Fatty liver can go away in many cases, but it depends on the cause and severity of the condition. Fatty liver disease is a condition where too much fat accumulates in the liver. The most common causes are alcohol consumption and obesity, but it can also be caused by certain medications, viruses, or genetic disorders. If the condition is caused by alcohol consumption, stopping or reducing alcohol intake can help reverse the condition. In this case, fatty liver can go away completely if caught early enough and alcohol use is stopped. If the condition is caused by obesity or a poor diet, weight loss and dietary changes can help reverse the condition. In some cases, fatty liver can go away completely with weight loss and lifestyle changes. However, if fatty liver is caused by a virus or medication, treatment for the underlying condition is necessary. In some cases, fatty liver can progress to a more severe form of liver disease called nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which can cause liver damage and scarring that may not be reversible. It is important to see a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment of fatty liver disease. They can provide individualized recommendations for treatment and monitoring to ensure the best possible outcome.
Types of fatty liver disease.
Health care providers divide fatty liver disease into two types. If you just have fat but no damage to your liver, the disease is called nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). If you have fat in your liver plus signs of inflammation and liver cell damage, the disease is called nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).
Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (ALD)
As the name suggests, chronic alcohol consumption or alcohol abuse leads to alcoholic fatty liver disease. Since your liver and kidneys are your body’s primary detoxifying systems, they take the most hit from alcohol dependence. In addition, long-term alcohol consumption weakens liver cells, which causes extensive inflammation and impairs the liver’s ability to function normally. ALD can cause nausea, vomiting, fever, jaundice, abdominal discomfort, and alcoholic cirrhosis. Cirrhosis is the accumulation of liver fibrosis, or scar tissue, which ultimately results in liver failure that can be fatal. A person has a higher chance of recovery in each stage if they refrain from drinking alcohol.
Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)
A more comprehensive range of factors, like fatty buildup from a poor diet, inactivity, genetic susceptibility, or health disorders connected to metabolic syndrome like obesity and type 2 diabetes, can contribute to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. It can be challenging to reverse non-alcoholic fatty liver disease since there are many potential reasons, with no one more or less relevant than the others. However, patients with NAFLD must reduce their general body weight, eliminate excess body fat, and enhance their insulin sensitivity and blood sugar regulation. The most extreme variation of NAFLD is non-alcoholic steatohepatitis or NASH. Like an alcoholic fatty liver disease, NASH increases the risk of fatality by exposing one to cardiovascular diseases and develops into fibrosis (liver tissue scarring), cirrhosis, liver cancer, or liver failure. It can also cause early death if one fails to receive a timely liver transplant.
Symptoms
Fatty liver disease is sometimes called a silent liver disease. This is because it can happen without causing any symptoms. Most people with NAFLD live with fat in their liver without developing liver damage. A few people who have fat in their liver develop NASH. If you have NASH, you may have symptoms that could take years for them to develop. If liver damage from NASH leads to permanent scarring and hardening of your liver, this is called cirrhosis.
Symptoms from NASH may include:
- Severe tiredness
- Weakness
- Weight loss
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes
- Spiderlike blood vessels on the skin
- Long-lasting itching
NASH that turns into cirrhosis could cause symptoms like fluid retention, internal bleeding, muscle wasting, and confusion. People with cirrhosis over time may develop liver failure and need a liver transplant.
Diagnosis.
Fatty liver disease can happen without causing any symptoms. It’s usually diagnosed when you have routine blood tests to check your liver. Your health care provider may suspect fatty liver disease with abnormal test results, especially if you are obese. Imaging studies of your liver may show fat deposits. Some imaging tests, including special ultrasound and MRI scans can help diagnose the disease and spot scar tissue in the liver. But the only way to be certain that fatty liver disease is the only cause of liver damage is with a liver biopsy. A liver biopsy involves getting a tissue sample of your liver with a needle. The needle removes a small piece of liver tissue that can be looked at under a microscope. Here’s how your health care provider makes the diagnosis:
- If you have fat but no inflammation or tissue damage, the diagnosis is NAFLD.
- If you have fat, inflammation, and liver damage, the diagnosis is NASH.
- If you have a type of scar tissue in your liver called fibrosis, you may be developing cirrhosis.
Some ways that fatty liver can go away.
Here are some ways that fatty liver can go away:
- Lifestyle changes: For those with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the most common cause is obesity and a poor diet. Losing weight, increasing physical activity, and eating a healthy diet can help reverse the condition.
- Alcohol abstinence: If the condition is caused by excessive alcohol consumption, stopping or reducing alcohol use can help reverse the condition. In this case, fatty liver can go away completely if caught early enough and alcohol use is stopped.
- Medications: For those with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a more severe form of the disease, medications may be prescribed to help reduce inflammation and prevent further liver damage.
- Treating underlying conditions: If fatty liver is caused by a virus or medication, treating the underlying condition is necessary.
How long does it take to reverse a fatty liver?
How long it takes for a compromised liver to return to normal depends on your condition, diet, adherence to treatment, age, and genetics. However, on an average, it is possible to reverse fatty liver in as little as six weeks. Sometimes, an otherwise healthy person can attain a complete reversal of fatty liver in under two months. Alcoholic hepatitis progressed from alcoholic fatty liver disease is reversible, but there are chances of leftover damage. The recovery period will depend on the severity of your alcohol dependence. It will take at least six months of alcohol abstinence to recover. Sometimes, a liver transplant is necessary to reverse or treat the disease effectively. In other cases, anti-inflammatory medications, steroids, and cholesterol medication can help reverse the effects in about nine months to 1 year.
Ways to Reverse Fatty Liver.
Diet
The fatty liver diet eliminates refined carbohydrates, artificial flavours, and processed sweeteners like fructose. Instead, it favours a diet low in carbohydrates made up of foods like whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, as well as fish, nuts, and seeds that consist of omega-3 fatty acids that assist you in controlling levels of inflammation. Abstaining from consuming alcohol is also crucial in reversing alcohol-induced fatty liver disease.
Medication
There are no medicines prescribed particularly to treat NAFLD. However, your doctor may suggest some drugs and supplements based on your medical conditions. For prevention against hepatitis A and B, which might harm your liver, you might require vaccinations. Additionally, it’s critical to receive an annual flu shot. Natural supplements may be better than medicines that increase the burden on the liver when treating fatty liver, but be sure to see your doctor before taking any new supplement. You can take amino acids, turmeric, milk thistle, and vitamin E.
Rest
Studies show that stress worsens inflammation in the body resulting in increased adverse effects of fatty liver. Rest involves obtaining regular, high-quality sleep and prioritising stress-relieving activities, such as yoga in the morning, watching movies with friends or doing fun things with your kids on the weekends. Taking charge of your schedule to make time for relaxing activities can help lessen inflammation in the body just as much as taking supplements or medications.
Reversing fatty liver disease before it results in chronic and irreparable liver damage could prevent fatal health events. Remember that a complete reversal of fatty liver disease for an otherwise healthy person falls between six weeks to two months. Maintaining a healthy liver is crucial even if you do not currently experience issues with liver function. A healthier lifestyle will not only help you lose weight from your liver, but it will also enhance your general well-being. In addition, it may minimise the risk of developing fatty liver and other obesity-related diseases.
