Fatty liver, also known as Steatotic Liver Disease (SLD), is a medical condition caused by steatosis in the liver.
Steatotic is the accumulation of fat on your liver, leading to inflammation and liver damage if the fat reaches up to five percent of your liver’s weight. It is commonly caused by unhealthy lifestyles, excessive alcohol consumption, obesity, etc.
Fatty liver as per gastro specialist at hospital in Delhi, is classified into three grades, which are as follows:
- Fatty Liver Grade 1: This is the first stage of fatty liver, commonly recognized as mild fatty liver. This stage is usually not fatal and is followed by mild fat accumulation of fat on the liver, with no inflammation or liver damage.
- Fatty Liver Grade 2: Fatty liver Grade 2 is also known as moderate fatty liver. It is a condition when 34-35 percent of your liver is accumulated with fat. It results in inflammation and disrupts the normal functioning of the liver.
- Fatty liver Grade 3: Fatty liver Grade 3 is the most severe and last stage of Fatty Liver. It is a condition when your entire liver accumulates with fat, resulting in severe inflammation, and can lead to liver cirrhosis or even liver failure.
What is Fatty Liver Grade 2?
Fatty liver grade 2 is often considered the moderate stage of fatty liver. It is a concerning condition, yet curable if correct measures are taken. Hepatic Steatosis of Grade 2 fatty liver is mainly caused when your liver accumulates unhealthy fat, which covers 35-50 percent of the liver weight. It causes inflammation of the liver and damages the liver cells.
Fatty liver of this grade is generally classified into two types:
- Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (AFLD): This is caused by excessive alcohol consumption, which builds up fat and leads to inflammation of the liver.
- Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD): This leads to the formation of fat accumulation in the liver due to metabolic reasons like obesity, unhealthy lifestyle, or diabetes.
Symptoms of Fatty Liver Grade 2
The symptoms of Fatty liver 2 or Hepatic Steatosis are as follows:
- Fatigue or persistent tiredness that hampers day-to-day activities.
- Acute pain in the lower abdomen, near the liver.
- Loss of appetite
- Yellowish eyes and skin leading to jaundice.
- Nausea
Is Fatty Liver Grade 2 Dangerous?
Grade 2 Fatty Liver is usually the moderate stage and is curable; however, it might progress to grade 3 fatty liver if the symptoms are not taken seriously.
If you do not consult a gastro doctor, fatty liver grade 2 can result in the following conditions:
- Decreased Liver Function: The liver becomes weak, and normal activities like detoxification and metabolism get disrupted.
- Liver Failure: Severe accumulation of fat damages the liver cells and results in life-threatening situations, like permanent liver failure of the liver.
- Cirrhosis: It is a severe condition that causes scarring of the liver due to excessive fat consumption, sometimes leading to permanent failure.
- Liver Cancer: Due to chronic liver damage, liver cells might develop cancerous cells, which is a life-threatening condition.
- Hepatitis: Excessive inflammation of the liver causes chronic liver damage or intensifies the injury to the liver.
- Fibrosis: It is also caused due to excessive scarring of the liver that disturbs the healthy functioning of the liver. It is a stage before cirrhosis, which is less fatal but gradually worsens if left untreated.
Treatment of Fatty Liver Grade 2
There is no specific treatment option for specific Fatty liver Grades. However, certain lifestyle and activity modifications can help improve and regulate it.
Some fatty liver grade 2 treatment options are as follows:
- Medication: Certain medications can be prescribed by gastroenterologists, including amino acids, vitamin E, lecithin, and choline. You can take supplements like Milk Thistle or N-acetyl Cysteine, which boosts liver function.
- Weight Management: Fatty liver can be caused due to obesity. Maintaining a healthy weight can reduce inflammation, and scarring of the liver. Regular exercise and mild exercise can help to reduce weight.
- Lifestyle Changes: Avoid or reduce the consumption of alcohol and smoking to prevent liver damage. Engage yourself in physical activities like walking, cycling, and yoga.
- Regular monitoring: You should regularly visit your gastroenterologist for periodic checkups and tests to detect any progression of fatty liver. Regular monitoring can help to recognize the symptoms and follow the correct treatment plan.
Diet Plan for Fatty Liver by Gastro specialist Vikas Puri
Fatty liver Grade 2 can be cured with a proper diet plan. Proper nutrients like vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants can significantly improve liver function and reduce scarring and inflammation. Doctors and dietitians recommend a proper fatty liver diet that includes the following:
- Adding low-sugar fruits like apples, berries, papaya, and guava are rich in fiber, antioxidants, and vitamin C and help detoxify the liver.
- Consuming whole grains like brown rice, quinoa, oats, and barley helps reduce fat build-up, manage cholesterol, and improve liver function.
- Vegetables like broccoli, beetroot, cauliflower, and carrot effectively reduce inflammation, improve liver enzymes, and are packed with antioxidants that detoxify the liver.
- Include healthy fats in your diet, like flaxseeds, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, almonds, walnuts, and olive oil, which are rich in omega-3.
- Drinks like green tea, amla juice, and lemon help to reduce swelling, flush out toxins, and improve overall liver health.
Almost 40 percent of Indians are diagnosed with Fatty liver, which is caused due to metabolic reasons or due to excessive alcoholism. However, Fatty Liver grade 2 is curable with a strategic treatment plan and a healthy lifestyle.
If you are concerned about the treatment option or diet plan, you can check the best gastroenterologist in Delhi and ask for a consultation.
UK Nursing Home has one of the most experienced and best gastroenterologists in Delhi, who offers a personalised treatment plan according to your situation, so book your consultation today!
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