Fatty Liver Center - Portage, MIPortage Gastroenterologist Doctors for Fatty LiverType of Physician: Gastroenterologist What is a Gastroenterologist? A subspecialty certification by the Board of Internal Medicine; practitioners focus on the stomach, intestines, colon, liver, and gallbladder (digestive organs). The gastroenterologist treats conditions such as abdominal pain, ulcers, diarrhea, cancer, and jaundice and they consult with surgeons when abdominal operations are indicated. Specialty: Gastroenterology Common Name: GI Doctor Gastroenterologist Doctors in Portage * Gastroenterology of Southwest Michigan  Gastroenterology of Southwest Michigan  Gastroenterology of Southwest Michigan  Gastroenterology of Southwest Michigan  Gastroenterology of Southwest Michigan  Gastroenterology & Hepatology of Kalamazoo  Gastroenterology & Hepatology of Kalamazoo  Kalamazoo Gastroenterology Hepatology  Kalamazoo Gastroenterology Hepatology  Kalamazoo Gastroenterology Hepatology  Kalamazoo Gastroenterology Hepatology  Jerrold S Falk MD  Oaklawn Gastroenterology  Oaklawn Gastroenterology  Gastroenterology Associates Western Michigan PC  Gastroenterology Consultants  Michigan Medical PC  Michigan Medical PC  Michigan Medical PC  Michigan Medical PC  Michigan Medical PC  Michigan Medical PC  Gastroenterology Specialists PC  Gastroenterology Specialists PC  Digestive Diseases Specialist PC  Grand Valley Medical Specialists PLC  Grand Valley Medical Specialists PLC  Grand River Gastroenterology PC  Grand River Gastroenterology PC  Grand River Gastroenterology PC  Grand River Gastroenterology PC  Grand River Gastroenterology PC  Grand River Gastroenterology PC  Grand River Gastroenterology PC  Grand River Gastroenterology PC  Gastroenterology Institute of West Michigan  Michigan Medical PC  Michigan Medical PC  Michigan Medical PC  Michigan Medical PC  Michigan Gastroenterology Institute  Great Lakes Gastroenterology PLLC  Great Lakes Gastroenterology PLLC  Great Lakes Gastroenterology PLLC  Great Lakes Gastroenterology PLLC  Hillsdale Medical Associates  Nadeem Ullah MD  Alejandro Nakahodo MD  Guy Power MD  Harshad P Patel MD  MidMichigan Gastroenterology  MidMichigan Gastroenterology  West Michigan Gastroenterology PC  West Michigan Gastroenterology PC  West Michigan Gastroenterology PC  Michigan Gastroenterology Institute  Michigan Gastroenterology Institute  Michigan Gastroenterology Institute  Michigan Gastroenterology Institute  Michigan Gastroenterology Institute  Michigan Gastroenterology Institute  Michigan Gastroenterology Institute  Michigan Gastroenterology Institute  Michigan Gastroenterology Institute  McCance Medical Clinic Portage, MichiganUpcoming Local Events2012-06-02
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Fatty LiverRead the Fatty Liver article » What are Fatty Liver, NAFLD, and NASH?Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) refers to a wide spectrum of liver disease ranging from simple fatty liver (steatosis), to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), to cirrhosis (irreversible, advanced scarring of the liver). All of the stages of NAFLD have in common the accumulation of fat (fatty infiltration) in the liver cells (hepatocytes). In NASH, the fat accumulation is associated with varying degrees of inflammation (hepatitis) and scarring (fibrosis) of the liver. The term nonalcoholic is used because NAFLD and NASH occur in individuals who do not consume excessive amounts of alcohol. Yet, in many respects, the histological picture of NAFLD (when we look at a biopsy piece of liver under the microscope) is similar to what can be seen in liver disease that is due to excessive intake of alcohol. As we shall see, however, the clinical circumstances in NAFLD and NASH are very different from those in alcoholic liver disease (ALD). What is the NAFLD spectrum?
The next stage and degree of severity in the NAFLD spectrum is NASH. Fortunately, only a fraction of patients with simple fatty liver will develop NASH. As mentioned, NASH involves the accumulation of fat in the liver cells as... Recommended Reading Related to Fatty LiverIntroductionWhile the patient's history and physical examination are the building blocks of making a medical diagnosis, the ability to peer inside the body can be a powerful tool. Ultrasound is an imaging technique that provides that ability to medical practitioners. What is an ultrasound?Ultrasound produces sound waves that are beamed into the body causing return echoes that are recorded to "visualize" structures beneath the skin. The ability to measure different echoes reflected from a variety of tissues allows a shadow picture to be constructed. The technology is especially accurate at seeing the interface between solid and fluid filled spaces. These are actually the same principles that allow SONAR on boats to see the bottom of the ocean. What is ultrasonography?Ultrasonography is body imaging using ultrasound in medical diagnosis. A skilled ultrasound technician is able to... Other Related Fatty Liver ArticlesEmergency Contact for Portage
Nearby Portage Hospitals *Kalamazoo Psychiatric Hospital Bronson Vicksburg Hospital Bronson Methodist Hospital Borgess Medical Center Three Rivers Health Bronson LakeView Hospital Borgess Pipp Hospital Battle Creek VA Medical Center Fieldstone Center Battle Creek Health System Southwest Regional Rehabilitation Center Allegan General Hospital Sturgis Hospital Borgess Lee Memorial Hospital Oaklawn Hospital Community Hospital Watervliet Pennock Hospital Featured Articles*Provider Directory Terms of Use: The WebMD 'Provider Directory' is provided by WebMD for use by the general public as a quick reference of information about Providers. The Provider Directory is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any Provider contained therein. Inclusion in the Provider Directory does not imply recommendation or endorsement nor does omission in the Provider Directory imply WebMD disapproval. |
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Abdominal Pain
- Abdominal pain is pain in the belly and can be acute or chronic. Causes include inflammation, distention of an organ, and loss of the blood supply to an organ. Abdominal pain can reflect a major problem with one of the organs in the abdomen such as the appendix, gallbladder, large and small intestine, pancreas, liver, colon, duodenum, and spleen.
