Sandbox:Gunnam
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Vamsikrishna Gunnam M.B.B.S [2]
Overview
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease [NAFLD] is due to the deposition of extra fat in liver cells that is not caused by alcohol. It is normal for the liver to contain some fat. However, when there is more than 5% - 10% percent of the liver’s weight is fat, then it is called a fatty liver (steatosis).NAFLD is marked by inflammation that can progress to irreversible damage.It is similar to the damage caused by alcohol consumption in most of the cases. It is estimated that in united states approximately 80 to 100 million people are affected.The most common age for NAFLD to effect is in the age group 2-19 and 40-50 years.It is most commonly seen in Hispanic population when compared to Caucasian and African American populations[1]
Risk Factors
- NAFLD is related to obesity which will result in insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome.[2]
- It is estimated that approximately 80% of the obese people suffer from NAFLD.[3]
- Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus are more prone to develop Nafld[4][5]
Signs and Symptoms
Usually, Nafdl [Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease] presents with no or few symptoms and sighs but when it does it shows the following[6]
- Liver will be enlarged
- Patients presents with fatigue
- Abdominal swelling (ascites)
- Enlarged breasts in men ( due to decreased estrogen clearance by liver damage )
- Pain in the upper right abdomen
- Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)