Fatty liver disease is getting more common and now affects about one-third of all people in the world. A lot of people don't care about it because they think it's a small problem that won't get worse into something risky.
But can a mild case of fatty liver get worse and turn into cirrhosis or liver failure? How long does this whole process take? The answer depends on many factors, such as lifestyle decisions, underlying health problems, and early intervention.
What's good? Fatty liver can be fixed, but only if it is found early. To avoid long-term liver damage, it is very important to know the warning signs and risk factors.
From having a fatty liver to liver failure, there are different stages of liver disease.
There are four main stages that liver disease generally goes through:
1. Fatty Liver (Steatosis): This is the first stage where extra fat builds up in the cells of the liver. At this point, there are no obvious signs that the liver is not working right.
2. Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH): This disease gets worse when inflammation and fat storage happen together. This is where the liver starts to get hurt and scarring (fibrosis) starts to form.
3. Fibrosis: When liver disease lasts for a long time, it leaves behind large scars. The liver can still work, but it's harder to fix damage that has already been done.
4. Cirrhosis and Liver Failure: Cirrhosis is when the liver gets hard and scars because of extensive fibrosis. To this point, the liver's function is seriously harmed, leading to issues like jaundice, fluid buildup, and finally, "liver failure."
What is the Time Frame for Fatty Liver to Turn into Cirrhosis?
The order of events is different for each person.
- Some people with fatty liver may never get cirrhosis if they make changes to the way they live.
- Some people, especially those who don't eat well, are overweight, have diabetes, or drink too much alcohol, may get serious fibrosis or cirrhosis in as little as 10 to 20 years.
- Liver failure can happen within 5 to 10 years after cirrhosis has started if the damage is not fixed.
The most important thing is to find and treat fatty liver early, before it does lasting damage, because this process can happen slowly.
How to Tell if Your Liver is in Trouble?
Most of the time, fatty livers are "silent," which means that signs may not show up until a lot of damage has been done. But red flags that show liver health is getting worse are:
- Feelings of extreme tiredness and weakness that can't be explained.
- Abdominal Discomfort presenting as a dull pain or tightness in the upper right part of the belly.
- If you lose weight quickly without eating, this is called "unexplained weight loss."
- Jaundice: Skin and eyes turning yellow, which means liver damage is severe.
- Swelling in the legs or abdomen - Ascites, a buildup of fluid, is common in people with cirrhosis.
- If you bruise or bleed easily, it means your liver isn't making enough clotting factors.
If you have any of these signs, you should see a doctor to get an imaging and test of your liver function.
How to Fix Fatty Liver Before It's Too Late?
To stop fatty liver from getting worse, you should make changes to your lifestyle and see a doctor.
1. Eat a diet that is good for your liver. This means limiting processed foods, sweets, and refined carbs.
- Eat more fibre-rich foods, like veggies, whole grains, and legumes.
- Choose "healthy fats," like almonds, olive oil, and fatty fish.
- Stay away from sugary drinks and drink lots of water.
2. Keep your weight in a healthy range. Losing just 5 to 10 percent of your body weight will cut liver fat by a lot.
- Regular exercise, especially aerobic workouts and weight training, can help the liver work better.
3. Stay away from booze and toxins. Even small amounts of alcohol can make fatty liver worse.
- Limit your exposure to drugs and harmful chemicals in the surroundings.
4. Take care of underlying health problems:
- For diabetes, lower blood sugar.
- Keep an eye on your cholesterol and triglyceride numbers.
- Take care of metabolic syndrome to lower risk factors all around.
5. Checking your liver regularly
- ALT, AST, and bilirubin amounts in the blood can help doctors figure out how healthy is the liver.
- Ultrasonography and FibroScan are two imaging tests that can show fat and scarring in the liver.
People often think that fatty liver disease is "not serious," but if it isn't addressed, it can lead to complications that can be life-threatening. The good news? It can be undone if it is caught in time.
By recognizing the early warning signs and making proactive lifestyle changes, you can protect your liver and keep it from getting hurt permanently. If you have been told you have fatty liver, you need to move quickly because the future of your liver depends on it.