What is liver cyst and fatty liver? Is it dangerous?

Liver cysts and fatty liver are two different liver diseases. Liver cysts are mostly benign, while fatty liver is associated with metabolic abnormalities and may cause cirrhosis or liver cancer in severe cases. Liver cysts are usually asymptomatic, while fatty liver needs to be controlled through diet and exercise, and regular check-ups are key.

1. Causes and risks of liver cysts

Liver cysts are a common benign liver lesion, usually caused by congenital or acquired factors. Congenital liver cysts are related to abnormal embryonic development, and acquired liver cysts may be related to infection, trauma or parasitic infection. Most liver cysts are asymptomatic and small in size, and do not require special treatment. In a few cases, the cysts are large or numerous, which may compress the surrounding tissues and cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating or indigestion. At this time, imaging examinations are required to confirm the diagnosis, and surgical treatment is required if necessary, such as puncture and fluid extraction, cystectomy or partial liver resection.

2. Causes and risks of fatty liver

Fatty liver is a disease caused by excessive fat accumulation in liver cells, which is mainly divided into alcoholic fatty liver and non-alcoholic fatty liver. Alcoholic fatty liver is related to long-term excessive drinking, while non-alcoholic fatty liver is related to metabolic syndromes such as obesity, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia. Fatty liver is usually asymptomatic in the early stages, but as the disease progresses, it may develop into fatty hepatitis, liver fibrosis, and even cirrhosis and liver cancer. The diagnosis of fatty liver requires liver function tests, ultrasound or CT and other imaging tests. In terms of treatment, alcoholic fatty liver requires abstinence from alcohol, and non-alcoholic fatty liver requires weight control, diet adjustment and increased exercise.

3. Prevention and management of liver cysts and fatty liver

The prevention of liver cysts mainly lies in regular physical examinations to detect and treat cysts in a timely manner. For small asymptomatic cysts, treatment is usually not required, but regular follow-up is required. The prevention and management of fatty liver should start with lifestyle, including weight control, reducing high-fat and high-sugar diets, and increasing aerobic exercise such as brisk walking and swimming. In terms of drug treatment, patients with fatty liver can use lipid-lowering drugs, insulin sensitizers or antioxidants such as atorvastatin, metformin or vitamin E as prescribed by the doctor. For patients with severe fatty liver, liver transplantation should be considered if necessary.

Although liver cysts and fatty liver are different in nature, both require attention. Regular physical examinations, a healthy lifestyle, and timely treatment are the keys to managing both diseases. Through scientific prevention and intervention, the risk of disease can be effectively reduced and liver health can be maintained.