Posted By:Dr. Beth Browne, MD
Posted On:March, 06th 2009
Category: Health
Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease ( NAFLD) is caused by a build up of fat in the liver and progress to Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis ( NASH). After a period of time, the fatty build up in the liver NAFLD can progress to NASH, which means inflammation in the liver is present and is causing damage. Most of us are familiar with the term Liver Cirrhosis, which we here about in patients with excess alcohol intake or chronic hepatitis. Just as these types of liver cirrhosis, NASH can lead to fatal consequences. The exact cause of NAFLD and NASH is not yet known, but it is seen most commonly in people who are middle-aged, obese, have high cholesterol and triglycerides, and/or have diabetes. It is also associated with the conditions of metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance. It is diagnosed by a liver biopsy. Since it is slow in progression in the beginning, a patient may be asymptomatic. As liver damage progresses, more severe symptoms may occur and liver tests may be elevated. Ultrasound and CT studies are often useful in the diagnosis, but the sensitivity of these studies is low. Weight loss remains the standard of care for the treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, since no medicine has yet been proven beneficial in treatment. It is also important to lower cholesterol and triglycerides as well as keep diabetes under good control. Until there is more known about these conditions and better screening is available, we must use preventative measures such as weight loss and exercise to avoid the development and progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Beth Baines Browne, MD Director of Non-Surgical Weight Loss, Nutrition Solutions