Fatty liver hepatosis refers to degenerative lesions. The insidiousness of this ailment lies in the fact that it can be asymptomatic for quite some time. Because of this, a visit to the doctor is postponed. The disease is often detected already in neglected form, when changes in liver cells become irreversible. In the early stages of the disease, the organ can still be restored. Therefore, patients should know as much as possible about the symptoms and treatment of fatty liver hepatosis. This disease is quite widespread, but not always diagnosed in a timely manner.
What is fatty hepatosis?
This disease is characterized by pathological changes in the liver cells (hepatocytes). With fatty liver hepatosis, lipids accumulate in them. This can be due to improper lifestyles, obesity, chronic illnesses, or prolonged medication use. As a result, hepatocytes turn into adipose tissue, die and cease to function.
In the later stages of the disease, connective tissue forms in the liver. In this case, hepatosis gradually turns into cirrhosis of the liver.
Accumulations of fat can be observed in certain small areas of the body. Moreover, they are scattered. In this case, doctors diagnose "diffuse liver changes by type of fatty hepatosis."
If the fat content is more than 10% of the liver mass, then this means that about half of the cells underwent pathological changes. In this case, we are talking about focal hepatosis. With such an extensive lesion, the blood supply to the organ is disrupted. The liver begins to process toxic substances poorly. This, in turn, exacerbates and accelerates cell degradation.
Causes of the disease
Degenerative changes in hepatocytes occur either due to excessive intake of lipids in the body, or due to a violation of their metabolism. The following causes of fatty liver hepatosis can be distinguished:
- Overweight. The cause of obesity is most often the excessive consumption of lipids with food. This leads to their accumulation in hepatocytes. Of particular danger is abdominal obesity, in which excess adipose tissue is concentrated in the abdomen.
- Improper nutrition. Excess fat enters the body with food.
- High cholesterol. A large amount of lipids in the blood causes their accumulation in the liver cells.
- Diabetes. This disease leads to a serious metabolic disorder, including fat. In addition, many diabetics are overweight.
- Hypertension. This pathology is most often associated with atherosclerosis, in which lipid metabolism is impaired.
In addition, all the adverse factors affecting the liver can lead to fatty degeneration of hepatocytes:
- excessive alcohol consumption;
- viral hepatitis infection;
- excess production of liver enzymes;
- prolonged use of drugs (especially hormones and antibiotics);
- work in hazardous chemical industry;
- hereditary factors.
However, not only people who overeat and consume a lot of fatty foods are sick with hepatosis. Often there are patients who practice too strict diets and starvation. In this case, the body has a lack of protein and vitamins, which leads to a violation of carbohydrate metabolism and hepatosis.
Degrees of liver damage
With fatty liver hepatosis, doctors distinguish several degrees of organ damage. They depend on the prevalence of dystrophic changes:
- In the first degree of hepatocyte damage, small accumulations of fat cells occur. They are located in small groups at a great distance from each other. Such a disorder is called diffuse changes in the liver according to the type of fatty hepatosis. This is the initial stage of the disease. Patients usually do not have complaints, and changes are detected by chance during the medical examination.
- In the second degree of the disease, the amount of fat in the liver becomes larger. Blotches of fibrous tissue appear.
- In the third stage, fatty deposits are observed, and healthy tissue is replaced by connective tissue in large areas. Such changes are the beginning of cirrhosis.
Symptoms and treatment of hepatic fatty liver disease depend on the degree of pathology. The more pronounced changes in the cells, the stronger the clinical picture of the disease.
Symptomatology
At the initial stage, the disease can proceed without symptoms. With small diffuse changes in the liver, the patient's well-being does not deteriorate. Then the first signs of fatty liver hepatosis appear:
- a feeling of heaviness and discomfort on the right side under the ribs;
- fatigue
- poor performance;
- nausea;
- aversion to certain types of food;
- frequent colds due to a drop in immunity;
- slight yellowing of the skin.
During a medical examination, an increase and a slight soreness in the liver are detected.
With the course of pathology in humans, all metabolic processes are disturbed. Due to insulin resistance, blood glucose levels increase. Late symptoms of fatty liver hepatosis occur:
- jaundice;
- pain under the ribs on the right;
- itching
- skin rashes in the form of spots;
- yellow color on the eyelids and sclera.
These symptoms are associated with the fact that in the blood increases the content of bile pigment - bilirubin. This substance causes yellow skin and itching. The appearance of rashes indicates a violation of the processing of toxins in the liver.
Yellow formations in the eyes are called xanthomas. They are deposits of cholesterol. This symptom indicates a serious violation of fat metabolism.
Consequences of the disease
What is the danger of fatty liver hepatosis? The consequence of this pathology is cirrhosis. In the advanced stages of the disease, healthy liver tissue undergoes fibrotic changes. Because of insulin resistance, diabetes can occur.
Hepatosis also leads to poor absorption of food. Because of this, the work of the gallbladder is disrupted, which often causes cholecystitis and the appearance of stones. The pancreas works with an increased load, this can trigger pancreatitis. Incomplete digestion of food causes intestinal dysbiosis.
