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. It's all about poor nutrition and an 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 liver?
The concept of "hepatosis" combines conditions associated with impaired metabolic processes in liver cells. As a result, their dystrophy is observed, various substances are deposited (fats, connective tissue elements, porphyrins). In this case, inflammatory changes are not fixed.
Fatty liver disease is a degenerative disease. It is characterized by a violation of the metabolism of fats in hepatocytes with their gradual accumulation in the organ. Hepatosis can rightfully be called the pathology of the modern world. A large amount of high-calorie foods and refined carbohydrates does notfound 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 over 45 years of age. Men suffer from its manifestations much less frequently. This is due to the changes that occur in the body of a postmenopausal woman. At this time, there is a change in metabolism with an increase in the content of fats in the blood. In every fourth patient, hepatosis turns into an inflammatory-necrotic process - steatohepatitis, accompanied by the death of liver cells. Over time, they are replaced by connective tissue, which leads to the formation of cirrhosis.
Mechanism of disease progression
What is fatty liver 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 disposal of incoming substances. Once in the body, any product undergoes strict control by the liver, which, by splitting, converts 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 dystrophic degeneration of he althy 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 replacementdense adipose tissue of the liver scar. First, fibrosis develops, and then cirrhosis. The latter is quite difficult to treat, and in advanced cases leads to death. The proliferation of connective tissue gradually captures all he althy cells and completely replaces them. That is why it is so important to know what fatty liver is, what are its causes and initial symptoms.
Main reasons
The liver is an organ with amazing regenerative capacity and huge internal reserves. To maintain its work, only 1/7 of the total mass is enough. The liver can work under increased loads for a long time, as hepatocytes are restored. However, everything has a limit.
When a person's diet contains a large amount of fats and carbohydrates, flavor enhancers, preservatives and food additives from early childhood, the liver loses its ability to withstand toxic load early. As a result, her illnesses develop.
The main cause of fatty hepatosis in men is alcohol, in adolescents - the abuse of energy drinks, narcotic substances. In addition, 65% of overweight patients are prone to this disease. However, it also occurs in thin people. Other causes of fatty liver are the following:
- lack of protein food in the diet;
- passion for diets;
- weight "swing" (dramatic weight loss and weight gain);
- diabetes mellitus;
- chronic pancreatitis;
- hypoxia on the background of cardiac andbronchopulmonary insufficiency;
- food poisoning;
- uncontrolled drug use;
- hormonal disorders;
- exposure to environmental toxins (industrial emissions, polluted water, pesticides, etc.).
Usually, the pathological process develops against the background of excessive intake of lipids into the blood. Sometimes this occurs 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 2-3 stages of the disease. Patients typically complain about:
- pain in the right side of the aching character;
- heaviness in the right hypochondrium;
- fatigue;
- disgust for food;
- excessive salivation;
- wen on the eyelids;
- bloody rash;
- body aches;
- frequent colds;
- skin itching.
As the disease progresses, there is an increase in the size of the hepatic lobes. Against the background of an increase in the level of bilirubin in the blood, the skin acquires a yellowish tint. Due to irritation of the nerve endings, itching occurs, which intensifies at night.
Disruption of the liver affects the immune system. Due to the weakening of the body's defenses, frequent colds appear,chronic infections worsen.
Degrees of 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 lipid deposits 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 manifests itself exclusively as discomfort from the digestive organs, the appearance of fatty deposits mainly on the side of the thighs.
Its progression is characterized by an increase in extracellular obesity, lipid concentrations inside 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, abdomen, arms, face). Nausea and feelings of bitterness in the mouth haunt patients constantly. Also, the disease is accompanied by problems with stool.
At the third degree, pronounced intracellular steatosis, fatty cysts and cords from the connective tissue are revealed. 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 a total tissue degeneration occurs, covering the entire area of the organ.
Pregnancy and hepatosis of the liver
Many pregnant women know what fatty liver is. This disease does not bypass the fair sex, who are in an interestingposition. Its appearance may be due to changes in the hormonal background or excessive consumption of high-calorie foods.
Hepatosis during pregnancy is dangerous for its complications. They can occur both in the process of bearing a baby, and during delivery. In especially serious cases, pathology leads to death in the mother. The most dangerous is the period 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 whites of the eyes;
- general weakness and malaise;
- changing the shade of stool to lighter;
- darkening urine;
- bitterness in the mouth;
- constant bouts of heartburn;
- vomiting bile;
- pain and discomfort in the right hypochondrium;
- loss of appetite.
If symptoms of fatty liver occur, treatment should be started immediately and only under medical supervision.
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 disorders. Usually, hepatosis transforms into cirrhosis, and this disease is not subject to therapy.
Among the most common consequences of dystrophic liver pathology, doctors distinguish the following:
- Stagnation forms in the gallbladder, whichleads to cholecystitis, pancreatitis and stone formation. As a result, food ceases to be completely digested, it overloads the intestines, and dysbacteriosis develops.
- Inadequate liver function gradually leads to a deficiency in the body of vital trace elements. As a result, the functioning of the cardiac system and the condition of the blood arteries worsen. There is hypertension, varicose veins.
- Against the background of hepatosis, a decrease in immunity almost always occurs. This leads to frequent colds, infectious and fungal pathologies.
To prevent these he alth problems, when the initial symptoms of fatty liver appear, treatment should be started immediately.
Diagnostic Methods
Diagnosing a disease always starts with a physical examination of the patient. The doctor also studies his anamnesis, complaints and possible clinical manifestations. Palpation of the right hypochondrium usually reveals an enlarged liver. The procedure itself is accompanied by pain and discomfort.
