If you have NASH or develop cirrhosis, you may have symptoms such as:
- Swollen belly
- Enlarged blood vessels underneath your skin’s surface
- Right Upper Quadrant Pain
- Red palms
- Skin and eyes that appear yellowish, due to a condition called jaundice
Fatty liver is a reversible condition wherein large vacuoles of triglyceride fat accumulate in liver cells via the process of steatosis (i.e., abnormal retention of lipids within a cell). Despite having multiple causes, fatty liver can be considered a single disease that occurs worldwide in those with excessive alcohol intake and the obese (with or without effects of insulin resistance). The condition is also associated with other diseases that influence fat metabolism.[1] When this process of fat metabolism is disrupted, the fat can accumulate in the liver in excessive amounts, thus resulting in a fatty liver.[2] It is difficult to distinguish alcoholic FLD, which is part of alcoholic liver disease, from nonalcoholic FLD (NAFLD), and both show microvesicular and macrovesicular fatty changes at different stages.
The accumulation of fat in alcoholic or non-alcoholic steatosis may also be accompanied by a progressive inflammation of the liver (hepatitis), called steatohepatitis. This more severe condition may be termed either alcoholic steatohepatitis or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).
Severe fatty liver is sometimes accompanied by inflammation, a situation referred to as steatohepatitis. Progression to alcoholic steatohepatitis (ASH) or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) depends on the persistence or severity of the inciting cause. Pathological lesions in both conditions are similar. However, the extent of inflammatory response varies widely and does not always correlate with degree of fat accumulation. Steatosis (retention of lipid) and onset of steatohepatitis may represent successive stages in FLD progression.[13]
Liver disease with extensive inflammation and a high degree of steatosis often progresses to more severe forms of the disease.[14] Hepatocyte ballooning and necrosis of varying degrees are often present at this stage. Liver cell death and inflammatory responses lead to the activation of hepatic stellate cells, which play a pivotal role in hepatic fibrosis. The extent of fibrosis varies widely. Perisinusoidal fibrosis is most common, especially in adults.
The progression to cirrhosis may be influenced by the amount of fat and degree of steatohepatitis and by a variety of other sensitizing factors. In alcoholic FLD, the transition to cirrhosis related to continued alcohol consumption is well-documented, but the process involved in non-alcoholic FLD is less clear.
The Gold level sponsor has provided a contribution to the Foundation of at least $100,000. Gold sponsors have the opportunity to direct their contributions to particular projects in partnership with the Foundation. While the screening project is our most visible patient outreach program but there are many needs within the obesity, fatty liver, and cirrhosis challenged patients that benefit from efforts surrounding the screening events.
The Silver level sponsor is anyone who has provided a contribution to the Foundation of at least $50,000. Silver level sponsors are honored on our sponsorship webpage with their logo and a link to their webpage for more information.
The Bronze level sponsor is anyone who has provided a contribution to the Foundation of at least $10,000. They are honored on our sponsorship webpage with their logo in recognition of their contributions.
