The Cleveland Clinic defines fatty liver as a liver with 5 to 10 percent of its weight in fat. Fatty liver can develop from alcohol abuse, certain medications or medical conditions, such as diabetes. Making some lifestyle changes can treat fatty liver. Penn State's Milton S. Hershey Medical Center points out that leaving fatty liver untreated can result in liver damage.
Symptoms
The Merck Manual Home Edition notes that fatty liver usually does not produce symptoms. The liver becomes enlarged, which a doctor can detect during an examination. Some patients may have abdominal discomfort or fatigue. The Cleveland Clinic points out that when patients have advanced fatty liver, they start having symptoms such as mental confusion, weight loss and weakness.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing fatty liver involves blood tests, which will rule out other liver diseases, such as viral hepatitis. A blood test can reveal if the liver has become inflamed, as an inflamed fatty liver can lead to scarring. The Merck Manual Home Edition explains that scans, such as an ultrasonograph, MRI or CT scan, can show the excess fat. A doctor will perform a biopsy, which involves extracting a sample of the liver tissue for testing, to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment
Treatment for fatty liver involves eliminating the cause of the fat accumulation. For example, if diabetes caused the fatty liver, patients need to control their blood sugar levels. The Cleveland Clinic recommends losing weight at a rate of one to two pounds a week if the cause is obesity. Eating a healthy diet and regular exercise can also help. If alcohol abuse is the problem, abstaining can treat fatty liver. The Merck Manual Home Edition points out that the condition can go away within six weeks after stopping alcohol consumption. If a drug caused the fat accumulation, the doctor will alter the dosage or put the patient on another medication.
Complications
Untreated fatty liver can lead to more serious health problems. For example, the Cleveland Clinic notes that cirrhosis can develop, a condition in which scar tissue forms in the liver. That scar tissue affects the liver's function. Penn State's Milton S. Hershey Medical Center adds that if cirrhosis develops, patients may require a liver transplant.
Prevention
A healthy lifestyle can help prevent fatty liver. Since some pregnant women develop fatty liver, good prenatal care will allow for monitoring and can prevent the condition from becoming problematic. Penn State's Milton S. Hershey Medical Center notes that parents can prevent fatty liver in their children by not giving them aspirin, as aspirin use in children can lead to Reye's syndrome, a cause of fatty liver.
