Understanding Fatty Liver Disease
You may not feel it. You may not even know it’s there. But for nearly 1 in 3 Americans, fatty liver disease is quietly developing, often without a single symptom. For something so common, it’s surprisingly misunderstood.
“Fatty liver is essentially the buildup of fat in the liver, which normally has little to no fat at all,” explained Nathan Shores, MD, a gastroenterologist with Charleston GI. “When it becomes infiltrated with fat, the liver takes on a yellow, greasy appearance, and that can be the catalyst for more serious health problems.”
Types of Fatty Liver Disease
There are two primary types of fatty liver disease: alcoholic and nonalcoholic. While both can lead to serious complications, the nonalcoholic form is more common. “Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease probably affects around 30% of the U.S. population,” said Dr. Shores. “Alcoholic fatty liver is serious but much less common, affecting only about 5% of Americans.”
The Silent Progression and Health Risks
Left unchecked, fatty liver can spark inflammation and scarring in the liver that can eventually lead to cirrhosis, an irreversible condition that may require a liver transplant. What makes it all the more dangerous is how quietly it progresses.
“Unfortunately, fatty liver usually doesn’t cause symptoms until it’s advanced,” Dr. Shores noted. “By the time someone experiences fatigue, swelling, mental confusion, jaundice or even internal bleeding, the condition has worsened to cirrhosis.”
The most common culprit is carrying excess weight. “Being overweight is the biggest risk factor,” Dr. Shores emphasized. “Certain racial and ethnic groups like Native Americans, Hispanic Americans and Asian Americans are more likely to develop fatty liver even with modest weight gain.”
Other conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol or triglycerides also raise your risk. Though less common, individuals can develop fatty liver even if they are at a normal body weight and don’t drink alcohol.
Treatment and Reversal
The good news is that fatty liver disease is often reversible, especially if it is caught early. “Weight loss is still the most effective treatment,” Dr. Shores explained. “In some cases, weight loss surgery may be appropriate. Recently, the FDA has approved medications like Rezdiffra that directly reverse liver fat.”
Developments in weight-loss injectables such as tirzepatide and semaglutide – better known by brand names like Mounjaro and Ozempic – also show promising results in reversing fatty liver.
Diagnosis and Early Detection
So how do you know if you have it before symptoms appear? “Most people find out they have fatty liver after routine blood work shows mildly abnormal liver function in tests like AST or ALT levels,” Dr. Shores said. “Sometimes it’s discovered by accident during an ultrasound for abdominal pain or gallbladder issues.”
Fortunately, newer imaging techniques can now go even further, assessing whether scar tissue is starting to form long before symptoms arise.
Why Early Awareness Matters
“Fatty liver is often your body’s way of signaling that your weight may be out of balance for your height,” Dr. Shores said. “It’s also a warning light for other serious conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease.”
The key, he insisted, is early awareness. “We have better tools than ever to diagnose and treat fatty liver. Now is the time to talk with your doctor. We can do more than we ever could before, and catching it early makes all the difference.”
Next Steps
If you think you may have fatty liver disease, contact Charleston GI at charlestongi.com or call 843-722-8000 to schedule a visit and begin your journey to better health.
By Anne Toole
