Non fatty liver

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Definition

What is non-alcoholic fatty liver?

Non-alcoholic fatty liver is a condition in which there is too much fat stored in the liver cells, however this occurs in people who do not drink alcohol or drink only a small amount of alcohol.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is a potentially serious form of disease, characterized by severe inflammation of the liver (which can develop into irreparable injury and damage). This damage is similar to the damage caused by heavy alcohol use.

At its worst, this condition can progress to cirrhosis and liver failure. If the process is not interrupted, cirrhosis can lead to:

• a buildup of fluid in the stomach (ascites)
• swelling of blood vessels in the esophagus (esophageal varices), which can rupture and bleed
• confusion, drowsiness and slurred speech (hepatic encephalopathy)
• heart cancer
• end-stage liver failure, which means the liver has stopped functioning

How common is non-alcoholic fatty liver?

This condition is very common. It can affect patients of any age, especially people in their 40s and 50s who are at high risk of developing heart disease due to risk factors such as obesity and type II diabetes. This can be overcome by reducing your risk factors. Talk to your doctor for more information.

Signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of non-alcoholic fatty liver?

Common symptoms of non-alcoholic fatty liver are:

• enlarged liver
• fatigue
• pain in the upper right abdomen

Possible signs and symptoms of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and cirrhosis (serious injury) include:

• swelling of the stomach (ascites)
• enlargement of the blood vessels just below the surface of the skin
• breast enlargement in men
• enlarged spleen
• red palms
• yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)

There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about certain symptoms, consult your doctor.

When should I see a doctor?

If you experience any of the signs or symptoms listed above, or have any questions, please consult your doctor. Everyone's body reacts differently. It is always best to discuss what is best for your situation with your doctor.

Cause

What causes non-alcoholic fatty liver?

NAFLD is a metabolic syndrome characterized by diabetes, or pre-diabetes (insulin resistance), being overweight or obese, an increase in blood fats such as cholesterol and triglycerides, and high blood pressure. Not all patients present with the metabolic syndrome. It is not known what causes NASH. The investigators focused on several factors that may be associated with the development of NASH. This includes:

• oxidative stress (imbalance between pro-oxidant and anti-oxidant chemicals that causes liver cell damage)
• production and release of toxic inflammatory proteins (cytokines) by the patient's own inflammatory cells, liver cells, or fat cells
• necrosis, or death of liver cells, is called apoptosis
• inflammation of adipose tissue (fat tissue) and infiltration of white blood cells
• gut microbiota (gut bacteria) which can be thought of as a cause of liver inflammation

Risk factors

What increases my risk for non-alcoholic fatty liver?

There are many risk factors for non-alcoholic fatty liver, including:

• high cholesterol
• high blood triglyceride levels
• metabolic syndrome
• obesity, especially if fat is concentrated in the stomach
• polycystic ovary syndrome
• sleep apnea
• type II diabetes
• underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)
• underactive pituitary gland (hypoputuitarism)
• elderly people

Medicines & Medicines

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

How is non-alcoholic fatty liver diagnosed?

There is no single test that can diagnose NASH. The doctor will ask about other health problems you have had.

Blood test

• complete blood count
• liver enzyme and liver function tests
• testing for chronic viral hepatitis (hepatitis A, hepatitis C and others)
• celiac disease screening test
• fasting blood sugar
• hemoglobin A1C, which shows how stable your blood sugar is
• lipid profile, which measures blood fats, such as cholesterol and triglycerides

Imaging procedures

• Plain ultrasound, which is often the initial test when liver disease is suspected.
• Computerized tomography (CT) scanning or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) stomach. These techniques lack the ability to differentiate steatohepatitis from nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, but they can still be used.
• Transient elastography, an enhanced form of ultrasound that measures liver stiffness. Liver stiffness indicates fibrosis or injury.
• Magnetic resonance elastography, which combines resonance imaging with patterns formed from sound waves bouncing off the liver to create a visual map showing the stiffness gradient across the liver, reflecting fibrosis or injury.

Liver tissue examination

If no conclusions are drawn from other tests, an examination of the liver tissue may be recommended, which is a procedure to take a tissue sample from the liver (liver biopsy). Tissue samples are examined in a laboratory for signs of inflammation and injury. A liver biopsy can be painful for some patients, and there is a small risk that the doctor will review in detail. This procedure is performed by inserting a needle through the abdominal wall and into the liver.

What are the treatments for non-alcoholic fatty liver?

Treatment for NASH includes treating conditions that increase your risk or make NASH worse. You can:

• lowering total cholesterol levels
• achieve a healthy weight — losing 3% to 10% of your total body weight can make a difference
• controlling diabetes
• stopping or cutting back on drinking alcohol
• regular exercise

Home remedies

What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be done to treat non-alcoholic fatty liver?

The following lifestyle and home remedies can help you deal with non-alcoholic fatty liver:

• maintain a healthy body weight
• eat a healthy diet
• regular exercise
• limit alcohol intake
• use only the medicines needed and follow the recommended dosage

If you have any questions, consult your doctor to understand the best solution for you.