Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a more severe form of fatty liver disease. It can progress to cirrhosis, liver cancer, and liver failure without treatment. The road to NASH is a long one. Many are unaware of the danger because symptoms typically will not manifest until the later stages. Various risks related to fatty liver disease are intertwined. Understanding what they are and taking action ensures the best possible future for your liver and overall health.
From Fatty Liver to NASH
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is when various factors unrelated to alcohol cause an excess accumulation of fat in the liver. A simple fatty liver will not cause any damage. However, the body’s immune system will receive an alert if fat accumulates over a certain point. The healing process uses inflammation and collagen to repair damaged liver cells. If there is no reduction in the fat content, no signal is sent to stop the repairs. The same healing process begins to damage and scar the liver until its vital functions are affected.
At-Risk for One, At-Risk for All
Some health conditions promote fat deposition in the liver. The top factors include:
- Obesity or being overweight
- Insulin resistance
- High blood sugars
- High levels of fats, particularly triglycerides, in the blood
Let’s look at the list again, but factor in how they tie into NAFLD and NASH:
- Obesity or being overweight
- NASH and NAFLD are highly prevalent in overweight populations.
- May cause sleep apnea which is a condition associated with NAFLD.
- Insulin resistance
- It can lead to diabetes and metabolic syndrome, which are associated with NAFLD.
- Insulin resistance is a symptom of PCOS. Women with PCOS have a high risk of fatty liver disease.
- High blood sugars
- This leads to prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. Between ⅓ and ⅔ of individuals with diabetes are affected by NAFLD or NASH.
- High levels of fats in the blood
- The plaque will begin to build up and form in the arteries, which leads to high blood pressure and other heart diseases.
- If more fat is being consumed than the body can use, it will store the excess.
Diabetes, obesity, and hypertension all go together. If you have any of these conditions, it puts you at risk for the others on the list and NAFLD, leading to NASH. Now that you know what causes NASH, you can take steps to protect your liver. Adopting a healthier diet, maintaining a healthy weight, and exercising regularly can positively have dramatic results.
Advance Medicine, and Take Care of Your Liver!
Signing up for a clinical trial can help determine if you may have one of these potentially silent indications as well. Synergy Healthcare has studies currently enrolling those with diabetes, NASH, heart disease, and more. Help advance medicine while you learn more about your condition and receive expert care from our study staff. Call us today to learn more at (941) 896-4948, or visit our website.
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