B or C, talk to your doctor.
Fatty liver disease is the most common cause of liver disease, and its treatment is based on lifestyle changes.
“There are currently no FDA-approved drugs to treat fatty liver disease associated with metabolic dysfunction. But weight loss and a healthy diet are crucial,” Dr. Victor stresses. “In fact, losing 10 to 20 percent of your body weight can clear fat from your liver and cure fatty liver disease. “
Adopting a healthy diet may include reducing sugar intake, limiting or avoiding alcohol, and eating plenty of fresh, whole foods.
If liver disease has progressed to an advanced stage and cirrhosis develops, it should be carefully monitored by a doctor or managed by a liver specialist, who can provide treatment to prevent symptoms from getting worse.
What happens if chronic liver disease is not treated promptly?
“Once a person suffers from cirrhosis of the liver, it is irreversible, but the condition As long as liver inflammation is controlled, it itself remains manageable,” says Dr. Victor. “If left unchecked, ongoing damage can cause the liver to be unable to perform the activities the body needs to function optimally.
Complications of liver disease affect more than just the liver. They can affect the abdomen, lungs, brain, heart, and more. Also, if liver failure occurs, death may result unless a liver transplant is performed.
“Liver health is something everyone should consider,” Dr. Victor concludes. “Monitoring it includes seeking regular care from a doctor primary care and address possible situations. “Ideally, we want to prevent liver disease from occurring in the first place.”
For more information please visit:
Houston Methodist Global Healthcare Services | Houston Methodist
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