Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH)

When to Call a Doctor

Call a health professional immediately if:

You have non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and you:

• Pass out (lose consciousness).
• Have difficulty breathing.
• Vomit blood or what looks like coffee grounds.
• Pass maroon or very bloody stools.
• Feel dizzy or light-headed, or feel like you may faint.

Make an appointment to see your doctor if you either have been diagnosed with NASH or are at risk for the condition and you experience:

• Nausea.
• Vomiting, especially if it includes blood.
• Diarrhea.
• Yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes (jaundice).
• Pain in the upper right part of the belly (abdomen).
• General itching.
• Swelling of the legs or abdomen.

To determine if you are at risk for NASH, see the What Increases Your Risk section of this topic.

Watchful Waiting

Taking a wait-and-see approach (watchful waiting) is appropriate if you have already been diagnosed with NASH and your symptoms do not change or get worse. You will need regular checkups (about every 6 months) during watchful waiting.

Who to See

Your family doctor or general practitioner can diagnose non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). You may be referred to a specialist, such as a gastroenterologist or a hepatologist.

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Author:	Douglas Dana Monica Rhodes	Last Updated: September 10, 2007
Medical Review:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine W. Thomas London, MD - Hepatology Donald Sproule, MD, CM, CCFP, FCFP - Family Medicine
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