NASH Isn’t Just For Obese People

Posted on by David Frank

Surprisingly High Cases of “Lean NASH”

While there is a clear causal relationship between obesity, NAFLD, and NASH, studies have shown that there are a significant number of cases of NASH affecting non-obese individuals.  In a recent study up to 15% of those diagnosed with NASH were not considered obese.  These cases are referred to as lean NASH or NOSH (non-obese steatohepatitis).

And there is a real concern for these types of cases because apparently these variations of the disease can have even higher mortality and serious morbidity rates.  Read simply; if you are not obese and get diagnosed with NASH you have an even greater risk of serious life-threatening symptoms.  Continue reading “NASH Isn’t Just For Obese People” →

Police Chief Diagnosed With NASH Announces He Needs a Liver Transplant and Receives Outpouring of Support

Posted on by David Frank

In an all too familiar story, a police chief in Oak Park Illinois has suddenly found himself needing a liver transplant after being diagnosed with NASH just a few weeks ago.  In an amazing show of support, several potential live donors have already come forward after a social media post went viral in the community. Continue reading “Police Chief Diagnosed With NASH Announces He Needs a Liver Transplant and Receives Outpouring of Support” →

Lipotoxicity and NASH

Posted on by David Frank

This is a fascinating article full of technical detail about an emerging alternative thesis explaining the progression from NAFLD to NASH.  It also goes into detail about how biopharma company Gilead is pursuing multiple avenues and theories on NASH progression as part of a comprehensive plan to create a medical treatment for it. Continue reading “Lipotoxicity and NASH” →

The Challenge of Diagnosing NASH

Posted on by David Frank

One of the most frustrating parts of the NASH pandemic is that most people suffering from it have no symptoms and absolutely no idea there is even an issue.  Part of the reason for this lack of awareness is because there is no truly definitive way to diagnose NASH other than an invasive biopsy of the liver.

A primary goal of many biopharma companies working on NASH today is not only to find a cure but also to develop non-invasive tests that can conclusively diagnose the disease.  This is important because even with everything that is known about the widespread precedence of the disease routine screening is still not recommended due to uncertainty and costs.  It’s vital that we reach a point where an effective screen for NAFLD/NASH is in widespread use to combat the incidence of the disease.

So how do doctors today determine if someone has NAFLD or NASH?  Here’s everything you need to know. Continue reading “The Challenge of Diagnosing NASH” →

Up to 10% of all children in the USA may have NAFLD

Posted on by David Frank

There is not a wide amount of awareness of NASH even among the highest at-risk adults, but there is also an increasingly worrying trend of increased NAFLD & NASH diagnosis in children, some extremely young.  Alarmingly, studies have found that progression from NALFD to more advanced NASH was quicker and more severe than in adults.

There isn’t a lot of empirical data available on younger children and the disease, but several studies have been undertaken in an attempt to understand the prevalence of the disease.

nafld-affects-children

Continue reading “Up to 10% of all children in the USA may have NAFLD” →

1st International NASH Day Announced!

Posted on by David Frank

In a very welcome bit of news, a coalition of advocacy groups and bio-pharmaceutical companies organized by the NASH Education Program have joined forces to hold the world’s very first International NASH Day on June 12th!

macliverThis is an incredibly important step in ensuring that the public begins to truly understand the magnitude of the NASH epidemic that we are already enduring.

Continue reading “1st International NASH Day Announced!” →

We cannot be PC about our health

Posted on by David Frank

There is a disturbing trend in social health movements to ignore medical realities in favor of mental wellness.  That is, to pretend that a medical condition isn’t a threat because to acknowledge it may hurt someones feelings.  I’m here to tell you that non-alcoholic steatohepatitis doesn’t care about your feelings; it will kill you all the same. Continue reading “We cannot be PC about our health” →