What is nonalcoholic steatohepatitis?
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is described as inflammation of the liver associated with the accumulation of fat in the liver. It differs from the simple accumulation of fat in the liver (fatty liver, or hepatic steatosis) in that the inflammation causes damage to the liver cells while simple fatty liver probably does not. NASH is not connected with other causes of chronic liver disease, including hepatitis B and C viruses, autoimmune disorders, alcohol, drug toxicity, and the accumulation of copper (Wilsons Disease) or iron (hemochromatosis). What causes NASH? There is no known specific cause of NASH. In the past, the typical NASH patient was described as a middle-aged, obese woman with excess sugar in the blood, which may have been caused by diabetes mellitus. The patient may have had excess fat in the blood. However, it has recently been reported that patients with NASH do not always fit this description. One study included men, as well as women, who were not overweight, did no