Not only gastrointestinal tract organs suffer from hepatosis. The body produces a lack of vitamins and amino acids. Because of this, the vision and condition of the skin worsens. It also leads to hypertension and varicose veins. A person's immunity is reduced, frequent viral and fungal infections are observed.
Dystrophic changes in the liver violate the hormonal background of the body. Women with hepatosis are more at risk for tumors in the uterus and ovaries.
Diagnostics
In the diagnosis of fatty liver hepatosis, it is necessary to separate this disease from other pathologies. Signs of this ailment may resemble chronic hepatitis, as well as cirrhosis. The following examination methods are used:
- Examination of the patient. The doctor probes the patient’s stomach, examines his skin, measures the weight. With hepatosis, the liver is usually enlarged and slightly painful, the skin can have a yellowish color, and body weight is often overweight.
- General blood analysis. Patients show a decrease in hemoglobin, sometimes signs of inflammation (increased ESR and white blood cells);
- Blood chemistry. In patients, an elevated level of enzymes of the liver, cholesterol, sugar is determined, and the amount of albumin is reduced due to impaired protein metabolism.
- Ultrasound of the liver. This study is carried out if, upon examination, the patient has an enlarged and painful liver, and there are deviations from the norm in the biochemical analysis of blood. With ultrasound diagnostics, one can notice an increase in size and an increase in the density of the organ, as well as fat accumulations.
- MRI and CT of the liver. These diagnostic methods allow a more detailed study of the structure of the organ. They also help identify diffuse or focal fat changes.
- Liver biopsy. This method of research is invasive. A puncture is made on the patient’s skin and a small portion of liver tissue is taken for examination. Due to the invasiveness of this method, it is used only in special cases. A biopsy is done if there is a suspicion of cirrhosis, or MRI and CT are contraindicated in the patient.
- Elastosonography This is a safe and non-invasive method of research. It is carried out using a special apparatus and sensor. The elasticity of the liver is determined. The examination helps to determine the severity of the disease. The less tissue elasticity, the stronger the organ damage.
Based on a comprehensive study, the doctor makes a diagnosis of “fatty liver hepatosis”.
Treatment methods
To prevent further degenerative changes in the liver, drugs are needed that protect and strengthen its cells. Such drugs are called hepatoprotectors. The following medications are prescribed for fatty liver hepatosis:
- Heptral.
- Ursosan.
- Gepa-Merz.
- "Essential".
- "Phosphogliv".
- "Carsil."
- Gepabene.
The drug "Heptral" has a complex effect on the body. It not only protects hepatocytes, but also increases protein formation. Also, this medicine helps to remove toxins, so it is used for liver fatty liver disease of alcoholic origin. The medicine should not be taken by pregnant and lactating mothers.
Ursosan is also the first choice for this disease. It is recommended to prescribe for hepatosis complicated by stagnation of bile. The drug prevents the formation of stones and lowers cholesterol. However, it can not be used for liver failure and obstruction of the biliary tract. The medicine is not prescribed for very large stones.
Hepa-Merz normalizes protein metabolism and insulin production. However, this medicine can not always be used. It is contraindicated in alcoholic hepatosis, pregnancy and lactation, as well as in renal pathologies.
"Essential" for hepatic fatty liver helps to restore the membrane of damaged cells. This medication stops the growth of connective tissue, it belongs to the group of phospholipids. Such drugs have the ability to integrate into already affected cells and improve their function.
"Phosphogliv" in case of fatty liver hepatosis also restores hepatocytes and prevents fibrotic changes. This medicine is from the same group as Essential. This is an over-the-counter drug that has virtually no contraindications. However, it has side effects, in some patients there is an allergy or diarrhea.
Karsil and Hepabene are hepatoprotectors with a natural active ingredient. They include milk thistle plant extract. Such drugs restore liver cells, remove toxins, but are ineffective in hepatosis of alcoholic etiology.
Hepatoprotectors are the basis of therapy. In addition, they treat liver fatty hepatosis with drugs that reduce the formation of cholesterol in the liver. These include:
- The Crestor.
- Liprimar.
- Lipamide.
However, such drugs should be taken with caution, their dosage should be carefully selected by the doctor. Otherwise, they may aggravate hepatosis.
Prescribe antioxidants and antihypoxants. These drugs protect cells from damage during oxidation processes in the body and contribute to the saturation of tissues with oxygen. These drugs include the following medicines:
- Mexidol.
- Vitamins A, C, E.
- "Actovegin".
- Carnitine.
- Hypoxene.
- "Trimetazidine."
It is important to remember that treatment of liver fatty hepatosis with medications must be combined with diet. Without proper nutrition, drug therapy will not be effective.
Diet principles
In the initial stages of the disease, the appointment of a diet becomes the most important method of therapy. If changes in the liver have not yet gone far, then in some cases it is possible to do without even using medications. To restore the function of the organ, sometimes it is enough to revise your lifestyle and follow a diet.
Proper nutrition for fatty liver hepatosis should be to limit the intake of lipids with food. However, this does not mean that fats should be completely excluded from the diet. You just need to limit their number. With a severe deficiency of fats, the body begins to take lipids from carbohydrates, and this is bad for metabolism. In this case, the diet should have enough protein foods and vitamins.
