Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD)

Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD), Latest News

Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease, or MASLD, is emerging as a significant health concern, particularly in India.

About Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD)

• Often referred to as a “silent” disease, MASLD is a liver condition that can progress over time if left unaddressed. 
• It is a long-lasting liver condition caused by having too much fat in the liver. 
• Previously known as Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), its name was changed to better reflect the condition’s underlying causes. 
• The new term highlights that the disease is a metabolic one, linked to factors such as obesity, diabetes, and high cholesterol. 
• It is the most common form of liver disease in the world. 
• MASLD ranges in severity from hepatic steatosis — sometimes called diffuse hepatic steatosis, or formerly fatty liver infiltration or simply fatty liver — to a more severe form of disease called metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), formerly called nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).
• Symptoms: 
  • MASLD often has no symptoms. 
  • If symptoms begin, however, they usually include fatigue (extreme tiredness), weakness, discomfort, or pain in the abdomen.
  • If MASLD begins to advance to MASH, other symptoms may begin. 
    • These can include jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin), severe itching, fluid buildup in the belly (ascites), and fluid buildup in the ankles (edema).
    • Sometimes mental confusion can occur.
    • MASH causes the liver to swell and become damaged.
• Treatment: Treating MASLD with a healthy diet, physical activity, and weight loss can slow or even reverse liver damage, especially if it is at an earlier stage.

Source: TH

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