By Alan S. Peterson, MD

What Is Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)?

NAFLD is a build up of fat in the liver. NAFLD can be harmless, but it may cause the liver to swell and cause other liver problems. It is a common condition that has many causes, including some drugs and genetic disorders. The most common causes of NAFLD are obesity, diabetes, and high cholesterol levels. It is not caused by drinking alcohol. If you have a liver disease caused by alcohol, it is called Alcoholic Liver Disease.

How Can My Doctor Tell if I Have NAFLD?

If you have NAFLD, you may feel fullness or pain in the right side of your abdomen (belly). Most people do not have any symptoms at all. Your doctor may check your blood and order a scan of your liver. Almost always there is some elevation of your liver enzymes with NAFLD. Remember, many medications and medical conditions can also cause mild elevations of liver enzymes.

What Can I Expect?

For most people, NAFLD is harmless and does not cause serious health problems. NAFLD usually does not affect how well the liver works. In a few people, NAFLD may stop the liver from working correctly. No one can tell who will have problems in the future from this illness in an individual. It is more likely to happen in people with diabetes or who are very overweight. If your doctor thinks you may have a more serious liver disease, in rare instances, he may suggest that you see a gastroenterologist (a GI doctor who specializes in liver disease). That physician may order further testing of your liver including scans and rarely a liver biopsy.

How Is NAFLD Treated?

People with NAFLD usually do not need treatment. The most important thing is to focus on what has led to the NAFLD. In other words, losing weight slowly (one to two pounds per week) may reduce the amount of fat in your liver. Losing weight quickly may make NAFLD worse. Also, patients who lose weight more quickly may develop other problems such as gall stones. If your cholesterol levels and sugar levels are high, your doctor may give you medicine to lower them and this may in turn help your NAFLD.