Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a liver disease caused by excessive fat accumulation in the body. It is often associated with metabolic diseases such as obesity, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is common worldwide, and it is estimated that about 10% to 24% of the global population suffers from the disease. While NAFLD usually doesn't cause serious health problems right away, long-term illness increases the risk of diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cirrhosis, and liver cancer.
NAFLD is often vividly described as the "silent killer". "Silence" refers to the fact that they are generally asymptomatic early in the course of the disease, due to the lack of sensory nerves near the liver. Usually people don't feel unwell, but they are unconsciously shrouded in the haze of this "killer".
Dangers of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
1.First of all, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is harmful to the liver itself. Fatty liver disease can lead to inflammation and fibrosis of liver tissue, and in severe cases, it can develop into cirrhosis, which affects the function of the liver. If left untimely**, cirrhosis may evolve into liver cancer, which can be life-threatening.
2.Secondly, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease can also cause harm to the health of the whole body. People with fatty liver tend to be accompanied by metabolic diseases such as obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes, which can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. In addition, fatty liver can also affect insulin sensitivity, leading to insulin resistance and diabetes. Therefore, NAFLD not only poses a hazard to liver health, but also negatively affects systemic metabolic health.
3.Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease can also affect the quality of life of patients. Fatty liver may lead to abnormal liver function, fatigue, loss of appetite, indigestion and other symptoms, affecting daily life and work. In addition, fatty liver can also have an impact on the mental health of patients, increasing the risk of anxiety and depression.
How to intervene?1.Dietary control: Reduce your intake of high-calorie, high-fat, and high-sugar foods and increase your intake of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Avoid excessive intake of saturated and trans fats and choose healthy fats such as olive oil, fish oil, and nuts. Control the total calorie intake of your diet to keep your weight within a healthy range.
2.Exercise: Proper physical activity can help reduce weight, improve metabolic function, and increase the liver's ability to oxidize fats. It is recommended to do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week, such as brisk walking, swimming, or cycling.
3.Control of blood sugar and lipids: For patients with hyperglycemia or hyperlipidemia, blood sugar and lipid levels need to be actively controlled. This includes controlling blood sugar and lipid levels through diet, exercise, and medications** to reduce damage to the liver.
4.Quit smoking and limit alcohol: Both smoking and alcohol can cause damage to the liver, so it is necessary to quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption. Smoking and drinking alcohol not only aggravate fatty liver disease, but also increase the risk of liver cancer and other liver diseases.
5.Medications: For people with severe non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, doctors may consider medications to help reduce the severity of fatty liver disease. These medications include insulin sensitizers, insulin resistance, and other medications, but they need to be used under the guidance of a doctor.