Fatty Liver (Hepatic Steatosis) is a health condition when an excess amount of fat starts building up in the liver. A person can go about with the normal life with a little fat build up in the liver, but the excess of fat can cause serious health complications. 

 

The liver is the second largest organ of the body. The main function of the liver is to process nutrients from the consumed food and drinks and filter out the toxic substances from your blood. 

 

Excess of fat in your liver can lead to inflammation, which can further cause more damage to your liver. In some cases, this damage can even lead to scarring and thus, failure of liver functioning. 

 

There are usually two types of fatty liver diseases. One that is caused by an excess of alcohol consumption known as Alcoholic Fatty Liver disease and other is developed without any alcohol involvement, Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver disease. 

 

Fatty Liver Symptoms

 

Most cases show no signs of Fatty Liver condition. However, you may experience tiredness or pain in the upper right side of your abdomen. 

 

As stated earlier, fatty liver can lead to further complication such as liver scarring also known as fibrosis. Severe fibrosis is called Cirrhosis. Symptoms of this condition are as follows: 

 

• Tiredness 
• Weakness 
• Fatigue 
• Weight loss 
• Loss of Appetite
• Skin itching 
• Abdominal pain 
• Nose bleeding 
• Yellowing of skin and eyes 

 

Liver Cirrhosis is a life-threatening condition and requires immediate medical attention. 

 

Fatty Liver Diagnosis 

 

To diagnose fatty liver, your doctor will first enquire you about your symptoms, conduct a physical examination and then order a few tests. 

 

On suspicion of fatty liver, your doctor may ask you questions about your medical history, such as: 

 

• Lifestyle and alcohol consumption
• Family history of liver conditions
• Medications that you take 

 

To check for inflammation, your doctor may press on your abdomen. This is a physical examination. However, no sure diagnosis can come out of this examination. 

 

Blood tests and imaging tests such as ultrasound and C.T. scan are used for a foolproof diagnosis of the liver condition. 

 

Fatty Liver Treatment and Cost in India 

 

There is no specific treatment available for conditions like fatty liver. Since this health condition is mainly caused by eating habits and lifestyle, doctors may recommend lifestyle changes for reversing fatty liver conditions.

 

Some of the most effective lifestyle changes that can be made are as follows: 

 

• Reduce or stop the consumption of alcohol. Alcohol consumption is one of the leading causes of fat build-up in the liver. Limiting the consumption may stop further worsening of the organ
• Obesity is yet another major cause affecting the functioning of liver. Losing weight with the help of exercise recommended by doctors can be an effective treatment option
• Changing the diet by eating low-fat food and consuming healthy dietary options

 

If you have developed severe liver complications, below treatment options can be suggested: 

 

• Surgery
• Medication 
• Major lifestyle changes 
• You might need a liver transplant in case of Cirrhosis which is liver failure. 

 

Health Insurance in India 

 

If fatty liver is diagnosed at an earlier stage, it can be easily treated with lifestyle changes without spending much. However, if the disease worsens further, the treatment of this condition may cost you a fortune. Transplant is one of the most expensive and complicated medical procedure. 

 

To safeguard yourself from falling into financial debt, it is best to avail a health insurance plan.

 

When you or your family member is in a medical crisis, the last thing you want to do is go around asking for money for medical treatment. A health insurance plan will pay for all your medical expenses during such a situation. 

 

When you buy a health plan, you pay a part of your income as premium at regular intervals for a pre-specified sum assured. Health insurance provider under the benefit of cashless claim facility will settle covered hospital bills directly to hospital. The claim process is easy and hassle-free. 

 

Apart from the cashless claim facility, there are numerous benefits under a medical insurance plan in India. The best is that you can buy a plan for your entire family. It covers a number of diseases with pre and post hospitalisation coverage. 

 

Other diseases 

 

Other types of Fatty Liver Diseases are as follows: 

 

• Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)
• Acute fatty liver of pregnancy (AFLP)
• Alcoholic fatty liver disease (ALFD)
• Alcoholic steatohepatitis (ASH)