What Is Hepatic Steatosis?
5. What Are the Potential Complications?
When the form of NAFLD is aggressive and leads to NASH, cirrhosis of the liver is the primary complication. Cirrhosis is caused by excessive scar-tissue buildup that occurs as a result of the body’s inflammatory response to the presence of fat in the liver cells. This scar tissue is called fibrosis, and it can diminish the liver’s ability to function.
When cirrhosis goes untreated, it can lead to a number of complications. It can cause the veins in the esophagus to swell and potentially erupt, causing bleeding, as well as fluid buildup in the abdomen and slurred speech. The disease increases the likelihood of liver cancer. In later stages, cirrhosis causes liver failure.
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