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Obesity also Causes CirrhosisThink cirrhosis of the liver only happens to those who drink too much alcohol? Think again. "It's important for people to understand that cirrhosis can be caused by obesity in adults and children," said John Vierling, M.D., Professor of Medicine and Surgery at BCM and Director of Baylor Liver Health. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease—which causes cirrhosis when a large amount of fat accumulates in the liver in the presence of damaging inflammation—is now increasing in the United States as the obesity epidemic continues. Cirrhosis is a condition associated with dense scarring and regenerating nodules on the liver. It can result from a number of illnesses, including alcoholic and viral hepatitis and autoimmune and metabolic liver diseases. Reaching a healthy weight is one way to reverse damage to the liver. For many people the thought of having to lose large amounts of weight is daunting, but Vierling said even losing 10 percent of your body weight can help the liver begin to heal. "The liver is one of the five major organs of the body you can't live without," Vierling said. "So doing everything you can, one step or pound at a time, is important to stay healthy." |
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Volume 4, Issue 3, Winter 2008 |
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| Last modified: December 30, 2008 |