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As you may already know, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is the most severe form of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) – the most common chronic liver disease in the world. NASH is a serious disease that can progress to chronic liver damage such as advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer. Right now, clinical research for NASH is underway, and you may be eligible to participate.
A NASH diagnosis is characterized by NAFLD with steatosis (retaining excess fatty tissue), liver cell injury, liver cell death, and inflammation. Other symptoms include:
• Loss of appetite
• Swelling in the legs
• Confusion
• Slurred speech
• Jaundice
• Abdominal discomfort
In most cases, NASH is the consequence of a diet high in fat and sugar, and a lack of physical activity. With lifestyle changes – like healthier eating and exercise – the liver can actually begin to repair itself. But if you’ve recently been diagnosed with NASH, it can be hard to know what steps to take.
For additional information and support regarding NASH, please visit one of the following advocacy sites:
Protect Against Fatty Liver Disease
• Try to maintain a healthy weight and eat sensible portions.
• Try to lose weight gradually if you’re overweight.
• Limit how much fat you eat.
• Replace saturated fats with healthier unsaturated fats, like those in fish, flaxseeds, and walnuts.
• Eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
• Avoid foods and drinks with large amounts of sugars, especially fructose. These include sweetened soft drinks, sports drinks, sweetened tea, and juices.
• Avoid heavy alcohol use. Drinking too much alcohol can have harmful effects on the liver.
• Quit smoking. Smoking may increase the chances of developing nonalcohol fatty liver disease.
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Fighting Fatty Liver
Steps Against a Silent Disease
You may not give your liver much thought. But it performs essential functions every day. Like other parts of the body, fat can build up in your liver. That may damage the liver and lead to serious health problems.
It’s normal to have some fat in your liver cells. But too much can interfere with your liver’s normal functioning. The liver acts as a filter to remove toxins from your blood. It helps digest your food. And it also helps keep your blood sugar constant, among other activities.
Fatty liver disease has become increasingly common. But it often has no symptoms. If you have symptoms, they may include fatigue and discomfort in the upper right side of your abdomen.
Fat Build Up
Certain health conditions, your genes, your diet, and your digestive system can make you more likely to develop fatty liver disease. When this happens, it is called nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
People with obesity or type 2 diabetes are at greater risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. It affects about 75% of people who carry excess weight and 90% of people with severe obesity.
Heavy alcohol consumption can also cause fatty liver disease. This is called alcohol-associated fatty liver disease.
It’s long been known that obesity and alcohol contribute to fatty liver disease. But more recently, scientists have learned that some toxins around us may also play a role.
Since then, many more chemicals have been linked to fatty liver disease. Some are found in common household products and stick around in the environment. Chemical exposures may work together with other risk factors to worsen the disease.
Finding Fatty Liver
Most people who have fatty liver disease don’t end up with liver damage. But some develop inflammation and damage in their liver cells. This stage of fatty liver disease is known as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, or NASH.
If NASH gets worse, it can cause permanent scarring and liver hardening. Liver disease at this stage is called cirrhosis. It can lead to liver failure or liver cancer.Researchers are still trying to understand why liver disease worsens in some people but not others. But you can take steps to reverse this damage. The liver has the ability to repair itself. That’s why it’s important to find fatty liver disease in an early stage.
Often, a doctor will discover fatty liver disease when running blood tests for other reasons. If you have symptoms or are at higher risk, your health care provider may want to run blood or imaging tests. These tests can help look for a fatty liver and determine how severe it is.
The only test to determine whether the disease has progressed to NASH is a liver biopsy. During a biopsy, your doctor will take a small piece of tissue from your liver. The sample is then examined for signs of inflammation or scarring.
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Undoing Early damage
The most effective fatty liver treatment involves a change in lifestyle. Weight loss is helpful.
Losing weight can also help reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in people with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
Better nutrition can help, too. Try to avoid weight gain and increase your exercise. And limit your alcohol use. Alcohol can have harmful effects on liver disease.
You might also consider washing your fruits and vegetables before eating. This can lower your exposure to pesticides.
Right now, there are no FDA-approved treatments for fatty liver disease. Studies have shown that vitamin E and diabetes medications that also cause weight loss may help patients with NASH. Several promising drugs are being tested in clinical trials.
To prevent fatty liver disease, aim for a healthy weight and drink alcohol in moderation. Understanding what counts as one drink can help you keep track, says Nagy. Learn about the different sizes of drinks.
Let us help you find a trial you may qualify for.
Answer some questions about your health to see what trials you might pre-qualify for. The more information you provide the better your chances of matching to more trials. All questions must be answered, but you can always answer not sure for now.
You are a Diabetic type 2 patient
1). Have you been diagnosed with Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) or Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)?
2). Have you had a liver biopsy to confirm a diagnosis of liver disease?
3). Do you have a history of excessive alcohol consumption?