K.N.O.W. Home Health - FATTY LIVER DISEASE

FATTY LIVER DISEASE

What is Fatty Liver Disease?

Fatty liver disease is a condition where extra fat builds up in your liver. Your liver is an important organ that helps clean your blood, stores energy, and helps with digestion. When too much fat is in your liver, it can stop working well.

There are two main kinds of fatty liver disease:

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): This is not caused by drinking alcohol.
Alcoholic fatty liver disease: This is caused by drinking too much alcohol.

What Causes Fatty Liver Disease?

Fatty liver disease can be caused by:

Being overweight
Eating unhealthy foods
Having diabetes or high cholesterol
Drinking too much alcohol
Not exercising enough
Taking certain medications

What Are the Symptoms?

Many people with fatty liver disease do not feel sick. But some people may:

Feel tired or weak
Have pain in the upper right side of the belly
Lose weight without trying
Have yellow skin or eyes (a sign of serious liver damage)

How Can I Take Care of Myself?

Here are ways to help reduce fat in your liver and keep it healthy:

Diet Tips:

Eat more vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.
Avoid fried, greasy, and sugary foods.
Drink lots of water.
Avoid alcohol completely.

Exercise Tips:

Move your body every day. Even walking helps.
Try to get 30 minutes of activity most days of the week.

Weight Tips:

If you are overweight, losing even 5-10% of your weight can help your liver.
Talk to your nurse or doctor about safe ways to lose weight.

Special Precautions or Considerations

Avoid alcohol even if your fatty liver is not caused by drinking.
Take medications only as directed by your doctor.
Don’t take any new vitamins or herbs unless your doctor says it’s okay.
Go to your regular checkups.

When to Call Your Home Health Nurse or Doctor

Call your nurse or doctor if you:

Feel very tired for no reason
Have pain in your belly
Lose weight quickly without trying
Feel confused or forget things often
Have swelling in your belly or legs

When to Call 911 or Go to the Emergency Room

Call 911 or go to the ER if you:

Throw up blood or see blood in your poop
Your skin or eyes turn yellow suddenly
Have very bad belly pain that doesn’t go away
Feel dizzy or faint

Patient Homework / Assessment

Instructions: Read each statement. Circle True or False. Correct all False statements

True / False – Fatty liver disease happens when fat builds up in the liver.
True / False – Only people who drink alcohol can get fatty liver disease.
True / False – Eating lots of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains is good for fatty liver disease.
True / False – The liver helps clean your blood and store energy.
True / False – Most people with fatty liver disease feel very sick all the time.
True / False – Losing a small amount of weight can help improve fatty liver disease.
True / False – It’s okay to drink alcohol if your fatty liver was not caused by alcohol.
True / False – You should avoid greasy, fried, and sugary foods with fatty liver disease.
True / False – Exercise can help reduce the fat in your liver.
True / False – People with fatty liver should try to sit and rest most of the day.
True / False – You should always ask your doctor before taking new medicine or herbs.
True / False – Going to your regular check-ups is important for managing fatty liver disease.
True / False – Swelling in your belly or legs can be a sign that your liver is getting worse.
True / False – You should call your doctor if you feel tired all the time or have belly pain.
True / False – Throwing up blood is not a serious problem.
True / False – Yellow skin or eyes can be a sign of serious liver damage.
True / False – Drinking lots of soda helps your liver work better.
True / False – Fast food is healthy for people with fatty liver disease.
True / False – Fatty liver disease can be improved by healthy eating and exercise.
True / False – You should call 911 or go to the ER if you have very bad belly pain or pass out.

ASSESSMENT of WELL-BEING INDIVIDUALIZED PATIENT HOMEWORK

Symptom Identification:
“Have you noticed feeling very tired, having pain in the upper right side of your belly, or any yellowing of your skin or eyes?”

Activity Impact / Safety:
“Do your symptoms, like fatigue or discomfort, make it harder for you to do your daily activities safely or keep up with your usual routine?”

Treatment Adherence:
“Are you following your doctor’s advice about taking medicines, eating a healthy diet, and staying active to help your liver?”

Preventive Measures:
“Are you avoiding alcohol, eating fewer fatty and sugary foods, and keeping a healthy weight to protect your liver from getting worse?”