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What is fatty liver?
A healthy liver contains a little fat. When fat makes up more than about 5% of the liver, doctors call it fatty liver or hepatic steatosis. There are two main types:
- MASLD (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, earlier called NAFLD): linked to excess weight, diabetes, high cholesterol and blood pressure. This is the most common type.
- Alcohol-related fatty liver: caused by regular alcohol intake.
Fatty liver can stay stable for years. In some people, the fat triggers inflammation (steatohepatitis, MASH) and scarring (fibrosis). Over many years, heavy scarring can lead to cirrhosis, which raises the risk of liver failure and liver cancer. The good news is that the early stages are often reversible.
Symptoms
Most people with fatty liver have no symptoms. It is usually found on an ultrasound or blood test done for another reason. Some people notice:
- Tiredness or low energy
- A dull ache or heaviness in the upper right side of the belly
- Raised liver enzymes (SGOT/SGPT, also called AST/ALT) on a blood test
Signs of advanced liver disease include yellow eyes or skin (jaundice), swelling of the belly or legs, easy bruising, vomiting blood, black stools and confusion. These need urgent care.
Causes and risk factors
- Belly fat and being overweight, even if your weight looks "normal" (common in South Asians)
- Type 2 diabetes or prediabetes
- High triglycerides or cholesterol, high blood pressure
- A diet high in sugar, sweet drinks, refined flour (maida) and fried food
- Inactivity and long hours of sitting
- Alcohol
- Thyroid problems, PCOS, sleep apnoea, some medicines
When to see a doctor
Book a consultation if an ultrasound shows fatty liver, your liver enzymes are raised, or you have diabetes or obesity. Seek urgent care if you have:
- Yellow eyes or skin, dark urine
- Swelling of the belly or legs
- Vomiting blood or black stools
- Confusion or unusual sleepiness
How fatty liver is assessed at Samrijo
- Consultation: weight, waist size, blood pressure, diet, alcohol and medicines.
- Blood tests in the in-house laboratory: liver function, sugar (HbA1c), lipids, and tests to rule out hepatitis B and C.
- Ultrasound of the abdomen to look at the liver and gallbladder.
- FibroScan to measure liver stiffness (scarring) and fat (CAP score).
- Simple scores from blood tests (such as FIB-4) to estimate scarring risk.
Treatment options
A simple diet and activity plan
- Half your plate vegetables, a quarter protein (dal, chana, paneer, eggs, fish, chicken), a quarter whole grains (roti from whole wheat, bajra, brown rice).
- Cut sugar and sweet drinks: cold drinks, packaged juices, sweets and extra sugar in tea.
- Reduce maida and fried food: bhature, samosa, biscuits, namkeen.
- Walk briskly 30–45 minutes, at least five days a week, and add simple strength exercises.
- Sleep 7–8 hours, and break up long sitting every hour.
- Track progress: note your weight and waist size every two weeks. Small, steady changes add up.
Myths and facts
- "Only people who drink get fatty liver." Most fatty liver in India today is linked to weight, diabetes and diet, not alcohol.
- "Thin people can't have fatty liver." They can, especially with belly fat, diabetes or an unhealthy diet ("lean fatty liver").
- "Liver detox drinks and tonics will clean my liver." There is no good evidence for this, and some herbal products can damage the liver. Talk to your doctor before taking any supplement.
- "Normal liver tests mean my liver is fine." Liver enzymes can be normal even when scarring is present. That's why FibroScan or blood-based scores are used.
- "Fatty liver is harmless, so I can ignore it." Often it stays mild, but in some people it progresses silently. People with fatty liver are also at higher risk of heart disease and diabetes, so it's a signal to act.
What to expect
First visit
Review of reports, examination and a plan for any missing tests.
Assessment
Blood tests, ultrasound and FibroScan, often completed on the same day where available.
Your plan
A realistic weight, diet and activity target, and treatment of related conditions.
Follow-up
Repeat tests after a few months to track progress. How often depends on how much scarring you have.
