Types Of Fatty Liver Diseases

The fatty liver disease as the term suggests is the accumulation of excess fat in the liver of an
individual. Although, having some amount of fat in the liver is a perfectly normal scenario any
excess over 5 to 10% fat is a cause for concern. Also, accumulation of fat isnt an irreversible
condition therefore so long as it is detected and appropriate measures taken, the condition
doesnt degenerate into a disease.
Excess fat in the liver can also cause liver enlargement and interferes with liver functioning. The
fatty liver disease can be classified into four types given below:
1. Non-alcoholic fatty liver
The basic function of the liver is to be breakdown food and aid the digestive and metabolic
activities of the body. There are possibilities, however, wherein the liver loses this
capability and thereby begins accumulating fats. Fat content in excess of 10% of the
overall liver weight is a condition termed non-alcoholic fatty liver.
2. Alcoholic fatty liver
Excessive and unregulated consumption of alcohol is one of the primary factors that cause
liver abnormalities. Non-alcoholic fatty liver is the first stage of alcohol-related liver
conditions wherein there is considerable liver damage due to excessive drinking causing
the liver to lose its ability to breakdown fats in the food. As a consequence fats accumulate
in the liver. The condition, however, is yet reversible so long as alcohol consumption is
stopped. Further consumption of alcohol gives scope for cirrhosis to set in and cause
irreversible damage.
3. Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis
Similar to alcoholic fatty liver disease, the nonalcoholic steatohepatitis is a silent liver
condition that affects people despite having no alcohol-related abuse. Alongside the
accumulation of fat in the liver, there is also inflammation and liver damage, which
unchecked can lead to cirrhosis. Primarily there is few or no symptom of nonalcoholic
steatohepatitis during the early stages. However, gradually patients begin to experience
fatigue, weight loss, and weakness. This condition can possibly worsen into scarring and
hardening of the liver.
4. Acute fatty liver of pregnancy:
This is a condition that can set in the final trimester of a womens pregnancy. Although,
the incidence of this disease is rather low, at 1 in every 20,000 pregnancies, the condition
is potentially fatal. Acute fatty liver of pregnancy can cause rapid liver and kidney failure
posing life-threat for both mother and baby if proper diagnosis is not made available at

the right time. The early systems include persistent nausea and vomiting, pain in the
upper-right abdomen, jaundice, and general sickness.