Patient's question:
I carefully checked for fatty liver disease last year, and later I learned that most people have this condition. Due to work, I often forget how to treat it, and I haven't paid attention to my diet either. When I had a thorough check-up this year, it was said to be moderate. I've heard about liver cirrhosis. Is there a relationship between fatty liver and liver cirrhosis?Doctor's answer:
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is not necessarily linked to cirrhosis, but if left untreated, NAFLD can lead to fat accumulation in the liver, compression of blood vessels, and subsequently brain edema and hypoxia in liver tissue. Over time, this can cause liver cell degeneration and pus formation, as well as fibrosis of the liver, which may ultimately result in cirrhosis. This progression increases the difficulty and risk of treatment. Therefore, patients with NAFLD should not be negligent in their treatment, and active and effective management can prevent the recurrence of cirrhosis.Additionally, NAFLD is a preventable and treatable condition. Regardless of the cause, NAFLD represents a potential injury and stress to the liver. Therefore, it is essential to implement targeted and effective treatment, including dietary modifications and exercise therapy.