What is non-alcoholic steatohepatitis? Symptoms, tips to prevent fatty liver disease
A disturbing trend that doctors are now noticing is an increase in the number of people suffering from non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a lifestyle-related fatty liver disease. Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis happens as a result of fat build-up in the liver. The inflammation and liver cell damage that occur with NASH can be much more serious than simple fatty liver disease. There are two types of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: simple fatty liver and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.
It is estimated that about 9% to 32% of the general population suffers from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in India. There is a perception that drinking too much alcohol is the main reason behind fatty liver disease, however, this is not true. NASH is an example of a dangerous liver disorder that occurs due to poor lifestyle habits. The exact cause of NASH is not known, however, experts believe that there could be something in the environment that triggers inflammation in people with a build-up of fat in the liver, as per Stanford Health Care, adding that the condition may also run in their families. Other risk factors include obesity, high cholesterol, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes, etc.
What are the signs and symptoms of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis?
People may have no signs in the initial stages of NASH, but as the disease progresses and liver damage worsens, they may experience the following symptoms:
- Fatigue and weakness
- An ache in the upper right part of your belly
- Unexplained weight loss
How serious is non-alcoholic steatohepatitis?
As more of your healthy liver tissue is replaced with scar tissue, your liver will stop functioning properly, resulting in cirrhosis. Once cirrhosis, which is the late stage of scarring (fibrosis), sets in, the liver can be difficult to treat, said Dr Vikram Raut, Consultant, HPB & Liver Transplant Surgery, Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai.
People who are suffering from cirrhosis of the liver often experience the following symptoms:
- Bruising
- Yellowing of the skin
- Orange-coloured urine
- Fluid retention in the abdomen (ascites)
- Swelling in the legs
- Sudden weight loss
People with NASH typically have other serious health issues such as diabetes, obesity, high cholesterol, and coronary artery disease. Body Mass Index is an important clue to detect NASH - when there is an imbalance in the BMI, liver screening needs to be done to rule out fatty liver disease, although the condition is also reported in lean people.
Treatment for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis includes medication to help control or reverse liver damage caused by NASH, as well as managing health conditions that can make this condition worse.