The coroner’s report into George Michael’s death cited ‘fatty liver’. There are two main causes of a fatty liver: drinking too much alcohol which can cause alcohol related liver disease or being overweight which can cause non-alcohol related fatty liver disease. The UK is currently seeing huge increases in the numbers affected by fatty liver disease and this is because as a nation many of us are overweight and many of us are drinking too much alcohol.
Andrew Langford, Chief Executive of the British Liver Trust said:
“We are saddened to hear that a fatty liver may have contributed to George Michael’s untimely death. Many people in the UK are unaware of the risk factors that cause liver disease. More than one in five of us are at risk and in the early stages there are no symptoms. It’s important that all of us are aware of the risk factors of liver disease, the importance of eating a nutritious balanced diet and maintaining a healthy weight and not drinking too much alcohol. In addition some people with autoimmune and genetic liver diseases may also develop "fatty liver" and should be monitored for this".
If anyone is concerned and wants to know their risk of liver disease, the British Liver Trust's very easy to complete Love Your Liver questionnaire will analyse lifestyle risks and give guidance and information on what to do if at risk www.loveyourliver.org.uk.
More information about fatty liver can also be found at www.britishlivertrust.org.uk