| Fatty liver is a condition in which fat accumulates in | | | | Images of the liver obtained through an ultrasound |
| the liver cells. However simple fatty liver does not | | | | test, a CT scan or a magnetic resonance imaging |
| damage the liver. Fat accumulation in the liver can be | | | | (MRI) scan can diagnose a fatty liver. In an ultrasound |
| caused by weight gain or diabetes mellitus. Fatty liver | | | | test, a fatty liver produces a bright image in a ripple |
| can occur with a lean diet and ailments such as | | | | pattern. A CT scan will show a picture in which the |
| tuberculosis and intestinal bypass surgery for obesity. | | | | liver will appear less dense than normal. |
| It can also occur while certain drugs like | | | | The treatment of fatty liver is linked with the cause. |
| corticosteroids. The condition is also caused by heavy | | | | A simple fatty liver does not need treatment, |
| alcohol use. A patient is diagnosed as having a fatty | | | | because it does not damage the liver cells. |
| liver when fat makes up at least 10% of the liver. | | | | Overweight patients with fatty liver will have to |
| Fatty food does not cause a fatty liver. It is a | | | | reduce their weight. Control of diabetes also |
| common condition that is seen in people who are | | | | decreases the fat content in the liver. |
| overweight or suffer from diabetes. Explanations for | | | | Another condition that causes fat deposit in the liver |
| a fatty liver include the transfer of fat from other | | | | is the nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). But, unlike |
| parts of the body, or a spurt in the extraction of fat | | | | a simple fatty liver, it causes damage to the liver |
| presented to the liver from the intestine. Another | | | | cells. It is not linked to other causes of chronic liver |
| argument is that the fat accumulates because the | | | | disease, like hepatitis B and C viruses, autoimmune |
| liver is unable to change it into a form that can be | | | | disorders, alcohol, drug toxicity, and the accumulation |
| removed. | | | | of copper (Wilson's Disease) or iron |
| Fatty liver is diagnosed by eliminating the chances of | | | | (hemochromatosis). |
| chronic liver disease, particularly from alcohol abuse. | | | | |