Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a non-specific term for a spectrum of liver condition affecting persons who consume little to no alcohol. In this condition there’s accumulation of too much fat in the liver. It is the most common kind of chronic liver disease.
Symptoms
Usually this condition is asymptomatic but can presents as:
- Fatigue
- Pain in the upper right abdomen
- Ascites
- Enlarged blood vessels just beneath the skin’s surface
- Jaundice
- Palms become red
- Spleenomegaly
Causes
Exact cause of this condition is not known but studies show that NAFLD is linked to the following:
- Obesity
- Insulin resistance
- Hyperglycemia
- High levels of fats especially triglycerides in the body
Complications
- Esophageal varices
- Liver cancer
- Ascites
- Hepatic encephalopathy characterized by Confusion, drowsiness and slurred speech
- End-stage liver failure
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of this condition depends upon detailed medical history and complete general physical examination of the patient. Other tests include:
- Blood tests
- Liver function test
- Celiac disease screening test
- Tests for chronic viral hepatitis
- Fasting blood sugar test
- Lipid profile
- Imaging tests like CT scan, MRI, Transient elastography, Magnetic resonance elastography
- Liver biopsy
Treatment
- Mainly treatment is considered by losing weight with healthy diet and exercise.
- Improvement in the risk factors
- Weight loss surgery is also an option.
- Controlling diabetes