Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Impact on Overall Health and Well-being

There are two types of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).
Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver
When you are diagnosed with NAFL, you have fat in your liver, but little or no inflammation and no liver damage. Although this condition can cause pain due to enlargement of the liver, it does not usually cause liver damage.
Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis
NASH is a more severe form of NAFLD. If you have NASH, you're likely to have inflammation in your liver in addition to fat, and may even lead to liver damage. This damage can cause scarring in the liver. If NASH is left untreated, it can lead to cirrhosis, which, if left untreated, can lead to liver cancer.

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In many cases of NAFLD, there are no noticeable symptoms. Common symptoms include –

• Pain In The Upper Right Part Of The Stomach
• Fatigue/Weakness
• Weight Loss
• Fluid And Swelling In The Abdomen
• Jaundice, Or Yellowing Of The Skin And Eyes

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The exact causes of NAFLD are not well understood. Currently, researchers believe that genes, certain health conditions, diet, and the digestive system may all play a role in causing it. There may be no apparent cause for a person who has non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, but there are certain lifestyle factors that may increase the chance of a NAFLD diagnosis.
Risk Factor
One of the biggest risk factors for developing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is obesity. Other causes include type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. If you have one or more of these problems, you may have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Other risk factors include:

• High Triglyceride Levels
• High Cholesterol
• Fructose Rich Diet
• Intestinal Problems

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Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease usually has no symptoms. This condition is usually diagnosed when a blood test finds liver enzyme levels higher than normal. High levels of liver enzymes may also indicate other liver diseases. If your doctor suspects NAFLD, your doctor may also check for physical symptoms, such as signs of insulin resistance and signs of cirrhosis. Ultrasound of the liver can also help detect excess fat in the liver. Another type of ultrasound, called transient elastography, measures the stiffness of your liver. More hardness indicates more lesions.

The doctor may also advise liver biopsy. In this test, the doctor inserts a needle into your abdomen and removes a small sample of liver tissue. The sample is studied in the laboratory for signs of inflammation and bruising.

Even though the side effects of NAFLD are often unnoticed, if you have symptoms such as pain, jaundice or swelling on the right side of the abdomen, see a doctor as soon as possible.

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Can Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Cause Complications?
The main risk of NAFLD is cirrhosis, which can limit your liver's ability to function. Once cirrhosis is diagnosed it cannot be cured, but there are treatment options that can slow, or stop, it. If cirrhosis is not slowed or stopped, liver failure may result, leaving a liver transplant as a last resort. Liver cancer is another possible complication of untreated cirrhosis.

There is no specific medication or procedure to treat NAFLD. Instead, it can be prevented by making several important changes in lifestyle such as –

• Reduce Weight
• Eating A Nutrient-rich Diet Rich In Vegetables, Fruits, And Whole Grains
• Limit Your Intake Of Unhealthy Fats And Added Sugars
• Increasing Physical Activity
• Managing Your Cholesterol And Blood Sugar Levels
• Abstain From Alcohol

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If you have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, making the recommended lifestyle changes may be enough to maintain good liver health over the long term. You can also prevent liver damage in the early stages of the disease. Even if you don't experience any symptoms from NAFLD, it doesn't mean the liver isn't getting injured. If you think you may be at risk for developing this condition, be sure to talk to your doctor. The good news is that a balanced lifestyle can manage NAFLD and prevent other health problems like type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol and metabolic syndrome.