Fatty hepatosis is commonly understood as a chronic reversible process that develops in the liver due to excessive accumulation of lipids in its cells. Currently, there is an increase in patients with this diagnosis. The blame for the wrong diet and inactive lifestyle. It is possible to stop the progression of the disease if provoking factors are excluded. Changes for the better begin to occur within a month after the start of the course of therapy.
What is fatty hepatosis?
The concept of “hepatosis” combines the conditions associated with the violation of metabolic processes in liver cells. As a result, their degeneration is observed, and various substances (fats, elements of connective tissue, porphyrins) are deposited. In this case, inflammatory changes are not recorded.
Fatty liver hepatosis is a degenerative disease. It is characterized by a violation of the metabolism of fats in hepatocytes with their gradual accumulation in the body. Hepatosis can rightly be called a pathology of the modern world. A large number of high-calorie foods and refined carbohydrates are not found in nature, but are artificially created by man. The abuse of such products leads to a violation of the metabolism of fats in the body and hepatocytes.
The disease is most often diagnosed in women after 45 years. Men suffer from its manifestations much less often. This is due to changes in the body of a postmenopausal woman. At this time, there is a change in metabolism with an increase in blood fat. In every fourth patient, hepatosis goes into the inflammatory-necrotic process - steatohepatitis, accompanied by the death of liver cells. Over time, they are replaced by connective tissue, which entails the formation of cirrhosis.
The mechanism of the development of the disease
What is fatty hepatosis can be better understood if we consider the pathogenesis of the disease.
The liver is an organ that simultaneously performs many functions. One of them is the processing, decomposition and neutralization of incoming substances. Once in the body, any product undergoes strict control from the side of the liver, which by splitting turns its components into simple fats. In the case of a constant intake of excess fat, they inevitably begin to accumulate in the body. As a result, there are changes in the liver - fatty hepatosis.
The accumulation of simple fats sooner or later triggers the mechanism of degenerative degeneration of healthy tissue into a denser one. It becomes an obstacle to the full functioning of the body, which as a result leads to its dysfunction.
The next step is the replacement of dense cicatricial fatty tissue of the liver. First, fibrosis develops, and then cirrhosis. The latter is quite difficult to treat, and in advanced cases it leads to death. The growth of connective tissue gradually captures all healthy cells and completely replaces them. That is why it is so important to know what fatty hepatosis is, what are the causes of its appearance and initial symptoms.
Main reasons
The liver is an organ that has amazing regenerative ability and huge internal reserves. To maintain its work, only 1/7 of the total mass is enough. The liver for a long time can work with increased loads, since hepatocytes are restored. However, everything has a limit.
When a large amount of fats and carbohydrates, flavor enhancers, preservatives and food additives are present in the human diet from early childhood, the liver early loses its ability to withstand toxic loads. As a result, her diseases develop.
The main cause of fatty hepatosis in men is alcohol, in adolescents - the abuse of energy drinks, drugs. In addition, 65% of overweight patients are susceptible to this disease. However, it also occurs in thin people. Other causes of fatty hepatosis are the following:
- protein deficiency in the diet;
- craze for diets;
- weight "swing" (sharp weight loss and weight gain);
- diabetes;
- chronic pancreatitis;
- hypoxia on the background of cardiac and bronchopulmonary failure;
- food poisoning;
- uncontrolled medication;
- hormonal disorders;
- exposure to environmental toxins (industrial emissions, contaminated water, pesticides, etc.).
Usually, the pathological process develops against the background of excessive intake of lipids in the blood. Sometimes this happens when the body is unable to remove excess fat. Violation of this function is often due to a deficiency of biologically active substances involved in lipid metabolism (for example, proteins).
Clinical picture
Despite the changes taking place in the body, signs of fatty hepatosis do not appear immediately. They become noticeable only at the 2-3 stages of the disease. Patients usually complain of:
- pain in the right side of a aching character;
- heaviness in the right hypochondrium;
- fatigue;
- aversion to food;
- excessive salivation;
- wen on the eyelids;
- bloody rash;
- body aches;
- frequent colds;
- itchy skin.
As the disease progresses, an increase in the size of the hepatic lobes is observed. Against the background of an increase in the blood level of bilirubin, the skin acquires a yellowish tint. In connection with irritation of the nerve endings, itching occurs, intensifying at night.
Impaired liver function affects immunity. Due to the weakening of the body's defenses, frequent colds appear, chronic infections worsen.
Severity
The initial stage of the disease is defined as a violation of the type of fatty hepatosis of a local nature. Separate small-drop deposits of lipids are formed in a limited area of the organ. With an increase in their number and volume of foci, the doctor usually diagnoses the first degree of pathology. Clinically, it is manifested exclusively by discomfort on the part of the digestive system, the appearance of fat deposits mainly on the side of the thighs.
