Fatty Liver Disease

Fatty liver disease, also known as hepatic steatosis, occurs when there is an excess of fat in the liver. It is normal for the liver to have some fat; however, for some people too much fat stored can lead to inflammation which damages the liver. Over time, the inflamed liver can lead to scarring of the liver (cirrhosis).

There are two types of fatty liver disease:

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) - NAFLD is not related to alcohol use and has two types: Simple fatty liver and Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The latter is a more serious condition because it means that there is inflammation and damage in the liver.

Alcoholic fatty liver disease - This is caused by heavy alcohol use and hence can be preventable. Alcoholic fatty liver disease can develop into alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis.

People with fatty liver disease often are unaware that they have this condition until it worsens to liver cirrhosis. If you experience pain on the upper right side of the abdomen, extreme fatigue, or nausea, consider going for a check-up.

Treatments for Fatty Liver Disease

There is no specific medical or surgical treatment for fatty liver disease, instead treatment comes from lifestyle changes like weight loss, avoiding alcohol (for people with alcoholic fatty liver disease), and managing the patient’s diabetes (if any).

Fatty liver disease is a preventable liver problem, so long as you stay within a healthy weight range and maintain a balanced diet.

Dr Victor Lee and Dr Ek Khoon Tan have more than 40 years of experience treating liver cancer, colorectal liver metastases, and other liver tumours. We believe that dedication, skill, and multidisciplinary care is key to achieving optimal outcomes.

For more information, call us at

6737 8878

Mount Elizabeth Orchard

6475 1488

Gleneagles Hospital

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