About this topic
The liver is one of the largest organs in your body. It is found on the upper right part of your belly. ‚
When you have nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, or NAFLD, fats or fatty tissues build up in the liver. This may happen in people who drink little or no alcohol at all. NAFLD happens when your liver does not break down fats and they stay in the liver. Treatment depends on the cause of fatty liver. Treatment may include drugs and lifestyle changes. ‚
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Weight loss, lowering cholesterol, and keeping blood sugar down are all important.
- If you are overweight, ask your doctor about exercise and diet changes that can help you keep a healthy weight.
- Ask your doctor how to lower your cholesterol level. Eat foods with less fat like lean meat, fish, fruits, and vegetables.
- If you have diabetes, watch and manage your sugar level. Eat a variety of foods with less sugar in your diet.
- Take extra care with your drugs. Only take the drugs you need in the ordered amounts.
- Avoid beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol).
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Lower cholesterol
- Manage sugar levels, if you have diabetes
Will physical activity be limited?
Exercising regularly may be helpful to your liver. A daily, short exercise routine may help lower your cholesterol. Ask your doctor what is the right amount of exercise for you. ‚
What changes to diet are needed?
Weight loss may help improve the liver. See a dietitian to learn about a good diet. ‚
- Eat lots of fruits and vegetables.
- Eat lean meat like poultry and fish.
- Eat foods low in fat like lean meat and fish.
- Avoid fatty or greasy food.
- Eat whole grain products such as whole grain cereals and bread.
- Avoid foods high in salt and sugar.
What problems could happen?
Liver may not work well ‚
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Keep a healthy weight and exercise often.
- If you are overweight, ask your doctor about diet and exercise changes you can make to keep a healthy weight.
- Control your blood sugar.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Bruising or bleeding
- Yellow skin or eyes
- Swelling of belly
- Not hungry
- Feeling very tired or weak
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you what to eat to help lower my cholesterol level.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have yellow skin or eyes.
Where can I learn more?
American Liver Foundation ‚
http://www.liverfoundation.org/abouttheliver/info/nafld/ ‚
National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse ‚
http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/nash/ ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