How serious is it if one has a fatty liver.?
478934
I see this frequently on abdominal ultrasounds.\n\n"Many chemicals, such as alcohol and drugs can cause fatty liver.  Fatty liver can occur in diabetes mellitus and in pregnancy. It can also be seen in starvation and obesity. In addition, it is also a minor symptom of hepatitis.  The treatment of fatty liver depends on what is causing it, and generally, treating the underlying cause will remove the problem."\n\nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fatty_liver\n\n"Fatty liver is usually reversible if recognized and treated. There may be some long-term tendency toward other types of liver problems depending on how long and how severe the fatty liver condition was. Severe liver damage that may require a liver transplant can occur in the mother if the condition is not recognized early."\n\nhttp://www.healthatoz.com/healthatoz/Atoz/ency/fatty_liver.jsp
803192
I hate to state the obvious, but your liver is swollen, and therefore enlarged. The good news is that the liver is quite  efficient at self repair. Follow docs orders, boring as they may be and you should be fine soon.\n\nTake care.
1058242
I don't think it's real serious, my son had an enlarged spleen when he had mono. He had to take it easy- no contact sports etc. I think you have to figure out why it is enlarged.
764711
Here is a bunch of information for you- D\nFatty liver is an excessive accumulation of a type of fat (triglyceride) inside the liver cells. \nIn the United States and other Western countries, the most common causes of fatty liver are alcoholism, obesity, diabetes, and elevated serum triglyceride levels. Other causes include malnutrition, hereditary disorders of metabolism (such as the glycogen storage diseases (see Muscular Dystrophy and Related Disorders: Introduction and Hereditary Metabolic Disorders: Glycogen Storage Diseases), and drugs (such as corticosteroids, tetracyclineSome Trade Names \nACHROMYCIN V\nTETRACYN\nSUMYCIN\n, and aspirinSome Trade Names \nECOTRIN\nASPERGUM\n). The mechanism by which these diseases or factors cause fat to accumulate within liver cells is not known. Simply eating a high-fat diet, for example, does not produce a fatty liver. One possible explanation is that these diseases or factors slow the rate at which fat is processed (metabolized) and excreted by the body. The resulting buildup of fat within the body, according to this theory, is then stored inside the liver cells.\n\nSometimes the cause of fatty liver is not clear, especially when it occurs in newborns; however, it is likely to be a defect in the mitochondria of the liver cells.\n\nIn some people, a fatty liver not due to alcohol abuse or drugs and toxins but associated with obesity, diabetes mellitus, and raised serum triglycerides will progress to scarring (fibrosis) and cirrhosis, possibly because of underlying inflammation. This type of fatty liver is sometimes referred to as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.\n  \nKnown Causes of Fatty Liver \n\nObesity \nDiabetes \nChemicals and drugs (such as alcohol, corticosteroids, tetracyclines, valproate, methotrexate, carbon tetrachloride, and yellow phosphorus) \nMalnutrition and a low-protein diet \nPregnancy \nVitamin A toxicity \nBypass surgery of the small intestine \nCystic fibrosis (most likely accompanied by malnutrition) \nHereditary defects in glycogen, galactose, tyrosine, or homocystine metabolism \nMedium-chain aryl dehydrogenase deficiency \nCholesterol esterase deficiency \nPhytanic acid storage disease (Refsum's disease) \nAbetalipoproteinemia \nReye's syndrome \n\nSymptoms and Diagnosis\n\nFatty liver usually produces no symptoms. In rare cases, however, it results in jaundice (a yellowish discoloration of the skin and the whites of the eyes), nausea, vomiting, pain, and abdominal tenderness.