Stages And Symptoms Of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Posted by vivek choudhary on October 16th, 2019

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the term used for a range of liver conditions affecting people who drink little to no alcohol. A healthy liver should contain little or no fat and this disease is caused when too much fat is stored in the liver cells. Generally, people who are obese or overweight are more prone to this disease. Early-stage NAFLD might not cause much harm; however, it can lead to serious liver damage, including cirrhosis, if it gets worse. A high level of fat in your liver brings along an increased risk of serious health problems, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and other kidney-related diseases. Only thebest gastroenterologist in Chandigarhshould be contacted for these diseases.

Stages of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

It is possible to stop NAFLD from getting worse if it is detected and managed at an early stage. NAFLD mainly develops in four known stages. Most people develop the first stage and don’t even realize it. However, in some rare cases, it can progress and eventually lead to liver damage if not detected and managed.

The four main stages of NAFLD are:

• Steatosis or simple fatty liver – It happens when a large harmless build-up of fat occurs in the liver cells that may only be diagnosed during tests carried out for another reason
• Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) – It is a more serious form of NAFLD, where the liver has become inflamed due to the buildup fat. 
• Fibrosis – It occurs where persistent inflammation causes scar tissue around the liver and nearby blood vessels. However, the liver is still able to function normally. 
• Cirrhosis – It is the most severe stage which occurs after years of inflammation. The liver shrinks and becomes scarred and lumpy. If this damage is permanent, it can lead to liver failure and even liver cancer. 

It might take years for fibrosis or cirrhosis to develop but it is important to make lifestyle changes to prevent the condition from getting worse.

Symptoms of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Not many symptoms are seen in the early stages of NAFLD. Unless you get tests done for other reasons at the top gastroenterologist in Chandigarh, you probably will not know you have it. However, some common symptoms faced by people with NASH or fibrosis (more advanced stages of NAFLD) include:

• Tender or aching pain in the top right of the tummy (over the lower right side of the ribs)
• Extreme tiredness or fatigue or weakness 
• Unexplained weight loss

Some more severe symptoms are yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes (jaundice), itchy skin, and swelling in the legs, ankles, feet or tummy. 

One must make an appointment with a liver specialist doctor in Chandigarh if one faces persistent signs and symptoms. He or she has to inculcate lifestyle changes to stay healthy and avoid this disease. It is better to take care from the very beginning because this disease is easy to be cured in the early stages.