Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Overview
Learn About Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a buildup of excessive fat in the liver that can lead to liver damage resembling the damage caused by alcohol abuse, but that occurs in people who do not drink heavily. The liver is a part of the digestive system that helps break down food, store energy, and remove waste products, including toxins. The liver normally contains some fat; an individual is considered to have a fatty liver (hepatic steatosis) if the liver contains more than 5 to 10 percent fat.
The specific causes of NAFLD are unclear. Genetic variations and environmental factors contribute to the development of this complex disorder.
Common conditions include: Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH)
NAFLD is a very common disorder, occurring in about 25 percent of the global population. Its prevalence is increasing along with the rising prevalence of obesity in industrialized societies, and it is now the most common chronic liver disorder in Western countries, including the United States. NAFLD is more prevalent in individuals of Hispanic, Native American, or Asian ancestry than in individuals of European or African ancestry.
An increased risk of developing NAFLD can be passed through generations in families, but the inheritance pattern is unknown. Variations in several genes as well as lifestyle and environmental factors contribute to the risk of developing this complex disorder.
Lexington Health Inc
Stacie Boyer is a Family Medicine provider in Lexington, South Carolina. Dr. Boyer and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Her top areas of expertise are High Cholesterol, Hypertension, Glucocorticoid-Remediable Aldosteronism, and Familial Hypertension. Dr. Boyer is currently accepting new patients.
Lexington Health Inc
Christopher Wicker is an Internal Medicine provider in Lexington, South Carolina. Dr. Wicker and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. His top areas of expertise are Hypertension, Glucocorticoid-Remediable Aldosteronism, Familial Hypertension, and Urinary Tract Infection in Children. Dr. Wicker is currently accepting new patients.
Lexington Health Inc
Daniel Dunbar is a Family Medicine provider in Lexington, South Carolina. Dr. Dunbar and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. His top areas of expertise are Familial Hypertension, Glucocorticoid-Remediable Aldosteronism, Hypertension, and Low Sodium Level. Dr. Dunbar is currently accepting new patients.
Background: At least 30% of Americans have fatty liver disease. This means that they store too much fat in the liver. At the moment lifestyle changes are the only way to treat this problem.
Summary: In the Netherlands, there are many people with type 2 diabetes. More than half of these people also have fatty liver. This is a build-up of fat in the liver and can lead to long-term scarring and even death of the liver. Losing weight can help reduce this. Losing weight can be done with medication such as Mysimba®, which is often prescribed to people with type 2 diabetes, but losing weight can als...
Published Date: November 01, 2016
Published By: National Institutes of Health