However, many other liver conditions can cause abnormal LFTs. For example, NAFLD develops in some people following surgery to reduce obesity. This may be due to rapid changes of fats and fatty acids in the blood that occur when weight loss is rapid. Fatty liver disease doesn’t cause major problems for most people. However, it can turn into a more serious problem if it progresses into cirrhosis of the liver. Untreated cirrhosis of the liver eventually leads to liver failure or liver cancer.
If there is doubt about the diagnosis, a specialist may arrange a small sample (biopsy) to be taken from your liver. If you have a high level of cholesterol and/or triglycerides in your blood then you have a higher risk of developing NAFLD. NAFLD is a very common disorder, occurring in about 25 percent of the global population.
Things you can do if you have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
According to the American Liver Foundation, there is no medical treatment for NAFLD, but a doctor will assess a person’s symptoms and recommend appropriate management techniques for each individual with NAFLD. A healthcare professional may also recommend speaking with a hepatologist, or liver specialist. Fatty liver is classified into the alcoholic and non-alcoholic fatty liver. Alcoholic fatty liver develops in individuals who drink alcohol whereas, in someone who doesn’t drink alcohol, the condition is referred to as non-alcoholic fatty liver.
Sometimes, hospitalization may be necessary, especially if your symptoms are severe. You might need prescription medications for alcohol https://ecosoberhouse.com/ withdrawal, such as benzodiazepines, as well. In the early stages of AFLD, it’s unlikely that you’ll experience any symptoms.
Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)
A liver transplant may be required in very severe cirrhosis. A test called a FibroScan® is increasingly being used for people with NAFLD. It can be used to detect liver scarring, including signs of cirrhosis. Currently, in the UK, it’s mainly used by hospital specialists for people who are at high risk of having liver scarring, although it might be used more widely in future. Cirrhosis is a condition where normal liver tissue is replaced by a lot of scar tissue (fibrosis). If you are obese or overweight, the main treatment advised for NAFLD is usually gradual weight loss and regular exercise.
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the term for a range of conditions caused by a build-up of fat in the liver.
- A liver biopsy can be uncomfortable, and it does have risks that your health care team will go over with you in detail.
- It’s also important to tell your healthcare professional about all the supplements and over-the-counter-meds you’re currently taking.
- It’s important to make lifestyle changes to prevent the disease from getting worse.
- The common symptoms for those who had COVID-19 included issues with taste and smell, light-headedness and dizziness.
- Many liver conditions can lead to cirrhosis, including NAFLD.
Several factors, such as obesity and diabetes, can increase your risk. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is when too much fat builds up in the liver. At first, there symptoms of alcohol related liver disease may be no symptoms, but it can lead to ongoing liver damage and other issues. You can help extend your life expectancy by treating the underlying cause of your condition.