Its progression is characterized by an increase in extracellular obesity, the concentration of lipids inside the hepatocytes. Therefore, the elements of the liver swell, which makes it possible to diagnose the second degree of the disease. In this case, fat deposits appear on various parts of the body (thighs, buttocks, stomach, arms, face). Nausea and feelings of bitterness in the mouth haunt patients constantly. Also, the disease is accompanied by problems with stool.
With the third degree, pronounced intracellular steatosis, fatty cysts and cords from the connective tissue are detected. The disease is accompanied by signs of chronic liver failure (ascites, jaundice, varicose veins of the esophagus). In severe cases, the diffuse form of the disease is confirmed when there is a total degeneration of tissues that captures the entire area of the organ.
Pregnancy and liver hepatosis
Many pregnant women know what fatty hepatosis is. This disease does not bypass the fair sex, who are in an interesting position. Its appearance may be due to changes in the hormonal background or excessive use of high-calorie foods.
Hepatosis during pregnancy is dangerous for its complications. They can occur both in the process of carrying the baby, and during delivery. In especially serious cases, the pathology leads to a fatal outcome in the mother. The most dangerous period is from 29 to 38 weeks. However, these terms are very arbitrary. The disease may occur earlier. Its main manifestations during pregnancy are the following:
- yellowing of the skin, sclera and eye proteins;
- general weakness and malaise;
- a change in the shade of feces to a lighter;
- darkening of urine;
- a feeling of bitterness in the mouth;
- constant bouts of heartburn;
- vomiting mixed with bile;
- pain and discomfort in the right hypochondrium;
- loss of appetite.
If symptoms of fatty hepatosis occur, treatment should be started immediately and only under the supervision of a physician.
Possible complications
Fatty hepatosis over time leads to liver dysfunction, which is deadly. Gradual intoxication negatively affects the work of the heart, kidneys and lungs, provoking irreversible disturbances. Typically, hepatosis is transformed into cirrhosis, and this disease is not subject to therapy.
Among the most common consequences of degenerative liver disease, doctors distinguish the following:
- Stagnation forms in the gallbladder, which leads to cholecystitis, pancreatitis and the formation of stones. As a result, food ceases to be completely digested, it overloads the intestines, and dysbiosis develops.
- Defective liver function gradually leads to a deficiency in the body of vital trace elements. As a result, the work of the cardiac system, the state of the blood arteries worsens. There is hypertension, varicose veins.
- Against the background of hepatosis, immunity almost always occurs. This leads to frequent colds, infectious and fungal pathologies.
In order to prevent the listed health problems, treatment should begin immediately if the initial symptoms of fatty hepatosis appear.
Diagnostic Methods
Diagnosis of the disease always begins with an examination of the patient. The doctor also examines his medical history, complaints and possible clinical manifestations. On palpation of the right hypochondrium, an enlargement of the liver is usually detected. The procedure itself is accompanied by pain and discomfort.
Then go to instrumental diagnostic methods. They include the following activities:
- Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity;
- MRI and CT;
- liver biopsy.
The last variant of the examination is painful, therefore it is carried out only after preliminary anesthesia. The detection of fat cells in the test material is an absolute confirmation of the preliminary diagnosis. Despite the high informational content of the biopsy, it is not shown to all patients. In the presence of poor blood coagulability, the procedure is contraindicated.
After examining the patient, the doctor offers several options for how to treat fatty hepatosis. The basis of therapy is the use of drugs and dieting. In addition, patients should change their lifestyle and exclude provocative factors (alcohol, smoking). In case of urgent need, you will need to refuse to take certain medications in consultation with your doctor.
Drug therapy
The treatment of liver fatty hepatosis with drugs has two directions:
- normalization of metabolic processes;
- protection and restoration of the liver.
In the first case, therapy is based on the use of drugs to regulate carbohydrate-lipid metabolism, as well as restorative agents. Any medications imply an additional burden on the digestive tract, so the doctor should choose the treatment regimen. In this case, it is a gastroenterologist. At the initial stages of the development of the disease, it is enough to adhere to a diet, to avoid toxic effects. If the body alone does not cope with metabolic processes, drug support is recommended. Usually prescribed drugs from the following groups:
- Insulin-sensitizing drugs (Metformin, Troglizaton). They increase tissue sensitivity to insulin. Due to this, glucose in the blood is transformed into energy, and is not stored in the form of fat deposits. In addition, such drugs stop the inflammatory and fibrotic processes in the liver.
- Medicines that reduce blood lipids (Lopid, Gemfibrozil).
- Drugs that neutralize the effects of alcoholic hepatosis (Actigall).
