Fatty hepatosis is a very insidious pathology, which for a long time can be completely asymptomatic. But with a timely defined diagnosis and competent therapy, it is almost always possible to avoid serious irreversible consequences. And for this you need to know how to recognize a fatty liver, and how to properly treat it.
What is this disease
Our liver is a unique organ that has the ability to recover. It is due to this that it can work for a long time even with increased loads. Unfortunately, people tend to often abuse these properties, constantly overloading the liver. As a result, the organ loses its ability to regenerate. Gradually, dangerous abnormal changes in the structure of the liver appear. The early stage of such changes is often fatty hepatosis.
What is he like? Fatty hepatosis, which is also called non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, is a pathology in which more than 5% of the body's weight consists of fat.
This ailment is associated with deviations in metabolic processes occurring in the liver. With this pathology, normal organ cells are slowly filled with products of fat metabolism, they gradually turn into adipose tissue. Doctors often call this disease fatty liver. At first, the pathological process is very slow. But as the disease progresses, the fatty liver ceases to cope with its work, because of which all other organs begin to suffer.
Causes of pathology
The trigger mechanism lies in the violation of fat metabolism. And the reason for this may be a number of factors. The main among them is an improper, unbalanced diet, in which a person regularly loads the body with an excessive amount of preservatives, fats, various food additives. It is because of overeating that excess weight appears, and in some cases even obesity.
True, despite this, fatty liver can also become in thin people. Typically, these patients experience malfunctioning carbohydrate metabolism and acute protein deficiency. Vegetarians and those who torment the body with strict diets are often exposed to this condition.
In addition, there are a number of other conditions in the presence of which the development of fatty hepatosis is not ruled out.
Such factors can provoke a disease:
abuse of alcohol, drugs;
overweight;
disruptions in metabolic processes in diabetes;
increased volume of liver enzymes;
some viruses, for example, hepatitis C and B;
hereditary pathologies associated with abnormalities in the urea and fat oxidation cycles;
taking certain medications, for example, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
genetic factors;
oxygen deficiency in heart and lung defects;
physical inactivity;
arterial hypertension;
atherosclerosis;
prolonged contact with toxic, toxic substances, for example, pesticides, industrial solutions, gasoline.
In parallel, the patient develops diabetes and increases the amount of lipids in the blood. At the same time, the risk of the appearance of cardiovascular defects is significantly increased.
The disease is based on insulin resistance and interruptions in metabolic processes, most often carbohydrate and lipid. Fatty liver disease occurs against the background of too high intake of fatty acids.
Risk group
Most likely to become a victim of fatty hepatosis are people who regularly abuse alcohol, take hormones or antibiotics for a long time, as well as those who work in harmful industries, such as chemists, painters, miners and metallurgists. Fans of fast snacks and street fast food are at increased risk of developing the disease, because such food contains a huge amount of all kinds of additives that overload the liver.
People leading a sedentary lifestyle are also at risk. And all because in the organs of a person who is constantly sitting, fluid stagnation is formed. This phenomenon, in turn, provokes the development of pathogenic microflora, which poison the liver and the whole body.
Among other things, the risk group includes people with pathologies of the digestive tract associated with the processes of lipid absorption and bile production. An equally important role in fatty liver disease is played by endocrine diseases, especially diabetes mellitus, insulin resistance, and a deficiency of certain hormones.
What is dangerous pathology
If the treatment of fatty liver is not started in time, the symptoms of the disease will progress and eventually develop into cirrhosis. In the last 30 years, it is this pathology that most often leads to the development of cirrhosis and the need for transplantation.
For many years, fatty hepatosis was considered a non-dangerous disease, but over time it became clear that with this pathology, the risks of the onset of cardiovascular defects and diabetes mellitus increase significantly.
The prevalence of fatty liver is about 20-25%, and among overweight people - about 90%. Most often, the disease appears at the age of 40-60 years. It is much more common among women.
Symptoms of Fatty Liver
The treatment of this pathology is most often delayed for one simple reason: the disease is asymptomatic. Especially when it comes to the initial stage. But over time, a change in the liver by type of fatty hepatosis still gives itself out, and a person begins to reveal some signs of the disease.
Patients usually complain of:
discomfort in the right hypochondrium;
enlargement of the liver, its abnormal bulging;
bitterness in the mouth;
nausea
a feeling of heaviness in the corresponding area.
Specific changes can be detected during ultrasound.
Diagnostics
The main way to detect diffuse changes in the liver by fat type is ultrasound. Which allows you to evaluate not only the size of the organ, but also its structure. But an ultrasound shows the presence of adipose tissue only if it occupies more than 30% of the liver.
