Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is an umbrella term for a range of liver conditions affecting people who drink little to no alcohol. As the name implies, the main characteristic of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is too much fat stored in liver cells. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, a potentially serious form of the disease, is marked by liver inflammation, which may progress to scarring and irreversible damage. This damage is similar to the damage caused by heavy alcohol use. At its most severe, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis can progress to cirrhosis and liver failure Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is increasingly common around the world, especially in Western nations. In the United States, it is the most common form of chronic liver disease, affecting an estimated 80 to 100 million people. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease occurs in every age group but especially in people in their 40s and 50s who are at high risk of heart disease because of such risk factors as obesity and type 2 diabetes. The condition is also closely linked to metabolic syndrome, which is a cluster of abnormalities including increased abdominal fat, poor ability to use the hormone insulin, high blood pressure and high blood levels of triglycerides, a type of fat. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease care at Mayo Clinic Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic Symptoms & causes Aug. 23, 2016 Print Share on: Facebook Twitter References Related Magnetic resonance elastography Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease Overview Symptoms & causes Diagnosis & treatment Diagnosis Treatment Departments & specialties Expertise & rankings Locations, travel & lodging Clinical trials Research Costs & insurance Preparing for your appointment Self-management More about In-Depth Multimedia Resources News from Mayo Clinic Advertisement