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NAFLD
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a silent but potentially serious condition where fat accumulates in the liver, leading to inflammation, scarring and long-term damage. Dr. Nghia Nguyen at GastroDoxs offers personalized diagnosis, lifestyle guidance and advanced treatments in Houston.
Dr. Nghia Nguyen, DO, is a board-certified gastroenterologist providing advanced digestive care in the Greater Houston area. He earned his medical degree from the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed both his Internal Medicine residency and Gastroenterology fellowship at the University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley. Dr. Nguyen specializes in treating conditions such as acid reflux, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and liver disorders.
What Is NAFLD?
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) occurs when excess fat builds up in the liver of people who drink little or no alcohol. In early stages, most people have no symptoms. Over time, fat accumulation can cause liver inflammation, scarring (fibrosis), and may progress to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) or cirrhosis if left untreated.
Common Causes and Risk Factors
Being overweight or obese
Eating a diet high in sugar or refined carbohydrates
Type 2 diabetes or prediabetes
High cholesterol or triglyceride levels
Metabolic syndrome
Rapid weight loss or crash dieting
Signs and Symptoms
Often none in early stages
Feeling tired or weak
Mild pain or fullness in the upper right abdomen
Elevated liver enzymes on blood tests
Unexplained weight loss or abdominal swelling (in advanced cases)
How Dr. Nghia Nguyen Diagnoses NAFLD with?
Dr. Nguyen uses a step-by-step approach:
Medical History and Physical Exam
He reviews your full medical history, alcohol use, metabolic risk factors (like diabetes and high lipids), and asks specifically about epigastric discomfort or fullness in the upper right abdomen.
Blood Tests
He orders liver enzyme panels (ALT, AST), rules out viral hepatitis and other liver diseases, and assesses glucose, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels.
Imaging Studies
Abdominal ultrasound to detect fat accumulation and assess liver texture.
FibroScan (transient elastography) to quantify liver stiffness and the degree of steatosis.
NAFLD Fibrosis Score
Uses age, blood counts, liver enzymes, and other labs to estimate the amount of fibrosis and determine if further testing is needed.
Advanced Testing (if needed)
In select cases, he may recommend a liver biopsy to definitively stage inflammation and fibrosis when noninvasive tests are inconclusive.
Treatment
Our Team Offers a Full Range of Care for NASH (Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis)
1. Lifestyle and Diet Modifications
Individualized weight loss strategies to reduce liver inflammation and fat
Low-sugar, anti-inflammatory meal planning to support liver health
Exercise regimens aimed at improving insulin resistance and reducing fibrosis risk
Ongoing lifestyle coaching and patient education
2. Medications
Prescription of insulin sensitizers or vitamin E in appropriate patients
Management of comorbid conditions like diabetes, obesity, and high cholesterol
Access to clinical trials exploring new NASH treatments
Close lab monitoring to evaluate liver enzymes and disease progression
3. Advanced Testing and Procedures
Non-invasive liver stiffness measurement with FibroScan technology
Liver biopsy to assess inflammation and fibrosis severity if needed
Imaging studies such as ultrasound, CT, or MRI to rule out other liver diseases
Referral to liver specialists for advanced or complex NASH management
Dr. Nghia Nguyen, DO, is a board-certified gastroenterologist providing advanced digestive care in the Greater Houston area. He earned his medical degree from the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed both his Internal Medicine residency and Gastroenterology fellowship at the University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley. Dr. Nguyen specializes in treating conditions such as acid reflux, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and liver disorders.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best diet for NAFLD?
A Mediterranean-style eating plan—rich in vegetables, lean proteins, healthy fats, and low in added sugars—can help reduce liver fat.
Can I still work or serve in the military with NAFLD?
That depends on the stage of your disease. Dr. Nguyen can evaluate your condition and provide documentation for military medical review.
How long does it take to improve NAFLD?
Many patients see improvements in liver enzymes and imaging within 3-6 months when they commit to gradual weight loss and regular exercise.
What is a NAFLD fibrosis score?
The NAFLD fibrosis score uses age, blood test results, BMI, platelet count, albumin, and AST/ALT ratio to estimate liver scarring and guide further testing.
Can children have NAFLD?
Yes. Rising childhood obesity has led to more pediatric NAFLD cases. Early lifestyle intervention is key to preventing long-term damage.
Do I need a liver biopsy?
Most patients do not. Dr. Nguyen relies first on blood tests, ultrasound, FibroScan, and noninvasive scoring. A biopsy is reserved for unclear or advanced cases.
Are there medications that cure NAFLD?
There is no definitive cure yet. Treatment focuses on lifestyle changes, managing associated conditions, and in some cases Vitamin E, pioglitazone, or investigational therapies.
