Understanding Grade 1 Fatty Liver: Causes, Symptoms, and Management

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle isn't easy in this fast-paced world. Consistently having an unhealthy lifestyle can affect your life and give you a pause. One such common problem is fatty liver disease. 

With the spread of this disease all over the world due to lifestyle changes, unhealthy dietary habits, and sedentary behaviours, it is concerningly important. There are several stages. Let's explore fatty liver and grade 1 fatty liver. Grade 1 fatty liver is the mildest form of this disease, often serving as an early warning sign. Thus, it is important to address this problem at its initial stages to avoid serious problems in the future.

This article will help you learn about Grade 1 fatty liver, its causes, symptoms, diagnostic methods, treatment options, and other preventive measures to help you maintain liver health. Grade 1 fatty liver disease also known as hepatic steatosis is a disease where the fat consumed by the human body does not pass through the liver and accumulates in the inner thin cells of the liver.

This leads to the storage of fat on the liver which leads to the swelling of the liver and adds up to around 5–10% of the average weight of the liver. This can be more concerning if you are suffering from a higher grade of fatty liver type. Below are the types of fatty liver disease found in human bodies.

This disease can be found in patients who consume little to no alcohol. This is not life life-threatening stage and can be cured by physical activity. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease NAFLD occurs in patients having diabetes and obesity.

AFLD also known as Alcoholic fatty liver disease is a condition which is caused when the patient consumes alcohol without any limit. This condition can damage the liver which will cause the failure of the working liver. If not treated in early stages it can also become cirrhosis.

It is important to detect a grade 1 fatty liver type as it will help you control the disease and cure it before it creates any serious damage. 

You can easily prevent and cure Grade 1 fatty liver by practising a healthy diet and following a healthy lifestyle with physical activities.

There are three main stages in which fatty liver progresses. 

It is the basic form of Grade 1 fatty liver which can be found at an early stage. At this stage, the disease is easily curable. By adjusting your diet and lifestyle you will be able to eliminate the chance of the progression of fatty liver.

With maintaining a healthy lifestyle the liver will start to cut down the excessive fat and will be retained to its normal structure and function.

• In this stage there is a minimal fat accumulation in liver cells that can be the reason for fatty liver.

• There will be no signs of inflammation or scarring on the liver although you can feel bloating.

• Although this stage is asymptomatic, you may get mild fatigue or discomfort in the upper abdomen.

Grade 1 fatty liver is the least harmful disease that will not immediately harm your liver but if not treated timely it can damage the cells of the liver.

Grade 2 is the second and progressive stage of Grade 1 fatty liver in which there will be clear signs of is signs of inflammation with moderate fat accumulation.

The patient may feel symptoms that can include abdominal discomfort, fatigue, and mild liver dysfunction that will lead to serious problems like fibrosis or cirrhosis.

This is the last and most dangerous stage of the fatty liver. Grade 3 Fatty liver is when the fat accumulation can be seen through ultrasounds and it can lead to serious diseases like jaundice and swelling scaring the liver. Hence, at this stage, you require a doctor to proceed with the treatment and recover.

Grade 1 fatty liver is often asymptomatic, but some individuals may notice:

• If you suffer grade 1 fatty liver you may feel persistent fatigue and tend to have low energy levels.

• With having mild discomfort or pain in the upper right abdomen can also be one of the symptoms of a fatty liver.

• Facing regular bloating or a sense of fullness after meals can also be a symptom of having a fatty liver disease.

Obesity:  having excessive body weight will also lead to storing excess fat on the liver cells that will lead to fatty liver.

Insulin Resistance: If you have insulin resistance or diabetes of level 2 you may have a high chance of having a fatty liver as it enhances the fat deposition in the liver.

Unhealthy Diets: An unhealthy lifestyle and unhealthy diet will lead to an increase in fat in liver cells that can damage and cause swelling. 

Alcohol Consumption: Consuming regular alcohol can also result in the accumulation of fat in the liver.

Genetic Factors:  If there is a family history of liver disease then it also creates a higher chance to have an increased chance of having one.

•If you live a sedentary lifestyle which is a lack of physical activity then it is possible that you may be the next victim of liver disease.

•Even if you look to lose all the weight with crash dieting or surgery won't reload your fatty liver back to its normal phase.

•Other factors like high cholesterol and triglyceride levels may be the reason for fatty liver.

Hepatic steatosis is the condition used when the patient is found to have excessive fat in liver cells. This state is known as the initial phase of the fatty liver.

During modern or severe cases there is a large amount of accumulation of fat on the liver side. 

This is the term which is used to describe the sudden enlargement of the liver due to the excessive fat accumulation on liver cells.

Liver enzymes buildup in the liver like ALT and AST are known to indicate fatty liver. This condition can be found with blood tests.

It is important to identify a fatty liver as it can help you to save your life. One such condition is known as Hepatomegaly or an enlarged liver. This is one of the common ways to identify whether a patient has a fatty liver or not. 

Having an enlarged liver indicates that the liver is under stress this does not usually mean that it can not be cured with proper medical guidance it can be cured, thus here are some signs to find out if you have hepatomegaly.

If you face persistent abdominal pain then there may be a chance that you have a fatty liver. Symptoms of having yellowing of the skin or eyes which indicates jaundice can also be a sign of enlarged liver. One of the best ways to find out that you have fatty liver is to check if your legs are swollen.

You can choose to have a healthy lifestyle by adding physical activities to your routine. Reduce the chance of having a fatty liver by consuming whole grains, vegetables and fibre-rich fruits. Lifestyle changes such as regular physical activity and less alcohol consumption can treat fatty liver disease.

You can also choose to reduce the consumption of refined sugar and other processed foods that can harm your liver. Add foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids- rich nutrients to your diet. Examples of such foods are salmon and flaxseeds.

Aim for 30–60 minutes of moderate exercise daily, such as brisk walking or cycling. Strength training exercises can also help reduce fat in the liver. You must maintain a healthy weight to get rid of liver diseases.

Gradual weight loss of 1–2 pounds per week can significantly improve liver health.

1. Manage Comorbid Conditions

It is important to have lower cholesterol and triglycerides through medication if needed. Consult with your healthcare provider to get proper treatment options.

2. Monitor Liver Function

It is important to monitor Regular liver function tests can track improvements or detect worsening conditions.  It is important to do regular blood tests to monitor the liver condition.

Antioxidant-Rich Foods: Opt for fibre-rich fruits in your diet. Examples of such fruits are green tea, nuts, and berries. These fruits can reduce oxidative stress which results in liver expansion. Such foods help to reduce the fat buildup in the liver cells.

Herbal Supplements:  Choose herbal supplements to lower the fat on the liver opting for milk turmeric will show results in reducing fatty liver disease and enhancing liver health.

Grade 1 fatty liver disease can be cured if it is found out at the right time. Thus it is important to focus on your dietary of while maintaining your lifestyle.

Adding healthy lifestyle habits to your routine will add many years to your life. Early diagnosis of fatty liver disease by taking proactive management can help you to treat the fatty liver in no time. This helps in increasing liver health. 

Choose a balanced diet with regular workouts that can help you to be physically active and maintain a healthy lifestyle. By taking some proactive steps you will be able to protect your body from many harmful diseases as well.  It is always advisable to consult your doctor before making any changes in your diet and lifestyle that will ensure a safe and effective approach to managing this disease.

**Medical Disclaimer: The following information is for educational purposes only. No information provided on this website, including text, graphics, and images, is intended as a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult with your doctor about specific medical advice about your condition(s).