What is Fatty Liver Disease?

Fatty liver disease is a condition where excess fat builds up in the liver, potentially leading to inflammation, liver damage, or even cirrhosis over time. It is commonly associated with metabolic risk factors including obesity, hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes mellitus and high cholesterol. Additionally, smoking (tobacco use) compounds these risks by increasing stress and inflammation in the liver. Together, these factors significantly raise the likelihood of developing and worsening fatty liver disease.

Symptoms

Fatty liver disease is often asymptomatic in its early stages, meaning most individuals don’t experience noticeable symptoms. However, as the disease progresses—particularly in severe cases like cirrhosis—significant symptoms can emerge. These may include jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), abdominal swelling (ascites), and general discomfort or fatigue. These signs indicate that the liver is experiencing stress, highlighting the importance of early detection and management to prevent serious complications.

Tests & Diagnosis

Fatty liver disease is often diagnosed through blood tests that check liver enzymes and ultrasound imaging, which can detect excess fat in the liver. The FibroScan is a non-invasive test used to measure the amount of fat and scarring present within the liver. This is a component of the Liver Health Screen offered at Wilmington Gastroenterology Associates.

Treatment

The primary treatment for fatty liver disease focuses on lifestyle changes, especially weight loss through a healthy diet, regular exercise and smoking cessation, which can significantly reduce liver fat and inflammation. Losing even 5–10% of body weight has been shown to improve liver health. While lifestyle modification is the cornerstone of management, in some cases, medications may be prescribed to address underlying conditions like diabetes, high cholesterol, or to target liver inflammation directly.

Prevention

Fatty liver disease can often be prevented by maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular physical activity, smoking cessation and keeping alcohol consumption to a minimum.