What Is Fatty Liver Disease?

Fatty liver disease (also called steatotic liver disease) is a condition in which excess fat builds up in the liver. It is increasingly common — affecting an estimated 25% of adults in the United States. While a small amount of fat in the liver is normal, excessive fat can cause inflammation and damage over time.

There are two main types:

• Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) — formerly called non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Associated with obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, and metabolic syndrome.
• Alcohol-related fatty liver disease — caused by heavy alcohol consumption.

Why It Matters

Fatty liver disease can progress through stages: simple fatty liver (steatosis) to inflammation (steatohepatitis) to fibrosis (scarring) to cirrhosis (severe scarring). The good news is that in its early stages, fatty liver disease is often reversible with lifestyle changes. The key is detecting it early, before significant damage occurs.

Symptoms

Most people with fatty liver disease have no symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they may include fatigue, abdominal discomfort, and unexplained weight loss. Because symptoms often do not appear until the disease has progressed, screening is important for people with risk factors.

Diagnosis and Assessment

We offer comprehensive fatty liver evaluation, including blood tests, imaging, and FibroScan assessment. FibroScan is a quick, painless, non-invasive test that measures liver stiffness and fat content — giving us precise information about the health of your liver without the need for a biopsy.

Treatment

The primary treatment for fatty liver disease is lifestyle modification: weight loss, regular exercise, a healthy diet, managing diabetes and cholesterol, and avoiding alcohol. In more advanced cases, medications may be prescribed. Our team provides personalized guidance and ongoing monitoring to help you protect your liver health.