Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Practical Guide

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) refers to the building up of extreme fat in the liver without any clear cause like alcohol use. NAFLD is categorized into two types that include non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which also involves liver inflammation, and non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL). Non-alcoholic fatty liver is less risky when compared to NASH. Typically, it does not develop to the stage of liver cirrhosis or NASH. However, when NAFL reaches the stage of NASH, it ultimately causes severe problems including cardiovascular disease, liver failure, liver cancer and cirrhosis. The risk factors associated with NAFLD are unbalanced lifestyle, genetics, improper diet, obesity and type 2 diabetes. Liver biopsy, blood tests and imaging are some of the techniques that can be used to diagnose NAFLD. Its treatment involves weight loss which can be achieved through exercise and dietary changes. This book contains some path-breaking studies on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. It aims to shed light on some of the unexplored aspects of this disease. This book will help new researchers by foregrounding their knowledge in this medical condition.