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Liver Disease
- Liver disease can be cause by a variety of things including infection (hepatitis), diseases such as gallstones, high cholesterol or triglycerides, blood flow obstruction to the liver, and toxins (medications and chemicals). Symptoms of liver disease depends upon the cause; however, common symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, upper right abdominal pain, and jaundice. Treatment depends upon the cause of the liver disease.
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Liver Cancer
- Liver cancer is the fifth most common cancer in the world and the majority of patients with liver cancer will die within one year as a result. Patients with associated cirrhosis caused by chronic hepatitis B or C infections, alcohol, and hemochromatosis are at the greatest risk of developing liver cancer. Many patients with liver cancer do not develop symptoms until the advanced stages of the tumor which usually makes prognosis poor. The combination of an imaging study (ultrasound, CT, or MRI scans) and an elevated blood level of alpha-fetoprotein will most effectively diagnose liver cancer, while a liver biopsy can make a definitive diagnosis. Medical treatments, including chemotherapy, chemoembolization, ablation, and proton beam therapy, are not very effective. Surgical removal of the tumor or a liver transplant may be most effective in certain cases.
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Cirrhosis (Liver)
- Cirrhosis of the liver refers to a disease in which normal liver cells are replaced by scar tissue caused by alcohol and viral hepatitis B and C. This disease leads to abnormalities in the liver's ability to handle toxins and blood flow, causing internal bleeding, kidney failure, mental confusion, coma, body fluid accumulation, and frequent infections. Symptoms include yellowing of the skin, itching, and fatigue.
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Diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2)
- Diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition characterized by high levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood. The two types of diabetes are referred to as type 1 (insulin dependent) and type 2 (non-insulin dependent). Symptoms of diabetes include increased urine output, thirst, hunger, and fatigue. Treatment of diabetes depends on the type.
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Hepatitis C
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Alcoholism
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Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
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Hepatitis B
- The hepatitis B virus is a unique, coated DNA virus belonging to the Hepadnaviridae family of viruses. The course of the virus is determined primarily by the age at which the infection is acquired and the interaction between the virus and the body's immune system. Successful treatment is associated with a reduction in liver injury and fibrosis (scarring), a decreased likelihood of developing cirrhosis and its complications, including liver cancer, and a prolonged survival.
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Cholesterol
- Cholesterol is naturally produced by the body, and is a building block for cell membranes and hormones. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is the "bad" cholesterol, conversely, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is the "good" cholesterol. High cholesterol treatment includes lifestyle changes (diet and exercise), and medications such as statins, bile acid resins, and fibric acid derivatives.
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Insulin Resistance
- Insulin resistance is the diminished ability of cells to respond to the action of insulin in transporting glucose (sugar) from the bloodstream into muscle and other tissues. Causes of insulin can include conditions such as stress, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and steroid use. Some of the risk factors for insulin resistance include fatty liver, heart disease, strokes, peripheral vascular disease, high cholesterol, and smoking. Treatment for insulin resistance are lifestyle changes and if necessary, medication.
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Liver
- The liver is the largest solid organ in the body, and is actually an gland. The liver has a wide variety of critical functions such as manufacturing proteins and metabolizing fats and carbohydrates. The liver also eliminates harmful biochemical waste products from the body (alcohol, drugs, toxins). The liver secretes bile that aids in digestion. Examples of diseases of the liver include cirrhosis, hepatitis, cancer, and fatty liver. Symptoms of liver disease include bleeding, easy bruising, edema, fatigue, and jaundice.
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Metabolic Syndrome
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The Digestive System
- Digestion is the complex process of turning food you eat into the energy you need to survive. The digestive process also involves creating waste to be eliminated, and is made of a series of muscles that coordinate the movement of food.
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Reye's Syndrome
- Reye's syndrome (RS, or Reye syndrome) is a sudden, sometimes fatal, disease of the brain with degeneration of the liver. Reye syndrome occurs in children and comes after the chickenpox or an influenza-type illness, is also associated with taking medications containing aspirin. Symptoms include vomiting, listlessness, irritability or combativeness, confusion, delirium, delusions, convulsions, and loss of consciousness. Treatment depends on early diagnosis and focuses on protecting the brain against irreversible damage by reducing brain swelling, reversing the metabolic injury, preventing complications in the lungs, and anticipating cardiac arrest.
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Childhood Obesity
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