Warning signs of fatty liver need immediate medical attention

Signs of fatty liver are often silent and difficult to detect - Illustration: HA QUAN

Dr. Vu Truong Khanh, Tam Anh General Hospital, Hanoi, said that fatty liver is a condition of fat accumulation in liver cells. Fatty liver that causes inflammation in the liver is called fatty liver disease.

In the early stages, fatty liver disease often does not affect liver function much, but over time, the disease will become increasingly serious and lead to many dangerous complications.

Important warning signs

According to Dr. Nguyen Xuan Tuan (lecturer at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hanoi National University), there are many causes of fatty liver, but the most common is alcohol. People who regularly consume alcohol can lead to fatty liver.

When consuming these drinks, liver function will be impaired, limiting the ability to synthesize lipoprotein, increasing the risk of fat accumulation in the liver, leading to fatty liver.

Or due to some other reasons such as: overweight, obesity; due to some diseases or side effects of some drugs or using drugs incorrectly.

You should see a doctor early if you have the following warning signs:

- Fatty liver causes obesity: Obesity is the biggest risk factor for fatty liver disease, research shows that obesity increases the risk of fatty liver by up to 75%. Eating healthy and exercising regularly are good ways to lose excess weight or obesity, helping to reduce the risk of fatty liver disease.

- Changes in urine color : Normally, urine is light yellow, but urine in people with liver problems is unusually dark, even though they drink enough water every day.

- Causes diabetes : Diabetes increases the risk of fatty liver disease. It can be difficult for diabetics to recognize symptoms associated with liver disease, so a liver ultrasound is necessary to help make a proper diagnosis.

- Fatigue: Fatigue is a common symptom that can be associated with a variety of medical conditions. It is important to pay attention to other symptoms that accompany fatigue to detect fatty liver disease early.

- High blood cholesterol levels : High cholesterol levels indicate a high risk of heart disease, but are also a sign of fatty liver. It is important to cut cholesterol-rich foods from your daily diet.

A healthy diet will prevent many diseases, including fatty liver - Illustration: LAM THIEN

Dangerous complications

According to Dr. Khanh, fatty liver is a chronic disease, progressing severely, with unclear symptoms. Some patients have symptoms such as fatigue and abdominal pain, but due to subjectivity, they do not seek active treatment. Many patients, even though they discover they have fatty liver, are still subjective and take examination and treatment lightly.

In fact, fatty liver can be cured in the early stages. If not controlled, fatty liver will develop to the later stages, causing serious damage to liver function, leading to a series of complications.

Fatty liver disease can lead to many complications or be a consequence of other diseases such as diabetes, obesity, high blood fat, blood pressure... affecting many functions of the body.

Over time, complications of fatty liver such as hepatitis will lead to liver cell destruction, eventually leading to cirrhosis and, more seriously, the risk of developing liver cancer.

Treatment of liver cancer depends on the severity of the disease and the patient's health condition. If liver cancer caused by fatty liver is detected early, the rate of effective treatment will be quite high.

Dr. Khanh noted that regular health check-ups are a solution for disease screening, management, and prevention, through which doctors can provide appropriate treatment regimens for each patient's condition. Changing to a healthier and more scientific lifestyle can help reverse most stages of fatty liver disease.

Dr. Dinh Minh Tri (Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy) advises that to prevent fatty liver disease, some notes should be taken:

- Do not drink alcohol or if you do, drink in moderation: Drinking too much alcohol is not only harmful to the liver but also causes many other diseases.

- When taking medication, follow your doctor's instructions. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking certain medications that are metabolized in the liver to reduce the risk of liver damage.

- Protect your body and get vaccinated to avoid getting infected with hepatitis viruses.

- Choose healthy foods such as vegetables, grains and fruits, foods that contain healthy fats.

- Maintain a reasonable weight. If you are overweight, you should have a scientific weight loss plan by having a healthy diet and exercising regularly to avoid harming your health.

- Regular physical activity and exercise to improve health and prevent the risk of fatty liver disease.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/dau-hieu-canh-bao-gan-nhiem-mo-can-di-kham-ngay-2024052221245513.htm