\n\nA physical examination that reveals an enlarged liver without any other symptoms suggests fatty liver. Liver function tests are also performed to determine if there is a liver abnormality, such as inflammation (see Liver Function Tests), which sometimes accompanies the extra fat in the liver cells and can be associated with the development of cirrhosis in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Excess fat in the liver can be detected on abdominal ultrasound. The diagnosis may be confirmed by a liver biopsy, in which a doctor inserts a long hollow needle through the skin to obtain a small piece of liver tissue for examination under a microscope (see Diagnostic Tests for Liver and Gallbladder Disorders: Biopsy of the Liver).\n\nPrognosis and Treatment\n\nAlthough excessive fat in the liver may not in itself be a serious problem (the fat can disappear, for example, if the person stops drinking), its underlying cause might be. For example, repeated liver injury from toxic substances such as alcohol may eventually progress from fatty liver to cirrhosis (severe scarring of the liver). Therefore, treatment of fatty liver aims at minimizing or eliminating the underlying cause of the disorder.\n\nLast reviewed/revised February 1, 2003\n  \n  \n Liver Degenerative Disease\n\nWhen compared to other health conditions, it is striking how little attention is given to diseases of the liver, particularly considering the rising level of concern about health and health-related environmental issues. Hepato
952820
fatty changes in liver can be benign, alcohol or medication side effect, stay in touch with your doctor, get frequent liver enzyme tests, good luck
454133
Good question. Well your liver and kidneys can put up with a lot, but some things they just cant process. Like for instance too much carrots can turn you yellow, and thiamine acid can turn you reddish, but it would take a lot to do so. Also each person is different so consult your doctor. Bit from my point of view eating healthy is OK, just REALLY mo niter those supplements because accidents happen, and it could really hurt you. Your best bet is just to go talk to a doctor or nutritionist
1056303
It's so going to be very awful for all of you and very sad. Usually one of the things is boils breaking out all over their body, usually legs. Their liver and kidneys begin to shut down, jaundice develops and they will need dialysis. They will be in alot of pain, may hallucinate and lose weight rapidly.\nI am sorry you are in this position and my thoughts are with you.
219482
it causes severe damage to your liver and also alcohol posioning can happen.  if you must drink, know your limits and  NEVER drink to excess. there is nothing worse than a sloppy drunk
1178606
Here are three - the AHA one is the best of them, in my opinion.... Beware "statin" drugs...they can cause irrevocable damage to your liver.....Just bare that in mind.   :O)   Good luck\n\nhttp://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=1516\n\nhttp://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/cholesterol.html\n\nhttp://www.webmd.com/diseases_and_conditions/cholesterol.htm
667497
You didn't say what type of damage or what caused it,but most medications are broken down in your stomach,tylenol aspirin is broken down in you liver,so i would avoid that.\nIf your getting anti depressant meds from a doctor,ask them,if over the counter ask the pharmacist\nIf you have hep-c medications can cause problems,see a doc.\nMy liver use to hit my rib cage,i stopped drinking,in 2001 my gaulbladder died inside me and turned to gangreen that spread to my liver,almost bought it that time.\nI take 5 meds in the morning and 6 at night and I'm still here,you don't need all of your liver to survive anyway,but it's nice to have.\nGood luck
532518