Why choose Samrijo Hospital
- Tests in one building: lab, ultrasound and FibroScan where available.
- Practical advice suited to Indian food habits, in Hindi or English.
- Linked care with endoscopy and surgery if complications or gallstones are found.
Cost
Cost depends on the consultation and tests needed (blood tests, ultrasound, FibroScan) and follow-up frequency. Call 93196 62944 for an estimate.
फैटी लिवर का इलाज, बुराड़ी, दिल्ली
फैटी लिवर का मतलब है लिवर में ज़रूरत से ज़्यादा चर्बी जमा होना। आजकल यह अल्ट्रासाउंड में सबसे आम पाई जाने वाली समस्या है। पेट की चर्बी, डायबिटीज़, ज़्यादा कोलेस्ट्रॉल, मीठा और तला-भुना खाना, कम शारीरिक गतिविधि और शराब इसके मुख्य कारण हैं। ज़्यादातर लोगों में कोई लक्षण नहीं होते, पर कुछ में थकान या पेट के दाहिनी ओर भारीपन महसूस होता है।
फैटी लिवर का सबसे असरदार इलाज धीरे-धीरे वज़न कम करना (7–10%), चीनी और मैदा कम करना, रोज़ 30–45 मिनट तेज़ चलना और शराब छोड़ना है। Samrijo Hospital, बुराड़ी में ब्लड टेस्ट, अल्ट्रासाउंड और FibroScan से यह पता लगाया जा सकता है कि लिवर में कितनी चर्बी और कितना सख़्तपन है। आँखें पीली हों, पेट में पानी भरे या खून की उल्टी हो तो तुरंत दिखाएँ।
लिवर चेक-अप के लिए कॉल करें: 93196 62944।
Frequently asked questions
Is fatty liver dangerous?
Simple fatty liver often causes no harm for years. In some people, however, the fat causes inflammation and scarring (fibrosis) that can slowly progress to cirrhosis. Knowing how much scarring there is, for example with a FibroScan, helps decide how closely you need to be followed.
Can fatty liver be reversed?
Often, yes. Losing about 7–10% of body weight through diet and activity can reduce liver fat and inflammation in many people, and may improve early scarring. Results vary, and advanced scarring is less likely to reverse.
Is there a medicine for fatty liver?
Lifestyle change is the main treatment. Some medicines may be used in selected patients, and treating diabetes, cholesterol and blood pressure is important. Please do not take "liver tonics" or supplements without asking your doctor, as some can harm the liver.
I don't drink alcohol. How did I get fatty liver?
Most fatty liver in India today is linked to excess weight (especially around the belly), diabetes, high cholesterol and inactivity, not alcohol. This is now called MASLD (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease).
What does "Grade 1 / Grade 2 fatty liver" on ultrasound mean?
Ultrasound grades describe roughly how much fat is visible. They do not measure scarring. A FibroScan or blood-based scores are used to estimate stiffness (scarring), which matters more for long-term risk.
What does fatty liver evaluation cost?
It depends on the tests needed, such as blood tests, ultrasound and FibroScan. Call 93196 62944 for an estimate.
फैटी लिवर क्या है और क्या यह ठीक हो सकता है?
जब लिवर में ज़रूरत से ज़्यादा चर्बी जमा हो जाती है, तो उसे फैटी लिवर कहते हैं। वज़न 7–10% कम करने, सही खान-पान और रोज़ाना व्यायाम से कई लोगों में लिवर की चर्बी कम हो जाती है।
क्या फैटी लिवर में FibroScan करवाना ज़रूरी है?
हर किसी को नहीं, पर डायबिटीज़, मोटापा या बढ़े हुए लिवर एंज़ाइम वाले लोगों में FibroScan से पता चलता है कि लिवर में कितना सख़्तपन (फ़ाइब्रोसिस) है। डॉक्टर आपकी रिपोर्ट देखकर सलाह देंगे।
Related treatments
This page is for general health information only. It is not a diagnosis or a substitute for a consultation. Every patient is different, so please consult a qualified doctor about your own condition and treatment. Medical disclaimer.