It is estimated that 1 in 4 adults living in Central Florida have Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). The physicians at Gastroenterology Consultants of Central Florida, are experts in liver care. specializing in diagnosing and managing NAFLD. We take the time to help our patients understand the risks involved and how to avoid complications.
The Epidemic of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
“It started as an epidemic and now it’s a combination of epidemic and endemic, meaning that one, it’s spreading rapidly. Number two, it’s now become static to a certain extent,” Dr Reddy said during AIG Hospitals’ World Fatty Liver Day awareness event. “Statistics show that 30 percent to 40 percent of the population, the normal population, 30 to 40 percent of all, have a fatty liver disease.”
“Initially, people used to think that if we get a fatty liver disease on the ultrasound report, just ignore it, not important, but we now know that this is not right,” Dr Reddy explained.
“It seems that fatty liver is a central point from where other diseases are arising,” Dr Reddy noted. “If you have fatty liver, your diabetes worsens. If you have fatty liver, you develop cardiovascular problems. If you have fatty liver, you develop metabolic problems.”
Dr Anand Kulkarni, Director of Critical Care Hepatology at AIG Hospitals, emphasised the importance of early detection. “When fatty liver shows up on an ultrasound, nearly 30 percent of your liver is already filled with fat. That should be a wake-up call,” he cautioned.
Dr Anuj Kapadia, Senior Consultant in Cardiology at AIG Hospitals, illustrated the broader metabolic implications of fatty liver disease. “Fat in the liver is a warning sign; it reflects what’s happening inside your body. If there’s fat in the liver, there could be fat clogging your arteries too,” he explained. “It’s all part of a bigger metabolic risk that includes heart attacks and strokes.”