What is Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease? Know the symptoms, causes, treatment and more
New Delhi : Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the types of fatty liver which occurs when fat is deposited (steatosis) in the liver due to causes other than excessive alcohol use. Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is the most extreme form of NAFLD. NAFLD is the most common liver disorder in developed countries.NASH is regarded as a major cause of cirrhosis of the liver of unknown cause.Most people have a good outcome if the condition is caught in its early stages
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is increasingly common around the world, especially in Western nations. In the United States, it is the most common form of chronic liver disease, affecting an estimated 80 to 100 million people. About 12 to 25% of people in the United States have NAFLD, while NASH affects between 2 and 5% of people in the United States
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease Signs and symptoms
Most people with NAFLD have few or no symptoms. When it does, they may include:
Enlarged liver
Fatigue
Pain in the upper right abdomen
Signs and symptoms of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis
Abdominal swelling (ascites)
Enlarged blood vessels just beneath the skin's surface
Enlarged breasts in men
Enlarged spleen
Red palms
Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
Causes of Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
The common risk factors of NAFLD are hypertriglyceridemia, obesity and type II diabetes. Older age have higher severity and rates of NAFLD.
Risk factors of Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
High cholesterol
High levels of triglycerides in the blood
Metabolic syndrome
Obesity, particularly when fat is concentrated in the abdomen
Healthy diet and lifestyle for Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
1. Lose weight
2. Eat a healthy diet – try to have a balanced diet high in fruits, vegetables, protein and carbohydrates, but low in fat, sugar and salt; eating smaller portions of food can help, too
3. Exercise regularly –walking or cycling, a week; all types of exercise can help improve NAFLD
4. Stop smoking – if you smoke, stopping can help reduce your risk of problems such as heart attacks and strokes
Input from Agencies and Wikipedia