A more informative and accurate method of examination is considered indirect elastometry performed on a new generation apparatus "Fibrascan." This technique allows you to quickly and without tissue injury to detect liver changes by type of fatty hepatosis. During such an examination, pathology can be detected, even if the volume of adipose tissue does not exceed 5%. It can even save the life of the patient.
How to treat fatty liver
It is actually difficult, but necessary, to treat hepatosis. Treatment of fatty liver is aimed at removing excess lipids from the damaged organ and stabilizing metabolic processes. This is the only way to achieve full recovery.
Whatever the cause of the fatty liver, treatment should begin with a change in the patient's lifestyle. During hepatosis therapy, it is necessary:
reduce weight, get rid of extra pounds;
Cross out fatty and fried foods, sodas and alcohol from the daily menu;
exercise regularly;
take prescribed medications;
completely switch to a balanced, healthy diet.
Endocrinologists and hepatologists are involved in the treatment of fatty liver. The first specialist deals with the elimination of the initial causes of pathology, and the second - the consequences of their influence.
If you have already been diagnosed, do not give up. Timely therapy and competent intervention can improve the prognosis of such an insidious disease.
The main symptom of a fatty liver is the accumulation of particles of fat in its cells. But do not forget that this body has a unique ability to recover. So the state of hepatosis can be reversible, at least partially. True, only subject to the application of efforts by the patient himself and the absence of serious chronic liver pathologies.
Drug therapy
For the treatment of hepatosis, the first thing to do is to eliminate the provoking factors that lead to weakening of the liver and disruption of its functioning. Of greatest importance in therapy is diet in combination with physical education. But without such medications, with such a diagnosis, one also can not do.
With hepatosis, various drugs can be prescribed: to eliminate the symptoms of fatty liver, digestive and absorption disorders, restore the body and normalize the functions of the biliary system.
Most often in therapy, doctors use:
lipotropic drugs that stabilize lipid metabolism - lipoic acid, vitamin B12, Lipocaine, Essential, Methionine;
funds designed to normalize blood flow - B vitamins and folic acid;
steroids that enhance protein production - Retabolil, Methandrostenolon;
hepatoprotectors - "Ripazon", "Prohepar", "Urosal", "Sirepar";
Essential phospholipids that contain polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids.
Nutrition basics
When treating non-alcoholic fatty liver, balanced, proper nutrition comes to the fore. A therapeutic diet helps to eliminate the initial causes of the disease and prevent its further progress.
It is very important for patients with such a diagnosis to adhere to the rules of fractional nutrition - meals should be taken at least 5 times a day, but in small portions, the size of a fist. It is equally important to observe the drinking regime - during the day you need to drink at least one and a half liters of water. All this is necessary to activate the metabolism, which will help the liver to be in good shape - so it will not overwork and put off harmful lipids.
What is forbidden
With fatty liver, any alcohol, energy and carbonated drinks, caffeine should be excluded from the diet. In addition, the categorical prohibition includes:
sausages and smoked meats;
canned foods;
spicy, fatty and fried foods;
rich fatty soups and broths;
fatty meats and fish;
offal;
mushrooms;
spicy spices.
What is useful
It is recommended to eat as many foods as possible that are saturated with fiber, fresh and boiled vegetables, vegetable stews and salads.
A therapeutic diet for liver diseases can not do without cucumbers, cabbage, pumpkin, carrots, zucchini, beets.
As for cereals, it is best to give preference to rice, buckwheat, oatmeal. You can add to the diet low-fat varieties of meat and fish, seafood, borscht, pickles, soups, but cooked on lean broths.
During the week, you can eat a maximum of 4 eggs, the number of cheeses should be moderate. Bread should be selected from wholemeal. Very useful greens - lettuce, dill, parsley, as well as all kinds of teas and decoctions of rose hips, mountain ash, lemon balm, mint. All dishes should be baked, stewed, boiled or steamed.
Sample menu
In general, the menu should be balanced and comply with all the rules:
You need to lower the amount of saturated fat in the diet. In other words, trans fats, which are formed in the process of frying, margarine, red meat, coconut and palm oil, should be abandoned.
Reduce the volume in the menu of simple sugars - juices, jams, sweet carbonated drinks.
Increase the intake of monounsaturated fatty acids found in nuts, soy, olive oil, and sunflower seeds. The same goes for polyunsaturated fatty acids - they can be found in flax seeds, sea fish and lettuce.
Add oligofructose to the diet, which is a probiotic and positively affects the microflora of the digestive tract. This carbohydrate also has a positive effect on the level of lipids and blood sugar, and also has an anti-inflammatory effect. You can find a miracle substance in chicory, leek, garlic, artichokes, asparagus.
