Fatty Liver Disease

Overview

Fatty liver disease, often called non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is a condition that occurs when there is excess fat in the liver’s cells. The term NAFLD is used to describe liver conditions that are present in people who do not abuse alcohol. This condition affects about one-fourth of people living in the United States, and it is the most prevalent type of chronic liver disease.

In some cases, NAFLD will progress to a condition called nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, a severe form of fatty liver disease that eventually progresses to cirrhosis and liver failure, resulting in damage similar to what is seen with alcohol abuse.

Applicable Procedures

Liver Biopsy

What causes fatty liver disease?

Experts are still uncertain about the exact causes of fatty liver disease, but there are some risk factors that can increase a person’s chances of developing this condition. Risk factors include being overweight or obese, having high levels of triglycerides in the blood, insulin resistance, and elevated blood sugar levels. High cholesterol, sleep apnea, type 2 diabetes, polycystic ovarian syndrome, underactive thyroid, and problems with the pituitary gland can also increase the risk.

What are the consequences of fatty liver disease?

Over time, fatty liver disease can lead to cirrhosis of the liver, which causes severe scarring and is linked to a range of complications, including fluid buildup, liver cancer, and liver failure.

How is fatty liver disease treated?

In most cases, the preferred treatment for fatty liver disease is a combination of healthy diet and exercise, in order to promote weight loss. A weight loss of 10% of body weight is ideal, and some people may benefit from weight loss surgery. If you have diabetes, it is important to control your blood sugar levels to protect your liver. Lowering your cholesterol and avoiding alcohol also protect the liver from further damage. Those who develop cirrhosis of the liver may require a liver transplant.

Common Symptoms

“I didn’t have any symptoms of fatty liver disease, but when I had routine blood work done, my liver enzyme levels were abnormal.”
“I started to feel really tired all the time, and I had pain in the upper right portion of my stomach.”
“I noticed yellowing of my skin and swelling in my stomach.”

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What They Are Saying

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Excellent

Center For Digestive Health, Rochester Hills4.8

Based on 6265 reviews

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donnie W.

Great experience from start to finish the doctor and nurses were great and made me feel very comfortable.

Randy J.

Very professional and well run Medical Center.

Dennis I.

My experience was very good. All the staff was very professional and friendly.

Kathy Y.

Kind, caring, professional.

Don C.

It was a very good overall experience! Thanks to everyone who had participated in my procedure!!

Natalie M.

Such a phenomenal experience from the moment I walked to the front desk for processing until I was escorted out the facility! The ENTIRE staff was completely amazing & very personable. Everyone who assisted with my procedure was truly comforting, thorough in explaining their role with me & ensured I was good at all times! Dr Donat came referred by my primary physician & I’m thankful for that. Continue the GREAT work, guys! Highly recommend!

Kirsten S.

Dr. Quallich is excellent and the entire staff was very accommodating.

carol S.

Everyone was warm and very professional. Our tele visit with Dr Bakken was one of the most positive visits with a doctor. She is kind, she listens, she was very prepared for the call she was extremely thorough and methodical. I can’t remember the med tech’s name but she was also 5 stars. She helped coordinate the call and followed up immediately with a prescription. I highly recommend Dr Bakken and her office.

James W.

Staff is very friendly, they address any concerns you have and put your mind at ease going into procedure.

B M.

The staff was friendly and helpful. The communication prior to the procedure was outstanding and informative.

Treceil F.

I was very pleased with the communication with staff and Dr. Nandi during my preparation and subsequent procedures. everyone was friendly and efficient and explained everything that was about to happen. I was comfortable during the prep and the procedures that progressed quickly and was back home in a timely manner. Thank you.

Bob W.

Friendly professional staff Dr Nandi is first rate!

Jaye H.

Everyone was so professional and kind. Very good experience. Dr. Donat and staff were great.

robbie G.

Excellent staff and Doctors. They treated me very well. I would highly recommend this facility.

Paul B.

Extremely efficient operation. Basically in and out in just over an hour for a colonoscopy. Detailed report received, extremely professional staff!

Christopher V.

Great office everyone very helpful and polite. I will recommend to everyone.

Brian A.

Very professional and on time. Great staff and Doctors.

