By Dr. Corazon Entero-Lim
Getting to Know Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a term that may refer to a range of diseases involving the liver and affecting people who drink little to no alcohol. As the term suggests, it has something to do with the fat cells stored in the liver cells.
NAFLD is increasingly becoming common in Western countries. It is said that in the United States, it has become the most common liver disease. About 25% of US population is affected by NAFLD.
People with NAFLD may end up with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which is an aggressive form of NAFLD. It is characterized with liver inflammation and may progress to cirrhosis or liver damage. The damage may be similar to alcohol use.
The scary part of NAFLD is that there are no signs and symptoms but one can suspect NAFLD if a person feels unexplained fatigue and pain in the area where the liver is.
NASH symptoms may include cirrhosis, abdominal swelling, enlarged blood vessels just beneath the skin, enlarged spleen, red palms, and jaundice.
Experts don’t know why NAFLD happens and why fat accumulate in the liver in some people and the same does not happen in other persons.
It is not fully understood why some cases of NAFLD become inflammed or develop into cirrhosis.
NAFLD and NASH are linked to obesity, insulin resistance and eventually type 2 diabetes. Insulin resistance is a condition that leads to high sugar levels. NAFLD and NASH are also linked with high cholesterol.
The combination of the conditions may lead to the deposits of fats in the liver cells. In some cases, the fat may act as a toxin in the liver, causing liver inflammation, which may end up with cirrhosis.
Aside from diabetes and high cholesterol, some people that suffer from NAFLD and NASH may suffer from polycystic ovary syndrome, sleep apnea, thyroid problems, or underperforming pituitary glands.
NASH is likely to happen. In older people that have type 2 diabetes. People with fatty abdomen and high body fat may also be at risk of developing NAFLD and NASH.
Doctors may find it difficult to differentiate between NAFLD and NASH without testing.
The main complication of NAFLD and NASH is cirrhosis, which is late stage liver scarring in the liver.
The cirrhosis happens as a response to liver injury such as inflammation due to NASH.
As the liver tries to stop the inflammation, scarring occurs. It becomes a problem when the scarring affects a large part of the liver.
If nothing is done to stop the scarring, fluids may build-up, swelling of the esophagus veins may also happen, which may rupture, including drowsiness, and slurred speech.
NAFLD and NASH may lead to liver cancer or liver failure.
To prevent NAFLD and NASH, eat less meat and more vegetables and fiber-rich foods.
Losing weight and having regular exercise will help lower the risk of contracting NAFLD and NASH.
If you are at risk, it is best to have your liver checked through blood tests, which can be ordered by your doctor.