[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/12\/nonalcoholic-steatohepatitis\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/12\/nonalcoholic-steatohepatitis\/","headline":"Understanding Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis","name":"Understanding Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis","description":"Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, or NASH, is a liver disease caused by fat buildup. Learn more about symptoms and treatment options.","datePublished":"2017-12-29","dateModified":"2024-07-15","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/transplant","name":"Transplant Services","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/transplant","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/transplant-services\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/LDLT-image.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/LDLT-image.jpg","height":327,"width":754},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/12\/nonalcoholic-steatohepatitis\/","about":["Family Health","Living and Wellness","Transplant"],"wordCount":495,"keywords":["ache","alcoholic liver disease","cirrhosis","fatty liver","liver causes inflammation","liver disease","liver failure","liver transplants","obesity"],"articleBody":"Everyone knows that drinking too much alcohol can damage the liver, causing cirrhosis or scarring. But, what about liver damage that’s not caused by drinking?Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) is often referred to as the “silent liver disease.” While similar to alcoholic liver disease, MASH affects people who drink little or no alcohol.MASH occurs when a buildup of fat within the liver causes inflammation. For some people, that buildup of fat can be harmless. For others, it can cause serious damage that eventually leads to liver failure. Understanding metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis is important in preventing and treating it.Through our innovative UPMC Complex Care Connect\u2122 program, we extend our expertise to hospitals across the country. To learn more, visit the UPMC Complex Care Connect\u2122 program website.Causes and Symptoms of MASHWhile many people have fat in their livers (a condition called fatty liver), a smaller percentage of people develop MASH. However, MASH is becoming more common due to increased rates of obesity.While in its early stages, MASH can cause few or no symptoms. As the disease progresses and the liver becomes more and more damaged, symptoms may include:FatigueWeight lossGeneral weaknessAn ache in the upper right part of your bellyBecause it develops so slowly, it may be difficult to recognize and understand the causes and symptoms of MASH until it’s too late.Treatment for MASHLearn more about living-donor liver transplants at UPMC.While there’s no specific therapy or treatment for MASH, adopting a healthy lifestyle and addressing other health issues can help slow its progression. People with MASH should eat a healthy and balanced diet, exercise regularly, and avoid consuming alcohol.While diet and lifestyle changes can help, some cases of MASH can lead to cirrhosis or even liver failure. When this happens, a liver transplant is the only option.People in need of a liver transplant are carefully evaluated and placed on the liver transplant waiting list. While the wait for a donor liver to become available may take months or even years, the disease continues to progress.Fortunately, receiving a transplant from a living donor can reduce the wait. During a living-donor liver transplant, a portion of the liver is removed from a healthy donor and transplanted into the person with the failing liver.Living donation offers many lifesaving benefits, including:Significantly shorter waiting timeQuicker recovery timeImproved long-term outcomesReduced waiting-list deathsPeople interested in receiving a living-donor liver transplant should talk to their doctor about options for finding a suitable donor. It’s important to remember that living donors don’t have to be related or have the same blood type.Speak to your doctor for information and resources on understanding metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis, and learn more about living-donor liver transplants at UPMC.Join the conversation about living donation! Like us on Facebook today.Editor's Note: This video was originally published on December 29, 2017, and was last reviewed on July 15, 2024."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2017","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"12","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/\/12\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Understanding Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/12\/nonalcoholic-steatohepatitis\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]