On the way to recovery, an approximate menu for fatty liver for a week will help you:
Monday. Breakfast - oatmeal soup, rye bread and a slice of cheese. The second breakfast is a pear. Lunch - rice, fish meatballs, compote. Snack - a glass of skim milk with a few crusts of crackers. Dinner - vinaigrette, boiled egg, kefir and some dried apricots.
Tuesday. Breakfast - semolina porridge with strawberry jam, milkshake with granola. Lunch - low-fat cottage cheese with fresh berries or sour cream. Lunch - a glass of milk, rice soup, meatloaf roll. Snack - a salad of grated carrots. Dinner - beetroot salad with nuts and dried fruits, cabbage rolls with rice and chicken, weak green tea.
Wednesday. Breakfast - pancakes from semolina and raisins, berry pudding from cottage cheese, tea with milk. Lunch - mashed fresh fruit. Lunch - buckwheat soup, a piece of beef, a salad of cucumbers and cabbage. Snack - a baked apple with honey. Dinner - pike perch, baked in sour cream, mashed potatoes or rice porridge.
Thursday. Breakfast - cheesecakes with dried apricots, a portion of buckwheat, a rosehip broth, a slice of cheese. Lunch - carrot juice, a portion of low-fat cottage cheese. Lunch - fish fillet baked in sour cream, pumpkin porridge and green tea without sugar, you can add honey. Afternoon snack - an omelet from two eggs with milk. Dinner - boiled or stewed cabbage, rice, apple juice.
Friday. Breakfast - omelet with vegetables, carrot salad and a slice of cheese, apple juice or compote. Lunch - yogurt, any fruit. Lunch - lean soup with zucchini, steamed cod, a glass of skim milk. Snack - rice or semolina pudding. Dinner - chicken casserole, weak black tea, marshmallows.
Saturday. Breakfast - oatmeal in milk, low-fat cottage cheese with pomegranate, jelly from berries. Lunch - boiled cabbage with rice, a glass of kefir. Lunch - beetroot soup, beef cutlet, buckwheat, pear juice. Afternoon snack - applesauce with carrots. Dinner - baked beef, stewed cabbage with carrots, berry juice.
Sunday. Breakfast - an omelet from two eggs, a portion of cottage cheese with grated fruits, a milkshake with berries. Lunch - vinaigrette and a piece of boiled fish. Lunch - fish cakes, mashed potatoes, vegetable salad, compote. Snack - pasta casserole with vegetables and cheese, a herbal broth with honey. Dinner - fish soup, pumpkin and apple salad, a glass of skim milk.
Above all else, try to avoid consuming foods containing monosodium glutamate. This component increases the risk of developing fatty hepatosis. It also leads to the onset of inflammation and increases the level of lipids in the blood.
Such a diet allows you to alleviate the signs of fatty liver, normalize the lipid level, prevent further progression of the disease and reduce the severity of inflammation. In addition, such a diet helps to lose weight. But starving with such a disease is not recommended.
Physiotherapy
Patients with a diagnosis of "fatty hepatosis" should not resort to power loads and lean on dumbbells, it is also useless to exhaust yourself with cardio workouts. To begin with, a moderate load, for example, sports walking for half an hour, is quite enough. After some time, you can introduce minor cardio workouts. So you can gradually strengthen the muscles and normalize calorie consumption. With fatty liver disease, systematic training, even without getting rid of extra pounds, will help improve the condition of the damaged organ.
But it is worthwhile to understand that proper weight loss is no more than 0.5 kilograms per week. But sudden weight loss entails a massive breakdown of fats, due to which free fatty acids enter the affected organ. As a result, instead of improvement, aggravation may come.
Therapy Features
Often, fatty hepatosis arises from diabetes mellitus. In such a situation, it is very important to understand that treatment of the disease will be simply meaningless without monitoring the underlying pathology and blood sugar level. In advanced cases, therapy should be carried out under the constant supervision of a specialist.
It is no secret to anyone that minerals and vitamins occupy an important place in the general state of health and even well-being. According to doctors, many of them play a significant role in both prevention and complex therapy of fatty hepatosis. For example, B vitamins help neutralize and eliminate toxins and other harmful substances from the body, improve digestion and lower blood cholesterol.
Among all the B vitamins, it is worth highlighting B4-choline. This element is involved in the movement and metabolism of lipids in the liver.
Do not forget about vitamins C and E, which are natural antioxidants. These substances effectively fight free radicals.
Due to the fact that the fatty liver often does not manifest itself in any way, you should systematically visit a specialist and undergo appropriate examinations. And during treatment it is very important to follow all the instructions of the doctor.