HealthInfo Canterbury
Fatty liver disease
Fatty liver disease is a condition that happens when fat builds up in the cells of your liver. It's very common but most people only have a mild form that doesn’t usually cause long-term problems.
There are two types of fatty liver disease:
- alcohol-related fatty liver disease
- non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
Fatty liver disease can lead to inflammation, which if it gets worse can cause scarring and eventually cirrhosis (severe scarring) or liver failure. People with fatty liver are also more prone to problems such as diabetes, heart attacks and strokes.
Causes of fatty liver disease
Alcohol-related fatty liver disease
Drinking too much alcohol is the main cause of alcohol-related fatty liver disease. Drinking a large amount of alcohol, even for just a few days, can lead to a build-up of fats in your liver.
NAFLD
You're more likely to get NAFLD if you:
- are an unhealthy weight – particularly if you have a lot of fat around your waist
- have type 2 diabetes
- have high blood pressure
- have high cholesterol
- are over the age of 50
- smoke.
Symptoms of fatty liver disease
Alcohol-related fatty liver disease doesn't usually cause any symptoms until your liver has been badly damaged and you have cirrhosis or liver failure.
Most people with NAFLD don’t have any symptoms but some people may:
- have pain or discomfort on the right side of their tummy, just under their ribs
- feel unwell and really tired.
Diagnosing fatty liver disease
You might only find out that you have a problem with your liver when you have a routine medical test or a test for another condition. This might include a blood test, a FibroScan, an ultrasound scan of your liver or a liver biopsy.
Treating fatty liver disease
There's no specific medical treatment for alcohol-related fatty liver disease. The main treatment is to stop drinking alcohol. You may also be referred to a dietitian to review what you eat. This is because people who drink heavily often don't eat properly and need advice and support to eat well. You may also be prescribed vitamin supplements for a while.
There aren't any specific treatments for NAFLD, but your doctor will recommend treating any medical conditions you may have because of your fatty liver. Also, there are several lifestyle measures that can stop it from getting worse.
HealthInfo recommends the following pages
- NHS – Alcohol-related liver disease
This page has information about the liver damage caused by drinking a lot of alcohol. It includes the symptoms and stages of the disease and treatment.
- Patient.info – Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
This page has detailed information about non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
On the next page: Self-care for NAFLD
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed July 2021.
Review key: HILIV-52878
