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  • Home
  • Providers
    • Vishvinder Sharma, MD
    • Dipesh Banker, MD
    • Ranadev Mukherjee, MD
    • Shahid Wahid, MD
    • Nikhil Karanth, MD
    • Nasim McDermott, DO
    • Brian Carlson, MD
    • Jawad Jilani, DO
    • Eladio Carrera, MD
    • Marcella Pomeranz, DNP, APRN
    • Daisy Vo, FNP-BC
    • Francess E. Ehixojie, MSN, APRN, BC-FNP
    • Payton Cerda, PA-C
    • Steven Evans, PA-C
    • Manushak Avanesyan, MPAS, PA-C
    • Nicole Nelson, PA-C
  • Offices
  • Services
  • New Patients
  • Resources
    • Patient Portal
    • Patient Education
      • Abdominal Bloating
      • Abdominal Pain
      • Anal Fissure
      • Ascites
      • Barrett Esophagus
      • Bowel Incontinence
      • Celiac Disease
      • Cirrhosis
      • Constipation
      • Crohn’s Disease
      • Diarrhea
      • Diverticulitis
      • Diverticulosis
      • Fatty Liver
      • Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
      • Helicobacter Pylori Infection
      • Heartburn
      • Hemorrhoids
      • Hepatitis A
      • Hepatitis B
      • Hepatitis C
      • Irritable Bowel Syndrome
      • Peptic Ulcer
      • Small Bowel Bacterial Overgrowth
      • Ulcerative Colitis
    • Treatments & Tests
      • Capsule Endoscopy
      • Colon Cancer Screening
      • Colonoscopy
      • Endoscopic Ultrasound
      • Esophageal pH Monitoring
      • Lactose Tolerance Tests
      • Liver Biopsy
    • Procedure Preparations

PHONE: 702-633-0207
FAX: 702-633-0254

Fatty Liver

Definition Collapse

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the buildup of fat in the liver that is NOT caused by drinking too much alcohol. People who have it do not have a history of heavy drinking. NAFLD is closely related to being overweight.

For many people, NAFLD causes no symptoms or problems. A more serious form of the disease is called nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). NASH can cause liver failure. It can also cause cancer

Causes Expand

There is no clear cause for NAFLD or NASH.

However, certain things may put you at risk:

  • Overweight or obesity. The more overweight you are, the higher the risk.
  • Prediabetes (insulin resistance).
  • Type 2 diabetes.
  • High cholesterol.
  • High triglycerides.
  • High blood pressure.

Other risk factors may include:

  • Rapid weight loss and poor diet
  • Gastric bypass surgery
  • Bowel disease
  • Certain medicines, such as calcium channel blockers and some cancer drugs

NAFLD also occurs in people who have no known risk factors

Symptoms Expand

People with NAFLD often have no symptoms.

When symptoms occur, the most common include:

  • Fatigue
  • Pain in the upper right abdomen

In people with NASH who have liver damage (cirrhosis), symptoms may include:

  • Weakness
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea
  • Yellow skin and eyes (jaundice)
  • Itching
  • Fluid buildup and swelling in the legs and abdomen
  • Mental confusion
  • GI bleeding
Exams and Tests Expand

NAFLD is often found during routine blood tests that are used to see how well the liver is working.

You may have the following tests to measure liver function:

  • Complete blood count
  • Prothrombin time
  • Blood albumin level

Your health care provider may ask for certain imaging tests, including:

  • Ultrasound is often used to confirm a diagnosis of NAFLD
  • MRI and CT scan may also be needed

A liver biopsy is needed to confirm a diagnosis of NASH, the more severe form of NAFLD.

Treatment Expand

There is no specific treatment for NAFLD. The goal is to manage your risk factors and any health conditions.

Your provider will help you understand your condition and the healthy choices that can help you take care of your liver.

These may include:

  • Losing weight if you are overweight.
  • Eating a healthy diet that is low in salt.
  • Not drinking alcohol.
  • Staying physically active.
  • Managing health conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
  • Getting vaccinated for diseases such as hepatitis A and hepatitis B.
  • Lowering your cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
  • Taking medicines as directed. Talk to your provider about all medicines you take, including herbs and supplements and over-the-counter medicines.

Losing weight and managing diabetes can slow or sometimes reverse the deposit of fat in the liver.

Outlook (Prognosis) Expand

Many people with NAFLD have no health problems and do not go on to develop NASH. Losing weight and making healthy lifestyle choices can help prevent more serious problems.
It is unclear why some people develop NASH. NASH can lead to cirrhosis.

When to Contact a Medical Professional Expand

Most people with NAFLD do not know they have it. See your provider if you begin to have unusual symptoms such as fatigue or abdominal pain.

Prevention Expand

To help prevent NAFLD:

  • Maintain a healthy weight.
  • Eat a healthy diet.
  • Exercise regularly.
  • Limit alcohol consumption.
  • Use medicines properly.
Alternative Names Expand

Fatty liver; Steatosis; Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis; NASH

Office Locations

Las Vegas

5440 W Sahara Ave, Suite 302
Las Vegas, Nevada 89146
Mon - Fri : 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Summerlin

653 N Town Center Dr, Suite 204
Las Vegas, Nevada 89144
Contact the office for hours.

North Las Vegas

2031 N McDaniel, Suite 140
North Las Vegas, Nevada 89030
Mon - Fri : 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Henderson

866 Seven Hills Dr, Suite 104
Henderson, Nevada 89052
Mon - Fri : 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Pahrump-Lola Ln

330 S Lola Ln, Suite 200
Pahrump, Nevada 89048
Contact the office for hours.

Pahrump-Loop Rd

1397 S Loop Rd
Pahrump, Nevada 89048
Contact the office for hours.

702-633-0207

Call Today To Make An Appointment At Any Of Our Locations.

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