Feature Blog Article
NASH and the Roller-Coaster of Emotions
Meet David Frank, ALF National Board Member, caregiver and passionate advocate. September 2014 will be forever etched in his memory, a roller-coaster of emotions in ...
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the build up of extra fat in liver cells that is not caused by alcohol. It is normal for the liver to contain some fat. However, if more than 5% – 10% percent of the liver’s weight is fat, then it is called a fatty liver (steatosis). The more severe form of NAFLD is called nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). NASH causes the liver to swell and become damaged.
Support for this video was provided by Scientific Animations and the Allergan Foundation
- About 100 million individuals in the United States are estimated to have Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.
- Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), is the most common form of liver disease in children and has more than doubled over the past 20 years.
Who is likely to have Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease?
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease tends to develop in people who are overweight or obese or have diabetes, high cholesterol or high triglycerides. Rapid weight loss and poor eating habits also may lead to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
However, some people develop non-alcoholic fatty liver disease even if they do not have any risk factors. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease affects up to 25% of people in the United States.
Read how Nick Giordano, a marathon runner, was diagnosed with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
What are the risks?
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease may cause the liver to swell (steatohepatitis). A swollen liver may cause scarring (cirrhosis) over time and may even lead to liver cancer or liver failure.
What are the symptoms?
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease often has no symptoms.
When symptoms occur, they may include fatigue, weakness, weight loss, loss of appetite, nausea, abdominal pain, spider-like blood vessels, yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), itching, fluid build up and swelling of the legs (edema) and abdomen (ascites), and mental confusion.
How is it diagnosed?
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is initially suspected if blood tests show high levels of liver enzymes. However, other liver diseases are first ruled out through additional tests. Often, an ultrasound is used to confirm the Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease diagnosis.
How is it treated?
There are no medical treatments yet for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly may help prevent liver damage from starting or reverse it in the early stages.
- See a doctor who specializes in the liver regularly
- Talk to your doctor about ways to improve your liver health
- Lose weight, if you are overweight or obese
- Lower your cholesterol and triglycerides
- Control your diabetes
- Avoid alcohol
How can it be prevented?
There are ways to prevent non-alcoholic fatty liver disease:
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Eat a healthy diet
- Exercise regularly
- Limit alcohol intake
- Only take medicines that you need and follow dosing recommendations.
- What condition do I have that suggests NAFLD?
- Can NAFLD be reversed? How long can this process take?
- Do I have cirrhosis or scarring of the liver?
- If I do have cirrhosis – how far has the scarring progressed?
- What kinds of lifestyle changes and diet can I make?
- Would it be possible to be connected to a registered dietitian or nutritionist to make a specific meal plan?
- What kinds of physical activities would be OK for me to do?
- Is there a treatment or medication for NAFLD? Are there any clinical trials?
- Will losing weight help me to get rid of this disease?
NASH Support Group on Facebook
Visit the American Liver Foundation Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) support group on Facebook. For more details, click here…
Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Nurses Education Series: NAFLD, NASH and Cirrhosis
This video is part of the American Liver Foundation Nurses Education Series - Session #1. Learn about NASH, NAFLD and Cirrhosis in this professional education series for Nurses and Advanced Practice Nurses presented by Allysa Sagesse, MSN, AGPCNP-BC, Danielle Staub, MS, RD, CDN and Sonal Kumar, MD, MPH, moderated by ...
Tom’s NAFLD/NASH Story
This video was created by the American Liver Foundation, which is solely responsible for its content. It was made possible through a generous educational grant by the Allergan Foundation ...
Tony’s NAFLD Story
This video was created by the American Liver Foundation, which is solely responsible for its content. It was made possible through a generous educational grant by the Allergan Foundation ...
Fatty Liver Disease From a Bariatric Surgeon’s Perspective
Date Recorded April 9, 2019 Program An American Liver Foundation webinar aired April 9th, 2019 featuring Dr. Makram Gedeon, MD, Bristol Hospital Multi-Specialty Group and ALF Community Outreach and Education Manager, Connecticut Division, Donna Sciacca. Who Should Watch Medical professionals, patients and caregivers of people who have fatty liver disease ...
