What Are the Treatments for Fatty Liver Disease?

Fatty liver disease is a condition in which fat begins to accumulate in liver cells. If the weight of a person's liver is more than 10 percent fat, it is considered a fatty liver. In some people, a fatty liver causes no damage, but in others it can cause inflammation that leads to liver damage. People with fatty liver disease typically experience no symptoms and learn of the condition only through diagnostic tests performed for other reasons. There are several known causes for fatty liver disease, including alcohol abuse, obesity, high triglyceride levels and diabetes, but some people develop the condition for no known reason. Treatment is generally aimed at controlling the risk factors that may have caused the condition.

Weight Loss

• People who are obese who have fatty liver disease can start a weight-loss program to help treat fatty liver disease. Fat begins to accumulate when extra calories are consumed, so eating a lower-calorie diet and burning calories through exercise can help.

Avoiding Alcohol

• People who develop fatty liver disease can see improvement in the condition if they stop consuming alcohol. If alcoholics continue to drink excessively, they could develop cirrhosis, an irreversible liver condition that leads to liver failure.

Eat Right

• People with high triglycerides can try a cholesterol-friendly diet to try and bring levels down, thereby treating fatty liver disease. Prescription medications can also help bring triglyceride levels into a healthy range.

Diabetes Control

• Diabetics with fatty liver disease need to control their illness as best they can. The most important thing diabetics can do is regularly monitor blood-sugar levels, because insulin resistance can contribute to the development of fatty liver disease.

Healthy Lifestyle

• No matter what the contributing factors to a person's fatty liver disease, living a healthy lifestyle can do a lot of good in treating the condition or preventing it from becoming worse. Eating healthy, getting plenty of exercise, getting enough rest and taking care of yourself can go a long way in helping people with fatty liver disease.