fettleversjukdom

Fettleversjukdom, or fatty liver disease, is a condition characterized by excessive fat in liver cells (steatosis). It is defined when fat makes up more than about 5% of liver weight and may occur with little or no inflammation. Two major forms are nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD).

NAFLD occurs in people who drink little or no alcohol and is strongly linked to obesity, insulin resistance, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. AFLD results from sustained alcohol intake and often overlaps with these metabolic risks.

Key risk factors include obesity, visceral fat, type 2 diabetes, high blood lipids, and high blood pressure; rapid weight loss, certain medications, and genetic factors can also contribute.

Symptoms are often absent, but may include fatigue or right‑sided abdominal discomfort. Progression can lead to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), fibrosis, cirrhosis, and, rarely, liver failure or cancer.

Diagnosis relies on history of alcohol use, liver enzymes (ALT, AST), and imaging showing steatosis (ultrasound, CT, MRI). Noninvasive fibrosis tests and elastography help stage disease; liver biopsy may be needed in uncertain cases.

Management emphasizes lifestyle changes: weight loss through diet and exercise, control of diabetes and lipids, and avoidance of alcohol. Some NAFLD patients may benefit from specific medications (e.g., pioglitazone, GLP-1 agonists, or vitamin E in select cases), though no universal drug is approved.

Prognosis varies with fibrosis stage; NAFLD is a leading cause of chronic liver disease worldwide and the prevalence is rising with obesity.