Expert Care for Fatty Liver Disease in Maryland

There are two main types of fatty liver disease:

• Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (AFLD): Caused by heavy or long-term alcohol use, leading to fat buildup in your liver and possible scarring of the liver.
• Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD): Occurs in people who drink little or no alcohol. It can progress to NASH, a severe form of fatty liver disease with inflammation and liver cell damage.

Both forms may result in cirrhosis or liver cancer if not managed early.

Most people with fatty liver disease have no symptoms at first. When symptoms appear, they may include fatigue, discomfort in the upper right abdomen, or an enlarged liver.
Causes of fatty liver disease include obesity, insulin resistance, high cholesterol, diabetes, or excessive alcohol use. These factors cause the liver to store more fat and may trigger liver inflammation, fibrosis, or liver scarring.

Alcoholic fatty liver disease is the earliest stage of alcohol-related liver disease. When you drink more alcohol than your liver can process, fat accumulates in the liver. Continued drinking may cause the liver to swell and become inflamed, leading to alcoholic hepatitis, cirrhosis, or even the need for a liver transplant.
Reducing or stopping alcohol intake can often help in the reversal of fatty liver disease at this stage.

The diagnosis of fatty liver disease usually starts with liver function tests that show elevated liver enzymes, such as ALT or AST.
Imaging tests like ultrasound, Velacur, or MRI can measure the stiffness of your liver and detect excess fat in the liver. In some cases, a liver biopsy is needed to assess inflammation and liver cell damage.
At our Fatty Liver Clinic, we use advanced technology to check your liver and identify fatty liver disease in adults at its earliest stage.

Not usually. We use advanced imaging like Velacur to assess severity without invasive procedures.

Yes. Most evaluations and follow-ups are covered, especially with risk factors or abnormal labs. We’ll verify your benefits before scheduling tests

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a severe form of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease where fat in your liver causes inflammation and liver cell injury. Over time, NASH causes the liver to develop fibrosis, which can progress to cirrhosis or liver cancer.
NASH can decrease liver function and may eventually lead to liver failure or the need for liver transplantation. Managing NASH early with lifestyle changes and close follow-up at a liver clinic can help prevent irreversible liver damage

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is the new medical term for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. It reflects the connection between fat in the liver and metabolic conditions such as obesity, high blood sugar, and insulin resistance.
MASLD includes a spectrum of liver conditions, from simple fatty liver (steatosis) to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), which involves inflammation and liver fibrosis.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) is the updated term for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). It’s a severe form of fatty liver disease that combines fat buildup in your liver with inflammation and liver cell damage.
If untreated, MASH can progress to scarring of the liver, cirrhosis, and possibly the need for a liver transplant. Early detection through liver function tests and Velacur can help guide treatment and protect liver health.

Yes, the reversal of fatty liver disease is often possible in its early stages.
For patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver, improving diet, losing weight, exercising regularly, and controlling blood sugar can reduce fat in the liver and liver inflammation.
Our Fatty Liver Clinic provides personalized programs for the management of nonalcoholic fatty liver, focusing on lifestyle changes and monitoring liver enzymes to support long-term liver health.

There are no specific drugs approved yet for NAFLD or NASH, but early intervention can prevent chronic liver disease progression.
Our approach includes:

• Nutrition and exercise programs tailored for people with fatty liver disease
• Monitoring liver enzyme levels and liver stiffness
• Managing risk factors like diabetes and cholesterol

These steps can reduce liver inflammation, slow fibrosis, and help avoid cirrhosis or liver transplant.

You can protect and even improve your liver health by:

• Following a fatty liver disease diet (rich in whole foods, lean protein, and minimal sugars)
• Avoiding alcohol and processed foods
• Exercising regularly
• Following up with your liver specialist for liver function tests

These steps help your liver try to stop inflammation, reduce fat in your liver, and prevent damage caused by fatty liver disease.

Yes, the reversal of fatty liver disease is often possible, especially in its early stages. When excess fat builds up in the liver but has not yet caused significant inflammation or scarring, lifestyle changes such as weight loss, regular exercise, and a balanced diet can help the liver heal itself. For most patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, improving metabolic health and avoiding alcohol can reduce liver fat, lower liver enzymes, and restore normal liver function. Early diagnosis and consistent follow-up at a liver clinic greatly increase the chances of reversing fatty liver disease and preventing chronic liver damage.