Obesity A Leading Cause Of Liver Damage

"Some people with excess fat in the liver simply have what's called a fatty liver.

Although this is not normal, it's not serious if it doesn't lead to inflammation or damage. However, NAFLD, if not managed properly, specially associated with obesity can lead to very serious liver problems known as nonalcoholic steatohepatisis

(NASH). The liver may enlarge and, over time, liver cells may be replaced by scartissue," Chowbey told.

Health experts said that an enlarged liver due to fat deposition is being diagnosed

incidentally in 30 to 40 percent of ultrasound scans done for other reasons. It

usually starts in middle age but now has even been noted in children.

They add that in around 10 to 15 percent patients it progresses to further stages of liver damage ranging from Non Alcoholic Steato-Hepatitis (NASH) - which is essentially inflammation of the liver - subsequently fibrosis (scarring) and eventually cirrhosis.

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