Well, there are quite a few but remember your doctor is the best judge of that.  Ask him/her to run a liver panel on you if you are concerned.  Takes about five minutes and is the best approach.\n\nFirst off, I would look at things I'm doing that could cause liver disfunction - drinking alchol, medications, not enough exercise, etc... but some symptoms are:\n\nSome common liver disease symptoms include the following, each of which are described briefly below:\n\njaundice \ncholestasis \nliver enlargement \nportal hypertension \nascites \nliver encephalopathy \nliver failure \nWhat is jaundice?\nJaundice is a yellow discoloration of the skin and eye whites due to abnormally high levels of bilirubin (bile pigment) in the bloodstream. Urine is usually dark because of the bilirubin excreted through the kidneys. High levels of bilirubin may be attributed to inflammation or other abnormalities of the liver cells or blockage of the bile ducts. Sometimes jaundice is caused by the breakdown of a large number of red blood cells, which can occur in newborns. Jaundice is usually the first sign, and sometimes the only sign, of liver disease.\n\nWhat is cholestasis?\nCholestasis is reduced or stopped bile flow. Bile flow may be blocked inside or outside the liver. Symptoms may include:\n\njaundice \ndark urine \npale stool \nbone loss \neasy bleeding \nitching \nsmall, spider-like blood vessels visible in the skin \nenlarged spleen \nfluid in the abdominal cavity \nchills \npain from the biliary tract or pancrea \nenlarged gallbladder \nSome causes of cholestasis include:\n\nhepatitis \nalcoholic liver disease \nprimary biliary cirrhosis \ndrug effects \nhormonal changes during pregnancy \na stone in the bile duct \nbile duct narrowing \nbile duct cancer \npancreatic cancer \ninflammation of the pancreas \nWhat is liver enlargement?\nLiver enlargement is usually an indicator of liver disease, although there are usually no symptoms associated with a slightly enlarged liver (hepatomegaly). Symptoms of a grossly enlarged liver include abdominal discomfort or "feeling full."\n\nWhat is portal hypertension?\nPortal hypertension is abnormally high blood pressure in the portal vein, which supplies the liver with blood from the intestine. Portal hypertension may be due to increased blood pressure in the portal blood vessels or resistance to blood flow through the liver. Portal hypertension can lead to the growth of collateral vessels that connect to the general circulation, bypassing the liver. When this occurs, substances that are normally removed by the liver pass into the general circulation. Symptoms of portal hypertension may include:\n\na distended abdominal cavity (ascites) \nbleeding of the varicose veins at the lower end of the esophagus and in the stomach lining \nWhat is ascites?\nAscites is fluid build-up in the abdominal cavity, caused by fluid leaks from the surface of the liver and intestine. Ascites due to liver disease usually accompanies other liver disease characteristics such as portal hypertension. Symptoms of ascites may include a distended abdominal cavity, which causes discomfort and shortness of breath. Causes of ascites may include:\n\nliver cirrhosis (especially cirrhosis caused by alcoholism) \nalcoholic hepatitis \nchronic hepatitis \nobstruction of the hepatic vein \nAscites can also be caused by non-liver disorders.\n\nWhat is liver encephalopathy?\nLiver encephalopathy is the deterioration of brain function due to toxic substances building up in the blood, which are normally removed by the liver. Liver encephalopathy is also called portal-systemic encephalopathy, hepatic encephalopathy, or hepatic coma. Symptoms may include:\n\nimpaired consciousness \nchanges in logical thinking, personality, and behavior \nmood changes \nimpaired judgement \ndrowsiness \nconfusion \nsluggish speech and movement \ndisorientation \nloss of consciousness \ncoma \nWhat is liver failure?\nLiver failure is severe deteriorat
147247
fatty liver is still a reversible condition in tissue injury. if he/she gets treatment and stops the agent, it may not go on to fibrosis (cirrhosis), which is tissue death. \n\nIn fact, it's fairly common (so to speak) for children with chickenpox that take aspirin to get fulminant fatty liver (reye's syndrome), which is perfectly reversible.\n\nif the person gets treatment there should be no reason to speak of life expectancy in those terms.
