Definition and symptoms
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis is a condition in which excess fat in the liver causes inflammation and damage. Most patients have no symptoms and are unaware that they have a liver problem.
Symptoms appear when there is damage to the liver or cirrhosis and cause weight loss, fatigue and weakness, right upper quadrant abdominal discomfort, or abdominal bloating from fluid accumulation, and yellowing of the skin or eyes.
Risk factors
Risk factors include age, obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome.
Diagnostics
NASH is differentiated from fatty liver disease during a liver biopsy. No blood tests or scans are able to make this differentiation at this time.
Treatment
There is currently no specific treatment for NASH. The most important recommendations for patients with NASH are to lose weight, follow a healthy diet, increase your exercise, avoid alcohol, and avoid unnecessary medication.
Our providers
Expert gastroenterology care
Getting the care you need starts with seeing one of our gastroenterologists.