What is non-alcoholic fatty liver disease?
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Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a condition in which fat deposits form in your liver cells, but not as a result of alcohol consumption. The process of fat accumulation that creates the deposits is known as steatosis and usually does not produce any symptoms or side effects. However, severe forms of NAFLD can cause the liver to swell or scar, and this is termed nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. If people with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis do not address its causes, it can eventually damage their livers or cause liver failure.
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a condition in which fat deposits form in your liver cells, but not as a result of alcohol consumption. The process of fat accumulation that creates the deposits is known as steatosis and usually does... More -
Johns Hopkins Medicine answered:Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) refers to a wide spectrum of liver disease ranging from simple fatty liver (steatosis) to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) to cirrhosis (severe scaring of the liver and loss of function).
All of the stages of NAFLD have in common the accumulation of fat in the liver cells. In NASH, the fat accumulation is associated with varying degrees of inflammation (hepatitis) and scarring of the liver. The term nonalcoholic is used because NAFLD and NASH occur in individuals who do not consume excessive amounts of alcohol. Yet, in many respects, the biopsy of an NAFLD patient is similar to what can be seen in liver disease that is due to excessive intake of alcohol.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) refers to a wide spectrum of liver disease ranging from simple fatty liver (steatosis) to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) to cirrhosis (severe scaring of the liver and loss of function). All of the... More -
Dr. Margaret Payne answered:Non -alcoholic fatty liver disease is caused by fatty infiltrations into the liver. In children, this may be seen with severe obesity and leads to inflamation and scarring of the liver. This can be severe enough to cause cirrhosis which is what is seen in alcoholic patients. In other words, the fatty infiltration can be so severe that the patient can present with the same findings as a long time alcoholic even without ever drinking an alcoholic beverage. When fatty infiltrations are seen in the liver, it is imperative that patients lose weight to prevent progression of the disease.Non -alcoholic fatty liver disease is caused by fatty infiltrations into the liver. In children, this may be seen with severe obesity and leads to inflamation and scarring of the liver. This can be severe enough to cause cirrhosis which... More
