Fatty Liver Disease

 Written by: Muhammad Nasir Sirat

The liver is the largest solid organ in the human body. It carries out various essential tasks. Classed as part of the digestive system, the roles of the liver include detoxification, protein synthesis, and the production of chemicals that help digest food. Sometimes the fat in the liver causes some health problems.

Fatty liver happens when fat builds up in the liver. Having small amounts of fat in the liver is normal, but too much could become a health problem. AEPO’s writer/producer has talked to some patients and a physician about this disease.

Hanifa, a resident of Ghorband district, Parwan province says, “I am suffering from liver fat. I am always lethargic, tired, and upset. I have lost my weight and I have no appetite to eat food.”

Maryam, a resident of Kabul city says, “I was dizzy all day, when I went to the doctor he said that I have fatty liver. I cannot eat properly; If I eat a little more, I feel nausea and vomiting, I feel weakness and I cannot move and work.”

Doctor… says, “Feeling tired and lethargic, weight loss and loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting, general weakness, sometimes pain in the upper side of the abdomen, and confusion are important symptoms of this disease and if it progresses, yellowing of the eyes, watery and swollen of the abdomen, eventually other serious problems and even death of the patient would threaten the patients.”

What do some people think about the causes of this disease?

Faisal, a resident of Paghman district, Kabul province says, “When I eat greasy and fried foods, using ghee instead of oil and not having physical exercises I more suffer from fatty liver.” 

Lida, a resident of Khost province says, “I think eating more greasy foods and being overweight could cause fatty liver disease.”

Doctor… says, “There are many factors that create fat in the liver. Overweight, drinking more carbonated and energy drinks, alcohol, greasy and fried foods, smoking, not having physical exercises and sometimes hypertension in pregnant women and taking too much pain pills can also be the causes of fatty liver.”

How do some patients treat fatty liver disease?

Salma, a resident of Farah province says, “My father is suffering from fatty liver. He always recommends using little salt in food. He avoids greasy foods and eats more vegetables and his health condition is better than before.”

Hanifa says that the doctor advised her to eat vegetables, fresh fruits juice instead of meat and she takes the medicines according to the prescription of the doctor.” 

Doctor ... says, "Patients should control their diet and try not to eat too much fatty foods and ghee, instead they should use vegetables, fresh fruits, and drink chicory juice, lemon, pomegranate, apple, and other fruit juices. Going to a specialist and health center is necessary for the diagnosis and basic treatment of this disease.”