Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)

Description

An umbrella term for a range of liver conditions affecting people who drink little to no alcohol. The main characteristic is too much fat stored in liver cells. A more serious form, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), involves liver inflammation and can progress to cirrhosis and liver failure.

Common Symptoms

• Often has no symptoms
• When symptoms occur, they may include: fatigue
• Pain or discomfort in the upper right abdomen
• In advanced stages (cirrhosis): abdominal swelling, enlarged spleen, jaundice.

Common Causes

• The exact cause is unknown. It is strongly linked with obesity, insulin resistance, high blood sugar (hyperglycemia), and high levels of fats, particularly triglycerides, in the blood.

Treatment Information