One out of four people have “hepatic steatosis” in the U.S. That may not be familiar to you, but you’ll be more familiar with the more common name of fatty liver disease. It’s what your mom’s been diagnosed as having.

There’s no cure for fatty liver disease, but there are steps that your mom can take to treat it. If she’s been diagnosed, it’s time to take a closer look at what causes it and what happens next.

It is a condition that is caused by excessive fat in the liver. Ignore it, and it can worsen and cause liver damage. October is National Liver Awareness Month, so it’s a good time to address your mom’s new diagnosis.

Ask Her Doctor Which Form She Has

There are two primary forms of fatty liver disease. One of them is caused by drinking too many alcoholic beverages. If your mom has more than one drink per day, her liver disease could be the result of her drinking more than a 12-ounce beer, 5-ounce glass of wine, or 1.5-ounce shot of liquor.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is more common. It occurs in children and adults who do not drink, but a lack of exercise and poor diet may impact it. A diet high in added sugar, saturated fat, or too large a portion can all factor into this type of fatty liver disease.

Fatty liver disease is more prevalent in certain people. The risk factors include having high cholesterol and triglyceride levels, going through menopause, having diabetes, or being obese.

What Steps Should She Take?

Her doctor will want your mom to lose weight if she’s obese and better manage chronic health conditions like high cholesterol and diabetes. She may be asked to take vitamin E supplements. If she does drink, she needs to stop.

She’ll need to exercise regularly. If her mobility is limited, she needs to work with a therapist to gain flexibility and mobility. She also may need to improve her diet with more fiber, produce, and healthy fats.

Look into the benefits of home health care services to help her learn how to take care of her liver. One of the most significant benefits is to have a physical therapist come to her home to teach her exercises that help her get more active.

A visit from a dietitian can help her learn the best diet for liver health. If she has diabetes, it’s beneficial to have her learn proper diabetes care at home. Reach out to a home health care agency to make arrangements.

Sources:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/nonalcoholic-fatty-liver-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20354567

If you are considering home health care in Paw Paw, MI, for an aging loved one, please call the caring staff at Fresh Perspective Home Care at (269) 329-4717. We are here to help!

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Shelly Nutter

Area Vice President at Fresh Perspective Home Care

Shelly Nutter has been a driving force in the Fresh Perspective Home Care team since 2008 and is currently the Area Vice President. She began caring for others at a young age and has never looked back. Her strong faith and family values drives her passion for helping others. Shelly says she never found a career that fulfilled a "bigger purpose" her previous jobs until begin her home care career with Fresh Perspective Home Care. "Here I found growth, purpose, and a career to match my personal ambition of making a difference in the lives of others." Shelly is native to the Kalamazoo/Portage, Mi area and has been married for over 25 years Together they have three children that she believes have benefited from watching Mom work hard to help others, advocate for others, and give to others. She also holds a bachelors degree in Accounting and an associates degree in Business Management.

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