Post by 1705total on Apr 20, 2005 19:07:34 GMT -5
I went to the doctor for my routine physical back in March, well after a couple of blood test showing high liver enzymes along with a CAT scan, My doctor said I have NASH:
What is nonalcoholic steatohepatitis?
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is described as inflammation of the liver associated with the accumulation of fat in the liver. It differs from the simple accumulation of fat in the liver (fatty liver, or hepatic steatosis) in that the inflammation causes damage to the liver cells while simple fatty liver probably does not. NASH is not connected with other causes of chronic liver disease, including hepatitis B and C viruses, autoimmune disorders, alcohol, drug toxicity, and the accumulation of copper (Wilson’s Disease) or iron (hemochromatosis).
What causes NASH?
There is no known specific cause of NASH. In the past, the typical NASH patient was described as a middle-aged, obese woman with excess sugar in the blood, which may have been caused by diabetes mellitus. The patient may have had excess fat in the blood. However, it has recently been reported that patients with NASH do not always fit this description. One study included men, as well as women, who were not overweight, did not suffer from diabetes mellitus, and did not have excess lipids (fat) in their blood. Another group diagnosed with NASH was composed of children between nine and 16 years old. Most of the children were overweight, but only a few had diabetes mellitus.
What is the risk of NASH?
In NASH, which resembles alcoholic steatohepatitis, the inflammation of the liver is associated with an increase of fat deposits and typically occurs in middle-aged, overweight, and often diabetic patients who do not drink alcohol. It has also been connected with rapid weight loss, or in women taking hormones (estrogen). The fatty tissue in the liver may break up liver cells (steatonecrosis) and the patient may develop cirrhosis (scarring of the liver). Recent studies indicate that NASH can result in the development of fibrous tissue in the liver (fibrosis) in up to 40% of
patients or cirrhosis in 5-10% of patients. It is not certain why some NASH patients will progress to this serious form of chronic liver disease while others do not. Studies report that the progression to fibrosis or cirrhosis for NASH patients is variable but can occasionally occur in less that 20 years.
Some studies have shown that 20% to 40% of people who are grossly overweight will develop NASH. If a patient is grossly overweight, however, it does not mean that he/she will develop NASH. Many patients with NASH will show an increase of certain iron proteins (ferritin) in their blood, but whether this relates to any injury to the liver is unknown.
How is NASH diagnosed?
Many NASH patients are unaware of their conditions because they do not exhibit any symptoms. In most cases, NASH causes a slight increase during liver enzyme tests, as do other forms of liver disease.
AS with fatty liver, the physician will first eliminate the other possible causes of chronic liver disease. Images of the liver are obtained by an ultrasound test, a CT scan, or an MRI scan. The diagnosis must be confirmed by liver biopsy.
How is NASH treated?
Presently, there is no specific treatment for NASH that is universally agreed upon. However, patients who are obese, diabetic, and have high lipids (fats) in their blood are advised to lose weight and control their diabetes and elevated lipids. Usually, a low fat, low calorie diet is recommended along with insulin or medications to lower blood sugar for diabetes. For many patients with NASH who are not overweight and not diabetic, a low fat diet is recommended. Patients with NASH should avoid alcohol or other substances that could be harmful to the liver. More research is needed to understand what causes NASH so that more effective therapies can be developed
I don't believe I'm obese, but I do need to lose weight. Is a low carb high protein moderate fat (good fats ie fish oils, olive oil ect) ok or should I try something different with records to my liver??
Thanks everyone.
One note, please don't worry about my health. I'll turn this around once I lose the weight. This post is not a plea for sympathy, only to ask a question from people I trust.
What is nonalcoholic steatohepatitis?
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is described as inflammation of the liver associated with the accumulation of fat in the liver. It differs from the simple accumulation of fat in the liver (fatty liver, or hepatic steatosis) in that the inflammation causes damage to the liver cells while simple fatty liver probably does not. NASH is not connected with other causes of chronic liver disease, including hepatitis B and C viruses, autoimmune disorders, alcohol, drug toxicity, and the accumulation of copper (Wilson’s Disease) or iron (hemochromatosis).
What causes NASH?
There is no known specific cause of NASH. In the past, the typical NASH patient was described as a middle-aged, obese woman with excess sugar in the blood, which may have been caused by diabetes mellitus. The patient may have had excess fat in the blood. However, it has recently been reported that patients with NASH do not always fit this description. One study included men, as well as women, who were not overweight, did not suffer from diabetes mellitus, and did not have excess lipids (fat) in their blood. Another group diagnosed with NASH was composed of children between nine and 16 years old. Most of the children were overweight, but only a few had diabetes mellitus.
What is the risk of NASH?
In NASH, which resembles alcoholic steatohepatitis, the inflammation of the liver is associated with an increase of fat deposits and typically occurs in middle-aged, overweight, and often diabetic patients who do not drink alcohol. It has also been connected with rapid weight loss, or in women taking hormones (estrogen). The fatty tissue in the liver may break up liver cells (steatonecrosis) and the patient may develop cirrhosis (scarring of the liver). Recent studies indicate that NASH can result in the development of fibrous tissue in the liver (fibrosis) in up to 40% of
patients or cirrhosis in 5-10% of patients. It is not certain why some NASH patients will progress to this serious form of chronic liver disease while others do not. Studies report that the progression to fibrosis or cirrhosis for NASH patients is variable but can occasionally occur in less that 20 years.
Some studies have shown that 20% to 40% of people who are grossly overweight will develop NASH. If a patient is grossly overweight, however, it does not mean that he/she will develop NASH. Many patients with NASH will show an increase of certain iron proteins (ferritin) in their blood, but whether this relates to any injury to the liver is unknown.
How is NASH diagnosed?
Many NASH patients are unaware of their conditions because they do not exhibit any symptoms. In most cases, NASH causes a slight increase during liver enzyme tests, as do other forms of liver disease.
AS with fatty liver, the physician will first eliminate the other possible causes of chronic liver disease. Images of the liver are obtained by an ultrasound test, a CT scan, or an MRI scan. The diagnosis must be confirmed by liver biopsy.
How is NASH treated?
Presently, there is no specific treatment for NASH that is universally agreed upon. However, patients who are obese, diabetic, and have high lipids (fats) in their blood are advised to lose weight and control their diabetes and elevated lipids. Usually, a low fat, low calorie diet is recommended along with insulin or medications to lower blood sugar for diabetes. For many patients with NASH who are not overweight and not diabetic, a low fat diet is recommended. Patients with NASH should avoid alcohol or other substances that could be harmful to the liver. More research is needed to understand what causes NASH so that more effective therapies can be developed
I don't believe I'm obese, but I do need to lose weight. Is a low carb high protein moderate fat (good fats ie fish oils, olive oil ect) ok or should I try something different with records to my liver??
Thanks everyone.
One note, please don't worry about my health. I'll turn this around once I lose the weight. This post is not a plea for sympathy, only to ask a question from people I trust.