- Vitamins of group B, C, folic acid.
- Antispasmodics (No-shpa, Papaverin). Shown with severe pain in the right hypochondrium.
The second group of drugs is hepatoprotectors. Their main function is to protect the liver elements, stimulate the regeneration process. According to medical reviews, fatty hepatosis always requires individual treatment. This also applies to the appointment of hepatoprotectors. They have different composition and effect. Most often prescribed Essentiale, Hepabene, Ursofalk. Thanks to the action of hepatoprotectors, liver cells do not regenerate completely, but strengthen and restore their functions. With a healthy lifestyle and proper nutrition, drug therapy can prevent the further progression of hepatosis, the development of complications.
Menu for fatty hepatosis
All patients, without exception, after confirming the diagnosis of hepatosis, it is recommended to follow a diet. It pursues several goals: normalization of blood parameters, weight loss, elimination of excess load from the digestive tract. Starvation, the use of fat burners and other drugs for weight loss are strictly prohibited. You should adhere to the principles of fractional nutrition in combination with physical activity.
Is it possible to use salty and spicy foods with fatty hepatosis? They are strictly prohibited. You will also have to give up fried foods, preservatives, various chemical additives and alcohol. Beans, mushrooms, fatty dairy products, and spices will have to be limited. Food should be as natural as possible. It is better to cook it in a double boiler or oven, and serve it warm and chopped.
The diet should mainly consist of fresh vegetables, vegetarian soups, a variety of cereals, dairy products. As for protein products, it is better to choose lean meats (colic, turkey, veal) and fish. A sample menu for fatty hepatosis is as follows:
- First breakfast. Porridge on the water or fat-free cottage cheese, black tea.
- Lunch. Fruits or dried fruits.
- Dinner. Vegetable soup, buckwheat porridge, compote.
- An afternoon snack. Rosehip broth, unsweetened cookies or bread rolls.
- Dinner. Mashed potatoes with fish, green salad.
Based on the above principles and examples, you can easily create a menu for a week with fatty hepatosis. If necessary, consult your doctor.
Help traditional medicine
The treatment of fatty hepatosis with folk remedies is recommended to be used as an addition to the drug course. Below are the most effective recipes used to stop the symptoms of the disease:
- To alleviate nausea and heaviness in the right hypochondrium, tea with lemon balm and mint helps. It should be drunk directly during an exacerbation of the disease.
- To remove toxins from the body, enrich it with microelements and vitamins, a rosehip broth helps. To prepare it, you will need 50 g of fruit, pour 0.5 l of boiling water, insist for 12 hours. Take a decoction three times a day, 150 ml.
- Lemon infusion helps break down fats and reduce liver size. You will need to grind 3 lemons together with the zest, pour 0.5 liters of boiling water and leave overnight. In the morning, drink a third of the liquid, and the remainder in equal proportions another two times a day. The treatment is repeated for three consecutive days, after which it is necessary to take a break for 4 days.
- To stimulate the outflow of bile and normalize the liver, use a decoction of milk thistle. This tool also helps to restore hepatocytes, accelerate the process of protein synthesis.
- At home, you can cook a special liver collection. You will need to take 3 parts of St. John's wort, plantain, caterpillar and burdock. Mix with two parts of immortelle leaves, Eleutherococcus, add one part of pharmacy chamomile. All components should be mixed. Pour 200 ml of boiling water over one tablespoon, insist for half an hour, strain. Take the medicine three times a day before meals. The duration of such therapy is 2 months.
Alternative treatment of fatty liver hepatosis can not be used as the only option to combat the disease. In addition, before starting therapy, you should consult your doctor.
Prevention Methods
How to treat fatty hepatosis is described a little higher in the article. Can this disease be prevented? Prevention is not particularly difficult, it is enough to follow the following recommendations:
- Minimize the amount of animal fat consumed. However, you should not completely abandon such products.
- Maintain a minimum level of physical activity daily. Inactivity is extremely negative for the liver. It is not necessary to go to the gym and exhaust the body with heavy loads. It is enough to swim in the pool, often walk or do yoga / Pilates.
- You should eat often, but in small portions. In this case, the liver will not experience stress and work at an accelerated pace.
- It is better to abandon alcohol, energy drinks.
- It is important to monitor your blood sugar.
- We should not forget about the drinking regimen. Up to two liters of clean liquid are recommended per day.
According to patients and their reviews, fatty liver disease is a serious but reversible disease. When its initial symptoms appear, you should immediately consult a doctor. In the first stages, to eliminate the disease, it is enough to follow a simple diet. In advanced cases, it will be necessary not only to adjust nutrition and lifestyle, but also to take medications. However, if you clearly follow the doctor’s recommendations, the prognosis is favorable.