Steatosis is a term under which immediately combine a number of disorders, accompanied by the deposition of fat inside hepatocytes (functional liver cells). A similar pathology is diagnosed in different population groups, including children. Why does liver steatosis occur, what is it and what are its symptoms? Many people are interested in these issues.
Liver steatosis: what is it and what are its causes?
In fact, there are many factors that lead to the accumulation of fatty inclusions in the liver. It is immediately worth noting that quite often a similar pathology occurs in people who abuse alcohol and drugs. In some cases, the disease can be caused by poisoning with hazardous substances or drugs.
Steatosis indicates a violation of the normal metabolism of fats, therefore, such a disease is often associated with malnutrition and obesity. By the way, fasting and constant strict diets can also lead to fatty degeneration of the liver.
Sometimes this pathology is secondary and develops against the background of other diseases. In particular, risk factors include myxedema, diabetes mellitus and adrenal gland disorders, as hormonal imbalances also affect metabolism.
Forms of Liver Steatosis
In modern medicine, several varieties of the disease are distinguished. Steatosis can be either diffuse (fatty inclusions are evenly distributed over all tissues of the liver), and focal (there is one fat spot, which increases in size over time).
In addition, several stages of fatty infiltration are isolated - by the way, the main signs of liver steatosis depend on this. In the initial stages, the deposition of fats does not harm hepatocytes. As the disease develops, a gradual necrosis of the functional tissues of the organ begins. The pre-cirrhotic stage follows, in which not only the cells, but also the lobules of the liver change - such disorders are already irreversible.
What are the symptoms of the disease ?
Answering the question: “Liver steatosis - what is it?”, It should be noted first of all that this disease develops gradually, and its initial stages are rarely accompanied by any symptoms. Early steatosis in most cases is detected during an ultrasound examination of the abdominal organs.
The main symptoms most often appear even when fatty inclusions have filled most of the liver. Patients complain of severity and pain in the right hypochondrium, which appears during physical activity. Some disorders of the digestive system are also observed - patients feel nauseous. In some cases, pain appears after eating.
How to treat liver steatosis?
What is it, we have already figured out, now let's talk about therapy. Of course, in the initial stages the disease can still be cured. Even with irreversible changes, the right therapy will help prevent further complications. Therefore, in no case should you self-medicate and ignore the help of doctors!
In this case, it is very important to determine the cause of fatty infiltration. If steatosis is the result of alcoholism, then, of course, it is necessary to abandon such a bad habit. Also, the patient is prescribed lipotropic substances, in particular, the drug Essentiale, as well as methionine, vitamin B12 and other drugs.
Steatosis diet is also an important part of therapy. Proper nutrition will help reduce the amount of fat consumed without harming the body. Smoked meats, fatty and fried foods, mushrooms, legumes, coffee and spirits should be excluded from the diet. Instead, you need to enter easily digestible proteins into the menu.