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Is Alcohol Consumption A Major Contributing Factor To Grade-1 Fatty Liver?

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Posted on Tue, 29 Nov 2016
Question: How do I tell what stage I am in having been diag. with fatty liver disease cirhosis and being given a prescription of ursodiol? YYYY@YYYY I don't know how to put stuff in files on the computer. I was curious with how long I have.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Lifestyle modification is primary.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on Healthcaremagic.

I understand that you have been diagnosed with fatty liver. The first thing that I need to ask is whether you are an alcoholic. If yes, it is a warning sign seeking you to stop drinking. If you are not an alcoholic, the next question is whether you are a diabetic. If yes, you need to remain on regular medication to keep the condition in check. If not, there is an entity called non-alcoholic hepatosteatosis (NASH) or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Nothing needs to be done about it. You just need to lead a normal healthy life.

If you have XXXXXXX it will not affect your life expectancy. If you have been drinking, your life expectancy has been lowered but you can make up for it by not drinking further.

Unless you have cholestatic disease (where the bile flow is obstructed) taking ursodiol will not help and I would not recommend its use.

Let me know if I could help further.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. REMY KOSHY
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (5 hours later)
Am not alcoholic nor diabetic.If in a year I have one drink a month, that would be on a social occasion.I have a sweet tooth and prefer dessert. Mother, Aunt and Grandma had gallbladder removed.In 1972 Mom diagnosed initially with flu, died from gb duct blocked by stones and killed liver.No soon enough diagnosis formy mom. Later my Aunt was saved by a quicker diagnosis and new treatment. My violently night pain explosions that I thought was a heart attack were not qualifying for gall bladder tests because not classic. I finally received the tests which showed a loaded and distended GB.Surgery 10 years ago for removal and surgeon gave me a picture and said the liver scarred because I asked him to look around to see if the appendix unhealthy because of intermittant sharp jabbing pains there.It was healthy but the liver was "scarred".No answer from him or primary dr who didnot know what that meant.Later blood tests showed elevated alkaline phosphastase ?sp Finally a yr ago a gastro dr. told me I had cirhosis. I rarely drink.Fatty liver disease and prescribed 600 mg ursodiol which I take with 1 gr Armourthyroid forautoimmune dead thyroid disease.He does not tell me the end stages and says not to worry.I do wonder.Take 1 daily regular aspirin. Stroke prevention. Dad 1/2 left side paralyzed 7 yrs. How live with/protect liver from shutdown/cancer if ursodiol should not be used??? ? Feel physical change w/abdomen puffing out & bowel changes from l/daily reg to numerous small.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (3 hours later)
Brief Answer: XXXXXXX

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for clarifying. The entity that you have is called non-alcoholic hepatosteatosis (NASH) or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. It is different from cirrhosis (although elevated alkaline phosphatase indicates some amount of tissue damage involved in your case). The difference between fatty liver disease and cirrhosis is that the latter is associated with fibrosis. I would insist you to go through the following links:
http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/tc/nonalcoholic-steatohepatitis-nash-overview#1
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-topics/liver-disease/nonalcoholic-steatohepatitis/Pages/facts.aspx
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/772509

On reading through the links you would understand that liver cancer or liver shutdown are not the main concerns in this case. Thereafter please enumerate the points that you seek me to enlighten you on, and I would guide you accordingly. As of now I might have left some questions unanswered on purpose.

Regards
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1954

Answered : 4467 Questions

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Is Alcohol Consumption A Major Contributing Factor To Grade-1 Fatty Liver?

Brief Answer: Lifestyle modification is primary. Detailed Answer: Thanks for asking on Healthcaremagic. I understand that you have been diagnosed with fatty liver. The first thing that I need to ask is whether you are an alcoholic. If yes, it is a warning sign seeking you to stop drinking. If you are not an alcoholic, the next question is whether you are a diabetic. If yes, you need to remain on regular medication to keep the condition in check. If not, there is an entity called non-alcoholic hepatosteatosis (NASH) or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Nothing needs to be done about it. You just need to lead a normal healthy life. If you have XXXXXXX it will not affect your life expectancy. If you have been drinking, your life expectancy has been lowered but you can make up for it by not drinking further. Unless you have cholestatic disease (where the bile flow is obstructed) taking ursodiol will not help and I would not recommend its use. Let me know if I could help further. Regards