(BPT) - For nearly 25% of Americans living with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, a more serious condition is silently progressing. Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, or NASH, is a dangerous form of fatty liver disease that occurs when the fat in the liver becomes toxic. If left unmanaged, NASH can cause severe liver damage. In fact, it's reported that NASH could soon become the top driver of liver transplants in the United States; it is already the leading cause of liver transplants among women.
Despite the serious consequences of the disease, 90% of people living with NASH don't know they have it - and most of those who do are not aware of their risk for progression because accurate information about the disease can be hard to find. If you've been told you have a fatty liver, you could have NASH and not know it, so it is important to learn about your risk before dangerous liver damage occurs. Make sure to consult your doctor to determine the best course of action for your health and keep reading below for five key facts about NASH.
#1 - NASH can cause scarring of the liver
Fatty liver disease happens in stages. If undetected and unmanaged for too long, the fat can become toxic, killing liver cells, and causing inflammation and scarring (fibrosis). The more scarring you have, the greater your risk of serious health issues like cirrhosis, liver cancer, and the need for a liver transplant. Uncontrolled NASH can also shorten your life expectancy. However, most people living with NASH don't experience symptoms, even as liver damage is occurring. That's why, to manage NASH, testing is key.
#2 - NASH is also known as MASH
As the names state, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are caused by the abnormal buildup of fat in your liver - not by alcohol use. In 2023, medical societies and global liver disease patient groups came together to rename the disease, with the goal of establishing an affirmative, non-stigmatizing name and diagnosis. Today, NASH is now also known as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis, or MASH.
#3 - NASH can be a silent disease - don't wait to get tested
Because the symptoms of NASH can often go unnoticed, getting tested is a critical step to understanding the stage of the condition. The diagnosis process may not require a biopsy - instead, there are multiple noninvasive options to measure and monitor NASH, including blood-based tests, imaging, and scanning. If you do have NASH, your doctor should conduct regular monitoring to check if your liver has developed scarring. To understand more about this process, and the questions you can ask at your next appointment, download this doctor discussion guide.
#4 - NASH can impact more than just your liver
Learning that you have a chronic condition can be challenging in several ways, as navigating life with NASH goes beyond managing physical health. Studies show that it also impacts emotional wellbeing, daily activities, and personal relationships. Since individuals with NASH and their loved ones may not immediately recognize how the condition permeates various aspects of their lives, education plays a crucial role, empowering both those affected and their caregivers to feel confident knowing that they or their loved one is getting the testing and treatment they need. This caregiver guide from the advocacy group NASH kNOWledge provides steps people can take to care for themselves as they care for someone living with NASH.
#5 - You have the power to help your liver
Living with NASH can be difficult, confusing, even overwhelming. The good news is, there are steps you can take today to slow or even reverse liver damage caused by NASH. This starts with a balanced diet, limited alcohol use, and regular, moderate-intensity exercise, which together may help manage your condition. Please consult your doctor to make sure you choose activities that are safe for you. While making these changes can feel challenging at times, support is available. If you feel like NASH is overwhelming or want to learn from others who may be going through similar experiences, check out the advocacy groups dedicated to helping people living with fatty liver and NASH like the ones below.
If you've been told you have fatty liver, talk to your doctor to get tested for scarring. You can learn more about NASH by visiting TakingOnFattyLiverandNASH.com.
Sponsored by Madrigal Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