Ask the Experts Webinar: Updates in Management of Chronic Liver Disease
Date Recorded March 4, 2019 Program An American Liver Foundation webinar aired March 4th, 2019 featuring Dr. Eric W. Chak, MPH, Assistant Professor of Clinical Internal Medicine, UC Davis Medical Center, Dr. Alicia Gonzalez-Flores, Associate Physician, Internal Medicine, UC Davis Medical Center, Dr. Souvik Sarkar, PhD, Assistant Professor, Director of ...
What You Need to Know About Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Presented by Dr. Wajahat Mehal and Jessica Dean, RD, CDN
Program An American Liver Foundation webinar aired November 7, 2018 featuring Dr. Wajahat Mehal, Professor of Medicine at Yale University School of Medicine and Director of the Yale Weight Loss Program, Jessica Dean, Registered Dietician, Certified Dietician Nutritionist, Yale New Haven Health's Fatty Liver Clinic and moderated by Jonathan Martin, ...
Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis
A doctor explains NAFLD/NASH
This video was created by the American Liver Foundation, which is solely responsible for its content. It was made possible through a generous educational grant by the Allergan Foundation ...
Fatty Liver Disease From a Bariatric Surgeon’s Perspective
Date Recorded April 9, 2019 Program An American Liver Foundation webinar aired April 9th, 2019 featuring Dr. Makram Gedeon, MD, Bristol Hospital Multi-Specialty Group and ALF Community Outreach and Education Manager, Connecticut Division, Donna Sciacca. Who Should Watch Medical professionals, patients and caregivers of people who have fatty liver disease ...
How did you first hear about NAFLD or NASH?
This video was created by the American Liver Foundation, which is solely responsible for its content. It was made possible through a generous educational grant by the Allergan Foundation ...
What symptoms have you experienced with NAFLD/NASH?
This video was created by the American Liver Foundation, which is solely responsible for its content. It was made possible through a generous educational grant by the Allergan Foundation ...
What advice do you have for those recently diagnosed with NASH?
This video was created by the American Liver Foundation, which is solely responsible for its content. It was made possible through a generous educational grant by the Allergan Foundation ...
International NASH Day Webinar
This video features Dr. Tuan Pham from the University of Utah who discusses the current the landscape of NASH, as well as NASH Caregiver David Frank, who lost his mother to this disease ...
Tom’s NAFLD/NASH Story
This video was created by the American Liver Foundation, which is solely responsible for its content. It was made possible
There are many different types of liver disease. But no matter what type you have, the damage to your liver is likely to progress in a similar way.
Whether your liver is infected with a virus, injured by chemicals, or under attack from your own immune system, the basic danger is the same – that your liver will become so damaged that it can no longer work to keep you alive.
Cirrhosis, liver cancer, and liver failure are serious conditions that can threaten your life. Once you have reached these stages of liver disease, your treatment options may be very limited.
That’s why it’s important to catch liver disease early, in the inflammation and fibrosis stages. If you are treated successfully at these stages, your liver may have a chance to heal itself and recover.
Talk to your doctor about liver disease. Find out if you are at risk or if you should undergo any tests or vaccinations.
Clinical trials are research studies that test how well new medical approaches work in people. Before an experimental treatment can be tested on human subjects in a clinical trial, it must have shown benefit in laboratory testing or animal research studies. The most promising treatments are then moved into clinical trials, with the goal of identifying new ways to safely and effectively prevent, screen for, diagnose, or treat a disease.
Speak with your doctor about the ongoing progress and results of these trials to get the most up-to-date information on new treatments. Participating in a clinical trial is a great way to contribute to curing, preventing and treating liver disease and its complications.
Start your search here to find clinical trials that need people like you.
Last Updated on September 22, 2021
Share this page
