Introduction: Fatty liver is a term used to define a condition in which too much fat is stored in the liver. Some fat in the liver is normal but if it makes up more than 5%-10% of the organ's weight, it may lead to a condition known as fatty liver disease.
In people who drink little or no alcohol, the condition is sometimes known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Causes: It's not clear what causes fatty liver disease but it may run in families.
It's also more likely to happen to those who are middle-aged and overweight or obese. People like that often have high cholesterol and diabetes as well.
Other causes are:
It's also more likely to happen to those who are middle-aged and overweight or obese. People like that often have high cholesterol and diabetes as well.
Other causes are:
- Medications (steroids, tamoxifen, methotrexate)
- Viral hepatitis
- Autoimmune or inherited liver disease
- Fast weight loss
- Malnutrition
Risk Factors : A wide range of diseases and conditions can increase the risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, including:
- High cholesterol
- High levels of triglycerides in the blood
- Metabolic syndrome
- Obesity, particularly when fat is concentrated in the abdomen
- Polycystic ovary syndrome
- Sleep apnea
- Type 2 diabetes
- Under active thyroid (hypothyroidism)
- Under active pituitary gland (hypopituitarism)