R R.

Safe, clean, courteous and professional. Dr Wille is great and the staff is helpful.

Kathy T.

My husband is a patient of Dr Quallich at Center for Digestive Health/Troy. We had a Tela visit. With him. He is a very up beat person with a great personality. We are able to get all are questions answered. These Tela visits are more to the point. More things get accomplished. Very pleased with the visit.

Teresa D.

Every person I dealt with at Center for Digestive Health was super nice! No complaints at all. On time. Fast and efficient!

Terrell J.

This was my 1st time there and my experience was 100 time better than with my previous G.I doctors office. So far all A's in my book

Kevin D.

The entire team is very professional and kind. Thanks for your excellent care!

Scout L.

The staff and Drs are always so caring and helpful. Would recommend.

Bill E.

The experience was great. No waiting time and Dr. Weber and his staff were very pleasant. All in all a very nice experience. I would highly recommend them.

King C.

I was very comfortable with the staff.

The Center for Digestive Health4.8

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Susan M.

Everyone is very nice. They answer all questions so you understand the answers. I have been going to Dr. Bologna for many years and he is one of the best. Always very pleasant and takes his time with you.

Tina Di C.

I highly recommend Dr. Donat. The anesthesiologist was excellent, and all the staff were pleasant and helpful!"

Olaf K.

I was able to schedule my CT scan on a short notice for the same week. Unfortunately it was a cash only procedure - which is on the insurance - but the price was considerable less than at Corewell. The facility was uncrowded and the result was available the same day.

Susan C.

I felt as if I was with family members during the whole procedure. Everyone is very accommodating and professional. I recommend Dr. Bologna to everyone!

Our Doctors

We’re proud of our team here at Digestive Health Institute. Our health care providers include some of the very best colorectal surgeons, gastroenterologists and physician assistants. To learn more about our qualified team of specialists, please visit our providers page.

Amir Abadir MD, FRCPC

Anezi E. Bakken MD, MS

Sante D. Bologna MD, FACP

M. Emin Donat MD, FRCPC

Partha S. Nandi

Jack Tocco DO

John R. Weber MD

Richard T. Wille MD

Tusar Desai MD

Aalia Saeed, MD

Christina N. Brown, MD

FAQs

What happens during my first visit?

If you are a new patient, you can expect to have a complete physical exam. You will also be asked detailed questions about your current problems and your past medical history, your current medications, allergies, your family history and other pertinent medical information. If you are taking medications, please bring a completed medical history form with you to your appointment. Once the physician has reviewed your medical information and completed the physical examination, a plan of care will be developed. You may need to be seen again in the office, be referred back to your family physician for follow-up care, or require additional testing. If additional tests are needed, we will assist you in scheduling these tests.

What if I need to schedule an endoscopic procedure?

An endoscopic procedure allows the physician to visualize a part of your gastrointestinal tract with a special instrument called an endoscope. If your family physician has ordered testing, you will be contacted by telephone by one of our staff members. If a physician orders testing and you are in the office, the procedure can generally be scheduled during the course of your visit. You will be given a date, time, and location for the test, as well as written instructions telling you how to prepare for the test. If you have any questions about the procedure, please feel free to ask one of our staff members or the physician.

How do I get test results?

We ask that you wait 10 to 14 days before contacting us for results. Often results come from several different sources. This information needs to be compiled and reviewed by your physician before you can be appropriately advised.

What insurances do you accept?

We accept payment from most insurance companies including Medicare, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Blue Care Network, Physicians Health Plan, Cofinity, Sparrow Professional Health Network, Medicaid, McLaren, Health Plus, and several others. Accepted insurances are subject to change at any time without notice.

If your insurance requires an authorization from your primary care physician, you may be asked to assist us in obtaining this authorization.

All patients are responsible for all copays and deductibles at the time of service.

If you have any questions regarding your benefits or insurance coverage, please contact our Billing Department at 248-844-9710.

What if I need to contact the doctor?

To contact your doctor during business hours please call our main number 248-844-9710. If you have an urgent need to speak with the doctor after hours, you will be rerouted to our after hours answering service, and your doctor will be paged. In the case of a medical emergency please proceed directly to the nearest hospital emergency room.

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