What department should I visit for fatty liver?

Written by Li Xue Qing
Gastroenterology
Updated on September 30, 2024
00:00
00:00

Fatty liver is a disease that indicates a metabolic disorder and is considered a type of digestive system disease, as well as a liver disease. In top-tier hospitals, there is generally a hepatology department where one can seek treatment at their outpatient clinic. In slightly less equipped county-level secondary hospitals or third-tier hospitals, which do not have a hepatology outpatient clinic, one can visit the gastroenterology outpatient clinic. Additionally, basic health clinics, which do not have a gastroenterology outpatient clinic, require visiting a general internal medicine outpatient clinic.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
56sec home-news-image

How long does it take to recover from fatty liver with exercise?

Fatty liver is a reversible disease that can gradually improve with proactive treatment, dietary adjustments, and appropriate exercise, although the duration of exercise varies from person to person. For mild fatty liver, the treatment period is short. In cases of severe fatty liver, exercise therapy must be complemented with medications, which extends the time required. Currently, there are no specific drugs that completely cure fatty liver. The main treatments involve protecting liver cells, reducing lipid levels, and using antioxidants. It is important to adjust the diet promptly, reduce the intake of greasy food, especially animal fats, and increase outdoor activities such as jogging and playing badminton. Maintaining a positive mindset also helps in recovery. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a doctor.)

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
1min home-news-image

What should people with fatty liver not eat?

Patients with fatty liver should not drink alcohol or eat greasy, rich, and heavy foods such as fatty meats and fried foods, nor should they consume animal organs. They should eat more fruits and vegetables and more coarse grains. At the same time, they should increase physical activity, as exercise can promote the metabolism of fats and has a positive effect for patients with fatty liver. Additionally, patients with fatty liver should not overwork or stay up late, as fatigue and lack of sleep can damage liver cells, leading to an increase in transaminase levels. This is especially detrimental for patients with fatty liver, as they are more susceptible to liver cell damage. Moreover, excessive anxiety or being prone to anger can also harm the liver, and is harmful to patients with fatty liver; thus, it is important to maintain a relaxed mood.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Xue Qing
Gastroenterology
25sec home-news-image

What foods should people with fatty liver avoid?

People with fatty liver should avoid overly greasy foods such as fatty meat, pig trotters, braised chicken, and braised duck. It is also important not to consume too much meat or foods high in sugar. Excessive intake of meat and sugar can be converted into fat and stored in the body, leading to high levels of fat. Therefore, control is also needed over the consumption of meat and fruits or foods that are high in sugar.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
46sec home-news-image

What should I do about moderate fatty liver?

In cases of moderate fatty liver, it is essential to be very cautious about diet, strictly abstaining from smoking and drinking, and avoiding greasy foods. Additionally, engaging in appropriate physical exercise is advisable, ideally maintaining over half an hour of activity daily, which can boost immunity and prevent weight gain, potentially exacerbating the condition otherwise. Fatty liver is a reversible disease, but if not promptly addressed, it can progress to cirrhosis. Therefore, a light diet should be the primary focus, avoiding fried foods and high-fat foods, including animal organs. Regular follow-up visits to the hospital are also necessary.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
1min 25sec home-news-image

Does fatty liver disease transmit?

Fatty liver is relatively common in clinical practice. It is not an infectious disease and is not contagious. Fatty liver is generally considered to be caused by various reasons leading to fat deposition in the liver. Usually, there are no specific symptoms. Some patients may experience pain, dull pain, or discomfort in the upper right abdomen, along with nausea, etc. Typically, patients discover they have fatty liver during a physical examination or incidental liver function tests and abdominal ultrasound that indicate changes due to fatty liver. The general principle of treatment is symptomatic management. If liver function is abnormal, hepatoprotective treatment can be considered. Of course, if liver function is normal and it's purely fatty liver, the main approach is adjusting dietary and lifestyle habits. It is advised that patients consume high-quality proteins and reduce intake of greasy, fatty, low-fat, and low-sugar foods. Maintaining a good mental state, appropriately reducing weight, and exercising can cure mild fatty liver. If there is severe fatty liver, it is recommended that patients visit a local hospital for treatment.