Then they move on to instrumental diagnostic methods. They involve the following activities:
- Ultrasound of the abdominal organs;
- 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 information content of the biopsy, it is not indicated for all patients. In the presence of poor blood clotting procedurecontraindicated.
After examining the patient, the doctor offers several options on how to treat fatty liver. The basis of therapy is the use of drugs and diet. In addition, patients should change their lifestyle and exclude provocative factors (alcohol, smoking). In case of urgent need, you will need to stop taking certain medications in consultation with your doctor.
Drug therapy
The treatment of fatty liver 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 for the regulation of carbohydrate-lipid metabolism, as well as restorative agents. Any medications imply an additional burden on the digestive tract, so the doctor should select 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 cannot cope with metabolic processes on its own, drug support is recommended. Usually prescribed drugs from the following groups:
- Insulin-sensitizing drugs ("Metformin", "Troglizaton"). They increase the sensitivity of tissues to insulin. Thanks to this, glucose in the blood is converted into energy, and not stored as body fat. In addition, such drugs stop inflammatory and fibrotic processes in the liver.
- Drugs that reduce blood lipids (Lopid, Gemfibrozil).
- Means that neutralize the effects of alcoholic hepatosis ("Actigall").
- Vitamins B, C, folic acid.
- Anspasmodics ("No-shpa", "Papaverine"). Shown for severe pain in the right hypochondrium.
The second group of drugs are 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 action. Most often, "Essentiale", "Gepabene", "Ursofalk" are prescribed. Due to the action of hepatoprotectors, liver cells do not regenerate completely, but strengthen and restore their functions. With a he althy lifestyle and proper nutrition, drug therapy can prevent further progression of hepatosis, the development of complications.
Menu for fatty hepatosis
All patients, without exception, after confirming the diagnosis of "hepatosis" are recommended to follow a diet. It has several goals: normalization of blood parameters, weight loss, elimination of excess load from the digestive tract. Hunger strikes, 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 with fatty hepatosis s alty and spicy foods? They categoricallyprohibited. You will also have to give up fried foods, preservatives, various chemical additives and alcohol. You will have to limit legumes, mushrooms, fatty dairy products, spices. Food should be as natural as possible. It is better to cook it in a double boiler or oven, and serve it warm and crushed.
The diet should mainly consist of fresh vegetables, vegetarian soups, a variety of cereals, dairy products. As for protein foods, it is better to choose lean meats (colic, turkey, veal) and fish. A sample menu for fatty liver is as follows:
- First breakfast. Porridge with water or fat-free cottage cheese, black tea.
- Second breakfast. Fruits or dried fruits.
- Lunch. Vegetable soup, buckwheat porridge, compote.
- Snack. Rosehip broth, unsweetened cookies or bread.
- Dinner. Mashed potatoes with fish, green salad.
Following the above principles and examples, you can easily create a menu for a week with fatty hepatosis. If necessary, consult your doctor.
Help of traditional medicine
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 relieve the symptoms of the disease:
- Melissa and mint tea helps relieve nausea and heaviness in the right hypochondrium. It should be drunk directly during the period of exacerbationdiseases.
- To remove toxins from the body, enrich it with microelements and vitamins, rosehip broth helps. To prepare it, you need 50 g of fruits, pour 0.5 liters of boiling water, insist for 12 hours. Take a decoction three times a day, 150 ml each.
- Lemon infusion promotes the breakdown of fats and a decrease in the size of the liver. You will need to grind 3 lemons along with the zest, pour 0.5 liters of boiling water and leave overnight. In the morning, drink a third of the liquid, and the rest in equal proportions twice a day. The treatment is repeated for three days in a row, after which it is necessary to take a break for 4 days.
- To stimulate the outflow of bile and normalize the functioning of the liver, a decoction of milk thistle is used. This tool also helps to restore hepatocytes, speed up the process of protein synthesis.
- At home, you can prepare a special liver collection. You will need to take 3 parts of St. John's wort, plantain, clover and burdock. Mix with two parts of immortelle leaves, eleutherococcus, add one part of chamomile. All components should be mixed. One tablespoon pour 200 ml of boiling water, leave for half an hour, strain. It is necessary to take the medicine three times a day before meals. The duration of such therapy is 2 months.
National treatment of fatty liver hepatosis cannot be used as the only option to combat the disease. In addition, before starting therapy, you should consult your doctor.
Prevention Methods
Howtreat fatty hepatosis, described a little higher in the article. Can this disease be prevented? Prevention is not difficult, it is enough to follow the following recommendations:
- Reduce to a minimum the amount of animal fat consumed. However, you should not completely abandon such products.
- Maintain a minimum level of physical activity daily. Hypodynamia extremely negatively affects the work of the liver. It is not necessary to go to the gym and exhaust the body with heavy loads. Enough to swim in the pool, walk more often or do yoga / Pilates.
- Eat often, but in small portions. In this case, the liver will not experience stress and work at an increased pace.
- Better to give up alcohol, energy drinks.
- It is important to monitor your blood sugar levels.
- We should not forget about the drinking regime. Up to two liters of clean liquid are recommended per day.
According to patients and their feedback, fatty liver disease is a serious but reversible disease. When the initial symptoms appear, you should immediately seek help from a doctor. In the early stages, to eliminate the disease, it is enough to follow a simple diet. In advanced cases, it will be necessary not only to adjust the diet and lifestyle, but also to take medications. However, if you strictly follow the doctor's recommendations, the prognosis is favorable.
