Fatty Liver Disease

Fatty (steatotic) liver disease is a condition in which fat builds up in the liver. Fatty liver disease is divided into two types:

• Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
• Alcoholic fatty liver disease (also called alcoholic steatohepatitis)

The exact cause of fatty liver disease is not known but it is often associated with the following factors: 

• Body mass index (BMI) over 27
• Frequent alcohol use
• Metabolic syndrome (insulin resistance, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high triglyceride levels)
• Type 2 diabetes 
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
• Certain prescription medications, such as amiodarone (Cordarone®), diltiazem (Cardizem®), tamoxifen (Nolvadex®), or steroids

Fatty liver disease is often referred to as the “silent” liver disease. You might have fat accumulating in your liver but won’t know it. If you do have symptoms, you may feel tired or have discomfort in the upper right side of your abdomen.

There’s no specific treatment or medications for fatty liver disease. Instead, your doctor will focus on lifestyle changes that can improve your health. Your provider may recommend that you:

• Avoid alcohol
• Lose weight
• Exercise 
• Eat a healthy diet
• Manage metabolic conditions (diabetes, cholesterol, triglycerides, etc.)
• Change prescriptions if your medicine is causing fat to accumulate in your liver