Fatty Liver, NAFLD and NASH
Who Is At Risk for Fatty Liver, NAFLD and NASH?
Fatty liver is most commonly found in people who consume excessive amounts of alcohol, who are obese, as well as those which have diabetics (Type 2).
For those who are obese, fatty liver is most frequently found in those that carry excess fat mainly around their midsection.
For those with diabetes, fatty liver is most frequently found in those who have Type 2 diabetes.
Common risk factors for the development of fatty liver and NASH:
- Obesity
- Diabetes (Type 2)
- Hyperlipidemia [high levels of lipids (fats) in the blood]
- High cholesterol
- Rapid weight loss
- Starvation
- Use of steroids, estrogen, amiodarone (a heart medication), tamoxifen (medication used for breast cancer), methotrexate (a type of chemotherapy)
- Weight reduction surgery – gastroplasy or gastric bypass
References
Mendler, MD, Michel, “Fatty Liver: Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) and Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH)” http://www.medicinenet.com/fatty_liver/article.htm. Retrieved on October 7, 2010.
Palmer, MD, Melissa. Dr. Melissa Palmer’s Guide to Hepatitis & Liver Disease. New York: Avery Trade, 2004.
WebMD. "Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) - Overview ” http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/tc/nonalcoholic-steatohepatitis-nash-overview. Retrieved on October 7, 2010.
WebMD. "Fatty Liver Disease” http://www.webmd.com/hepatitis/fatty-liver-disease. Retrieved October 7, 2010.