From the Guidelines
Fatty liver disease itself does not typically cause coughing, and coughing is more likely related to other conditions such as respiratory infections, asthma, acid reflux, or heart issues. Fatty liver disease, whether alcoholic or non-alcoholic (NAFLD), mainly causes symptoms like fatigue, abdominal discomfort, or no symptoms at all in early stages 1. The primary focus for managing NAFLD is lifestyle modification, including diet and exercise, as stated in the AGA clinical practice update 1.
Some key points to consider in the management of NAFLD include:
- Lifestyle modification using diet and exercise to achieve weight loss is beneficial for all patients with NAFLD 1
- Weight loss of 5% of total body weight can decrease hepatic steatosis, weight loss of 7% of total body weight can lead to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis resolution, and weight loss of 10% of total body weight can result in fibrosis regression or stability 1
- A hypocaloric diet and regular physical activity should be considered for patients with NAFLD, with a target of 150–300 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75–150 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise per week 1
In advanced liver disease (cirrhosis), complications like fluid accumulation in the abdomen (ascites) or lungs (pleural effusion) might indirectly contribute to breathing difficulties or coughing, but this represents severe progression of liver disease. If you have fatty liver disease and are experiencing coughing, it's essential to consult with a healthcare provider to determine the actual cause of your cough, as it likely requires separate evaluation and treatment from your liver condition.
From the Research
Hepatic Steatosis and Coughing
- There is no direct evidence in the provided studies to suggest that hepatic steatosis (fatty liver disease) can cause coughing 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- The studies primarily focus on the epidemiology, risk factors, diagnosis, and management of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its complications, such as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma.
- The potential symptoms and manifestations of NAFLD discussed in the studies include abnormal aminotransferases, incidental radiographic findings of fatty liver, and liver-related complications, but coughing is not mentioned as a symptom or complication of hepatic steatosis 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- Therefore, based on the available evidence, it appears that there is no established link between hepatic steatosis and coughing.