NAFLD (Fatty Liver)
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease refers to a broad category of liver pathologies that are characterized by an abnormally high amount of fat stored in the liver. The ‘nonalcoholic’ part implies that people with NAFLD have little to no alcohol use. Too much fat stored in your liver starts decreasing its functionality and eventually damages it.
Despite the increasing trend in fitness and health maintenance, NAFLD is becoming increasingly prevalent, especially in Western countries. Unfortunately, NAFLD is the most common liver pathology in the United States, affecting a huge 25% of the population.
Complications of NAFLD include liver cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) and liver failure. These issues are similar to those caused by the heavy use of alcohol.
Symptoms Associated With NAFLD
For the majority of us, NAFLD is a benign condition, i.e., it doesn’t show any specific symptoms until late into disease progression. You might feel fatigued, have occasional nausea, vomiting, and pain in the upper right abdomen. However, when there are other complications like nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) or advanced liver cirrhosis, you might have some more specific and serious symptoms. NASH is an aggressive (serious) form of fatty liver disease, which is characterized by extensive liver inflammation and may develop into liver scarring (cirrhosis) and eventually liver failure.
A symptom associated with an aggressive form of NAFLD is called ascites. Ascites is a serious condition in which excessive fluid accumulates in your abdomen. You may also see torturous veins showing on your belly skin. Other symptoms that may be related to NAFLD are jaundice, i.e., yellowing of the skin, enlarged or tender spleen, and/or esophageal bleeding.
Causes and Risk Factors Associated With NAFLD
Currently, there is no single method of how a person develops NAFLD. The most common method is that your liver gets filled up with a lot more fat than it can store or process, resulting in dysfunction.
Nevertheless, you should know that the following variables have quite a high association with NAFLD and NASH. The first and foremost association is obesity or being overweight. Obesity can be a major cause of a lot of metabolic disorders, including NAFLD. Another important association is hyperglycemia, which refers to abnormally high glucose levels in your blood. High blood sugar levels can cause excessive fat deposition in the liver, leading to fatty liver disease. Diseases like hypercholesterolemia, polycystic ovarian syndrome, hypothyroidism, and hypopituitarism can also cause this issue. Lack of physical activity and regular exercise along with a poor diet can also lead to NAFLD.
Fatty Liver Disease Treatment in Queens, New York
If you experience frequent fatigue, pain in your abdomen, or any serious symptoms like jaundice, call us today at (718) 291-0488, or book your appointment online at our private clinic in Jamaica Plains, New York.
