Fatty Liver Prognosis

Fatty liver disease is characterized by an accumulation of triglycerides, a type of fat within the liver cells. This may not cause any symptoms or may leave patients feeling fatigued and with mild stomach distress. The treatment and prognosis are largely dependent upon the underlying cause of the condition.

Causes

• The most common causes of fatty liver disease in the United States are alcoholism, exposure to toxins, drugs and metabolic conditions (such as insulin resistance).

General Prognosis

• In and of itself, fatty liver disease does not pose a serious health problem. Having increased fat in your liver cells is not normal, but does generally cause further damage to the liver.

Complications

• If fatty liver disease is causing inflammation, however, there are serious consequences to leaving the condition untreated. Inflammation of the liver can lead to scarring (fibrosis), cirrhosis and irreversible liver damage.

Serious Forms Of Fatty Liver Disease

• Other forms of fatty liver disease, specifically non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and alcoholic steatohepatitis, can create substantial liver damage if left untreated. This may lead to cirrhosis of the liver (characterized by severe scarring) and liver failure.

Treatment

• Treatment largely depends on the underlying cause. For example, if alcohol is causing your fatty liver, refraining from any alcohol consumption can usually reverse the condition and cause the fat to dissipate within approximately six weeks.