Doctors consider grade 1 fatty liver disease a mild form of the condition. During this stage, the fat buildup in the liver has not caused significant damage.
Fatty liver is one of the leading causes of liver disease in the United States. Researchers estimate that it affects
Nonalcohol-related, or non-alcoholic, fatty liver disease (NAFLD), or fatty liver,
A healthy liver typically contains a small amount of fat. However, if it reaches 5–10% of the liver’s weight, it can become an issue.
This article will provide an overview of grade 1 fatty liver, including its signs and symptoms, risk factors, and possible causes.
Grade 1 fatty liver is
Most people will only develop grade or stage 1 fatty liver. Often this occurs without them even knowing it. Doctors typically find it when they run tests for other reasons.
It is important to address the condition to prevent the progression of fat buildup leading to more severe stages. However, this progression generally only occurs in a small number of cases.
However, in some cases, a person may feel tired or have some discomfort in the upper right side of their abdomen.
Without treatment, a person may develop cirrhosis. This is the most severe stage of fatty liver disease, also known as grade 4.
More research is still necessary to determine the exact causes of NAFLD.
However, some
Health conditions that can lead to NAFLD include:
- overweight or obesity
- type 2 diabetes or insulin resistance
- abnormal levels of fats in the blood
- metabolic syndrome or any of the following traits of metabolic syndrome:
- a large waist size
- high blood pressure
- high blood glucose
- high cholesterol
Other causes of grade 1 fatty liver disease include:
- excessive consumption of alcohol
- malnutrition or rapid weight loss
- medications, such as HIV treatments, corticosteroids, or certain cancer treatments
- exposure to toxins
- rare genetic conditions, such as Wilson disease
Although there is no specific cause of fatty liver, researchers have identified certain factors that can increase the risk of its development.
These include having:
- diabetes
- obesity
- an underactive thyroid
- high blood pressure
- high cholesterol
Other risk factors include smoking and being over the age of 50.
There is currently no specific treatment for fatty liver.
Instead, doctors suggest lifestyle modifications to address risk factors such as obesity and diabetes. Research indicates that losing at least 3–5% of body weight can reduce fat in the liver.
Lifestyle modifications can include:
- safe weight loss, if needed
- maintaining a moderate weight
- regular exercise
- dietary changes
- not smoking
- reducing alcohol intake, if applicable
It is best to seek medical attention if a person has abnormal liver enzymes on blood tests and fatty liver on abdominal imaging. Early detection and management of fatty liver is important in preventing disease progression and cirrhosis.
Doctors
Since lifestyle modifications can address the majority of risk factors for fatty liver, it may be possible to prevent its development. However, research is ongoing, and scientists do not know the exact causes of the condition.
The most effective approach to preventing fatty liver disease is to maintain a moderate weight, incorporate regular exercise, limit alcohol consumption, and take medications for underlying conditions, such as high blood pressure or diabetes.
If fatty liver progresses, a person may eventually develop irreversible damage to their liver.
Without treatment, fatty liver can lead to several complications,
- cirrhosis, which can impair liver function
- ascites, an accumulation of fluid in the abdomen
- swelling of veins in the esophagus, which can rupture and cause bleeding
- hepatic encephalopathy, which can cause confusion, drowsiness, and slurred speech
- liver cancer
- end stage liver failure
The following section answers some common questions about grade 1 fatty liver disease.
Is grade 1 fatty liver reversible?
Since the fat buildup with grade 1 fatty liver is mild, people can reverse it through lifestyle modifications and addressing the relevant risk factors. Research suggests that losing at least 3–5% of body weight can reduce fat in the liver.
Is grade 1 fatty liver serious?
Grade 1 fatty liver is the mildest form, and the fat buildup at this point is still relatively harmless. However, it is important to address it, since it is possible for the condition to progress. If this happens, there can be irreversible damage to the liver, severely impacting its function.
Fatty liver occurs when there is a buildup of fat in the liver. Typically, a healthy liver has a small amount of fat. Fatty liver occurs when approximately 5–10% of the liver’s weight is fat.
The condition has four severity groups, with grade 1 being the mildest form with the lowest fat buildup. People with grade 1 fatty liver do not typically experience any symptoms. However, if the condition progresses, it can lead to irreversible damage to the liver, including the development of cirrhosis.
There is no specific treatment for grade 1 fatty liver. However, research suggests that lifestyle modifications to address risk factors such as obesity and diabetes can prevent the condition from developing.