Fatty liver, as defined by the Merck Manuals Online Medical Library, is a condition where fats accumulate inside the liver cells due to a variety of causes: alcoholism, obesity, diabetes and certain drugs and toxins. Broadly, fatty liver, or steatosis, is classified as alcoholic and non alcohol-related. While excess fat accumulation in and of itself might not be a problem, it might point at an underlying disease--such as insulin resistance or hypertriglyceridaemia, or excessive triglycerides in the blood. It may progress into various troublesome complications.
Inflammation
As pointed out by the Merck Manuals Online Medical Library, fatty liver may or may not be associated with inflammation of the liver cells. The excess accumulation of fat may be harmless; but in rare instances, the accumulated fats irritate the liver cells' cell membrane causing liver inflammation. The American College of Gastroenterology estimates that nonalcoholic fatty liver disease affects up to 20 percent of the adult population, while inflammation only occurs in a small minority of those affected.
Scarring
The American College Of Gastroenterology explains that prolonged inflammation of the liver cells may cause scarring and excess fibrous tissue deposition, or fibrosis. Liver fibrosis may progress into cirrhosis, where the liver functions may be severely impaired for life and liver failure may ensure. The American College of Gastroenterology identifies nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) as one of the most rapidly rising reasons for liver transplantation in the Unites States. Thankfully, the American College Of Gastroenterology asserts that in many instances when patients control their weight and improve their insulin resistance, the scarring abates and the disease progression is halted.
Hepatic Insufficiency
According to Merck Manuals Online Medical Library, minimal impairment in liver functions may occur as a symptom of the fatty liver disease itself. This would be manifested as a general feeling of fatigue, malaise and a slight abnormality of liver functions. If the hepatic impairment progresses, patients may suffer from full-blown liver failure. This places the patient at a risk of excessive bleeding, due to a decrease of the production of coagulation factors by the liver. The patient will also suffer from, as listed by MayoClinic.com, yellowish discoloration of the skin, dark urine, loss of appetite and a continuous feeling of nausea, abdominal enlargement and possibly abdominal pain.