102486
It's not too serious.  Many new born babies have this condition.  According to the links below, it will take care of itself.\n\nIt's an excess of bilirubin in the blood, produced by the breakdown of hemoglobin.\n\nRather than plagarise, I'll just point you at the links below:
50889
Q. What does the liver do?\n\nA. The liver:\n\nStores iron reserves, as well as vitamins and minerals \nMakes bile to help digest food \nDetoxifies poisonous chemicals, including alcohol, beer, wine, and drugs - prescribed and over-the-counter as well as illegal substances \nStores energy by stockpiling sugar (carbohydrates, glucose and fat) until you need it \nMakes your blood \nManufactures new proteins \nMakes clotting factors to help blood clot \nRemoves poisons from the air, exhaust, smoke and chemcials we breathe. \n-----------------------------------------------------------\n\nTHE LIVER AND NUTRITION\n\nQ. What does nutrition have to do with your liver?\n\nA. Everything we eat, breathe and absorb through our skin must be refned and detoxified by the liver, so special attention to nutrition and diet can help keep the the liver healthy.\n\nQ. Why is the liver so important in nutrition?\n\nA. 85-90% of the blood that leaves the stomach and intestines caries important nutrients to the liver where they are converted into substances the body can use.\n\nQ. Can poor nutrition cause liver disease?\n\nA. It is actually much more likely that poor nutrition is the result of chronic liver disease, not the cause. On the other hand, good nutrition - a balanced diet with adequate calories, proteins, fats, and carbohydrates - can actually help the \n-----------------------------------------------------------\n\nThe liver is the largest organ in the body. It is located below the diaphragm in the right upper quadrant of the abdominal cavity. An adult's liver weighs approximately 3 pounds and extends approximately from the right 5th rib to the lower border of the rib cage. \n\n\n\nThe liver is separated into a right and left lobe, separated by the falciform ligament. The right lobe is much larger than the left lobe. The working cells of the liver are known as hepatocytes. Hepatocytes have a unique capacity to reproduce in response to liver injury. Liver regeneration can occur after surgical removal of a portion of the liver or after injuries that destroy parts of the liver. Although the liver's ability to react to damage and repair itself is remarkable, repetitive insults can produce liver failure and death. \n\nThe liver is a metabolically active organ responsible for many vital life functions. The primary functions of the liver are: \n\nBile production and excretion \nExcretion of bilirubin, cholesterol, hormones, and drugs \nMetabolism of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates \nEnzyme activation \nStorage of glycogen, vitamins, and minerals \nSynthesis of plasma proteins, such as albumin, and clotting factors \nBlood detoxification and purification \nDue to these important activities, the liver is exposed to a number of insults and is one of the body's organs most subject to injury. \n\nThe biliary system consists of the gallbladder, and the hepatic, cystic, and common bile ducts.The gallbladder is located beneath the right lobe of the liver. The primary function of the gallbladder is to store and concentrate bile. Bile is comprised of bile salts, bilirubin, phospholipids, cholesterol, bicarbonate and water. Bile salts mix with ingested fats to promote absorption of fats from the gastrointestinal tract. Bilirubin, cholesterol, and phospholipids are end products of metabolism. Bicarbonate and water are needed in the gastrointestinal tract to help neutralize stomach acid, as digestion and absorption require an alkaline environment. \n\nAfter it's formation in the liver, bile flows into the hepatic duct. The hepatic duct joins with the cystic duct of the gallbladder to form the common bile duct, which then enters the duodenum at the ampulla of Vater. The sphincter of Oddi surrounds the ampulla of Vater. When food in the gastrointestinal canal enters the duodenum, cholecystokinin is released from the duodenal mucosa to stimulate contraction of the gallbladder and common bile duct, and relaxation of the sphincter of Oddi so that
76124
if you are social drinker....the probability of liver scirosis is little but...if you abuse alcohol then your liver starts to malfuction. it takes time for our liver or anyother organs to heal...when it is subjected to abuse.....have a medical doctor check your liver by blood work just to make sure no serious damage has occured over the period of alcohol abuse.
614981
Liver disease is a very nasty thing and there is NO guarantee as to what a Dr will find when he has to do a surgery.\n  Things that would normally be anticipated and things that would normally be planned in just an average surgery are tough enough but to add liver disease makes everything drastically different.\n   Your body is trying to overcome/cope with some of it's problems with your liver disease and in doing so has created some extra vessels or enlarged the vessels you have so for the Dr. to "accidentally" hit something that he would not normally have to worry about is just part of the whole set of problems that come with liver disease and to blame him for your current problems is not the place to put blame.\n   Anytime anyone goes under the knife there is always a risk but to go under the knife with your given set of circumstances your risks were higher than normal to begin with.\n   Your Dr did not make a mistake,he made a very brave and good judgement call and he/she needs to be commended not blamed.\n   You will overcome the brusising and soreness and you need to be greatful that you are alive to see and feel the healing.  Your alternative could have been disasterous had you not had the Dr that you had.
1119235
if your liver hurts ever, see a doctor really.