What are the symptoms of NASH? NASH is usually a silent disease, as there are generally no symptoms in the early stages.
Patients normally begin to have symptoms when the disease is rather advanced or when cirrhosis develops, which is the degeneration of cells, inflammation, and fibrous thickening of the tissue in the liver.
Symptoms of NASH
The common symptoms of NASH include fatigue, weight loss, weakness, and possibly aching at the upper right side of the belly.
Progression of NASH
Although the course of NASH is hard to predict, the outcome is often good. It can take up to ten years before complications occur.
In some cases, the disease can stop or reverse on its own without specific treatment. In other cases, scars will appear on the liver, and it will not be able to function properly, this is called cirrhosis.
Cirrhosis and Its Consequences
Cirrhosis in NASH Patients: Not every person with NASH develops cirrhosis, but once serious scarring or cirrhosis is present, few treatments can slow the progression.
Symptoms of Cirrhosis: A person with cirrhosis can experience water retention, loss of muscle, bleeding from the intestines, and liver failure.
Treatment for Advanced Cirrhosis: A liver transplant is the only treatment for advanced cirrhosis with liver failure.