Dietitians recommend the following types of food for hepatosis:
- low-fat varieties of meat and fish;
- dairy products with a low fat content;
- cereals (except rice and semolina);
- eggs (not more than 1 piece per day);
- vegetables (raw, boiled. baked);
- unsalted types of cheese;
- soy products;
- dried fruits;
- lightly brewed tea;
- compotes.
Patients are not recommended to take the following food:
- fat;
- fatty meat and fish;
- mayonnaise;
- smoked meats;
- canned food;
- sausages;
- fatty dairy products;
- rich broths;
- rice
- pickles;
- flour;
- pasta;
- any fried food;
- spicy seasonings;
- fruits and berries;
- semolina dishes;
- sweet carbonated drinks;
- alcohol;
- cocoa, coffee, green tea;
- waffles, cakes, chocolate, pastries;
- legumes;
- fruit juices.
The patient's daily diet should be consistent with these nutritional principles. You can offer the following sample menu for fatty liver hepatosis:
- First breakfast: oatmeal with dried fruits and black tea (weak).
- Second breakfast: low-fat cottage cheese.
- Lunch: vegetarian borsch with a small piece of lean meat, buckwheat, stewed fruit.
- Snack: broth from wild rose with unsweetened cookies.
- Dinner: boiled fish with mashed potatoes and beetroot salad.
- Before going to bed: fat-free kefir (1 cup).
These nutritional rules must be observed constantly, even after recovery. The diet should be supplemented with moderate physical activity. This is especially recommended for overweight. Patients benefit from swimming, yoga. a ride on the bicycle. However, excessive exercise is contraindicated.
It is also important to remember that it is impossible to lose weight dramatically with fatty hepatosis. Weight loss should be gradual. You can not arrange hungry days and take special drugs for weight loss.
Folk remedies
Herbal treatment for fatty liver hepatosis should complement drug therapy and diet. However, it should be remembered that the use of traditional medicine recipes must be agreed with the attending physician.
Milk thistle extract has hepatoprotective properties. It is part of the drugs "Karsil" and "Gepabene." At home, you can prepare a therapeutic infusion. One teaspoon of the seeds of this herb is poured with a glass of boiling water and insisted for 20 minutes. The drink is consumed in slow sips half an hour before a meal.
Milk thistle recipe can be supplemented with other useful ingredients. This will enhance the healing properties of this herb. Milk thistle seeds are mixed in equal proportions with Helichrysum, St. John's wort, chamomile and birch buds. One tablespoon of this mixture is boiled for 1 hour in 200 ml of boiling water. A tablespoon of the broth is taken 2 times a day with honey half an hour before meals.
You can prepare a decoction that will not only restore liver cells, but also cleanse the body of toxins. It is necessary to take in equal parts of grass: motherwort, St. John's wort, tricolor violet, field horsetail, as well as rose hips. Boil 1 tablespoon of the mixture in 200 ml of water, then strain and cool. This composition should be taken 1/4 cup 4 times a day.
Useful tea with mint and lemon balm. It is taken with severity in the right hypochondrium and nausea. This drink eliminates all unpleasant symptoms well. Instead of tea, you can drink an empty glass of carrot juice.
You can make a mixture of honey and chopped walnuts. These products are useful for hepatosis. A little honey is added to the nuts and ground until a homogeneous mixture is formed. This composition is taken 1 teaspoon before meals three times a day.
Pumpkin is known for its ability to protect liver cells. The extract of this vegetable is part of some hepatoprotectors ("Tykveola", "Peponen"). At home, you can make pumpkin honey. It is necessary to cut off the lid of the fetus and cut out the seeds. Then pour honey into the pumpkin cavity. Cover the fruit with a lid and insist for 14 days. Honey is poured into a jar and consumed 3 times a day for 1 tablespoon.
It is important to remember that folk remedies cannot completely replace drug treatment. Therefore, if the doctor prescribed drugs, then they must be taken and the course of treatment completed.
Forecast
Can liver fatty liver disease be completely cured? In the early stages of the pathology, all changes are reversible, and the affected areas can be restored. Improvement of the state of the body after treatment is noticeable after 2-4 weeks. And in a few months you can restore the liver completely.
If fibrotic patches have already appeared in the liver, then the prognosis is complicated. This requires serious and lengthy treatment. But even at this stage it is still possible to restore the normal function of the organ.
If the disease is started, then the liver overgrows with connective tissue and cirrhosis occurs. Such changes are irreversible. In this case, the life expectancy of a person depends on the degree of liver damage.
Preventive measures
To prevent fatty liver hepatosis, you must first adhere to the rules of a healthy diet. In this case, you need to control your weight and prevent weight gain. Excessive intake of fatty and carbohydrate foods, as well as alcoholic beverages, should be avoided.
Other factors harmful to the liver should be ruled out. When taking any medication, it is necessary to adhere to the recommended dosage and not to allow uncontrolled use of drugs. You should protect the liver area from any injuries. You also need to treat endocrine diseases on time and monitor the hormonal background of the body.