Daijiworld Media Network – New York
New York, Aug 5: Fatty liver disease, often overlooked due to its silent progression, is emerging as a major public health concern with potentially life-threatening consequences. Health experts warn that the condition, if left unchecked, can lead to liver cancer, cardiovascular complications, kidney failure, diabetes, and other serious ailments.
According to medical professionals, fatty liver — clinically referred to as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) — begins with fat accumulation in liver cells. While early stages may show no symptoms, the condition can silently progress to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), now called MASH, followed by fibrosis, cirrhosis, and even hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a severe form of liver cancer.
Liver damage and cancer risk
When liver fat triggers inflammation and tissue injury, the disease evolves into MASH, heightening the risk of irreversible scarring. In many cases, this leads to cirrhosis, resulting in liver failure marked by jaundice, fluid accumulation, and functional decline. Patients with MASH or cirrhosis are also at a significantly higher risk of developing liver cancer.
Heart disease and diabetes most common outcomes
Although primarily a liver condition, NAFLD is strongly linked to systemic complications. Experts say cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in patients with fatty liver, due to inflammation, atherosclerosis, and high blood pressure. Fatty liver also disrupts blood sugar control, contributing to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
Metabolic imbalances such as elevated triglycerides, low HDL, and high LDL cholesterol further increase the risk of heart disease, while also exacerbating liver damage.
Kidney, hormonal and cancer complications
Advanced stages of fatty liver increase the likelihood of chronic kidney disease. There’s also growing evidence that patients with NAFLD face higher chances of developing extrahepatic cancers such as colorectal, breast, and prostate cancers.
Fatty liver is also linked to several endocrine disorders, including polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), hypothyroidism, and growth hormone deficiency — largely due to shared risk factors like insulin resistance and chronic inflammation.
A multisystem threat
Doctors caution that fatty liver is not just a liver-specific disease. It may also lead to other health concerns such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), obstructive sleep apnea, gum disease, and psychological issues, underscoring its impact on multiple organ systems.
With rising cases globally, health authorities are urging early diagnosis, lifestyle changes, and increased awareness to curb the growing burden of this metabolic disease.