According to the average data, liver diseases associated with impaired fat metabolism are becoming more common. This is especially true for residents of America and Europe, who more often than others receive an ominous diagnosis of "steatohepatitis". What is it and how to prevent this pathology? This is what we are going to talk about.
Fatty disease and steatohepatitis
Due to a violation of the metabolism of acylglycerols (fats) and under-oxidized products in the gastrointestinal tract, the structure of the liver itself changes. But the most dangerous thing is that such changes are absolutely invisible, that is, it will not affect the well-being of a sick person in any way. At least until the patient undergoes a medical examination. It is important here to make a diagnosis in time and conduct competent therapy, since dying liver cells are replaced by connective tissue. Such processes invariably threaten with complications, such as cirrhosis of the liver. It is important for a person with a similar ailment to stick to a diet.
Steatohepatitis - what is it? Diseaseoccurs against the background of ZhZD (fatty liver disease), which provokes a number of ailments: hypertension, obesity, chronic hyperglycemia syndrome, atherosclerosis, etc. As a result, liver cells are oversaturated with triglycerides (neutral fats), due to which its structure changes and develops fatty hepatosis. Over time, oxidative processes begin in hepatocytes that destroy liver cells. As a result, inflammation develops, which provokes the manifestation of statohepatitis. There are three forms of the disease: alcoholic, non-alcoholic and medicinal.
Alcohol form
Most often, alcoholic stetohepatitis occurs in people who suffer from a chronic form of alcoholism, and this is about 35%. Because 95% of alcoholic beverages are destroyed only in the liver cells, which invariably affects its functioning. The toxic effect of ethyl alcohol on the liver invariably causes inflammatory lesions of the organ.
This is manifested by painful sensations in the ribs (on the right side), psychopathological disorders, dyspepsia and icteric symptoms. The liver enlarges and becomes more firm, which is clearly palpable, which causes dull pain. In addition, the veins in the esophagus expand, which threatens with internal bleeding.
As a result of inflammatory processes, the activity of transaminases increases, the level of triglycerides in the blood increases. The indicators of bilirubin, lipophilic alcohol, alkaline phosphatase, etc. are changing upwards. The most obvious symptom is a decrease in the activity of aminotransferases (liver enzymes) against the background of withdrawal symptoms.syndrome.
Chronic steatohepatitis can be diagnosed only after a complete examination: laboratory data, ultrasound, biopsy, palpation and communication with your doctor.
It is important to protect liver cells from destruction and eliminate or at least minimize inflammation. Stop the growth of connective tissue in the organ and prevent the development of cirrhosis.
Alcohol consumption is strictly prohibited! Otherwise, the treatment will be useless.
Non-alcoholic form
Metabolic steatohepatitis occurs due to oversaturation of liver cells with neutral fats - triglycerides. And as a result - oxidative and inflammatory processes, destruction of organ cells, proliferation of connective tissue and the development of cirrhosis. Recently, cases of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease have become more frequent.
The disease occurs against the background of overweight, diseases of the pancreas, disorders of fat metabolism, sudden weight loss. Also, the cause may be malnutrition, namely protein deficiency, low levels of antitrypsin, etc.
Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis can occur on its own or be a consequence of other diseases. Without a laboratory examination, a person may not notice its signs. Transaminases are activated, the size of the liver increases. Many people are diagnosed with NASH when they go to the doctor with other complaints.
In order to cure or stop the development of the disease, it is necessary to normalize oxidative processes, acceleratetransport of neutral fats from the liver, reduce the accumulation of fats in the cells of the body and oxidative degradation of lipids. Oxidants damage the composition of membranes, nerve endings and break the structural link of nucleic acids.
An obligatory component of treatment is a diet. It is necessary to select a diet individually for each case, since the course of the disease in all patients is different. And thanks to a well-chosen diet therapy, you can stop oxidative and inflammatory processes and stop the development of the disease.
It is strongly recommended to undergo a mandatory medical examination every six months so that the disease does not become severe.
Dose form
Another form is drug-induced steatohepatitis. What is it and why does it occur? One thing is for sure: the reason lies not in the use of alcoholic beverages. As the name implies, this form of the disease occurs due to the use of drugs that are dangerous for the liver. These include tetracycline antibiotics, synthetic estrogens, Chloroquine, Delagil, drugs for the treatment of viral immunodeficiency, antifungal agents and others.
If you take drugs from the risk group for a long time, the functionality of the liver may be impaired. This refers to a violation of the oxidative processes of triglycerides, which most often forms LSH (drug steatohepatitis), the symptoms of which are rather unpleasant and palpable. Therefore, it is necessary to strictly adhere to the course of treatment, sohow complications can arise. The most dangerous pathology is the necrosis of liver cells of varying degrees of severity.
At risk are people who have already experienced a violation of the functionality of the liver. You can take such medications only on the recommendation of the attending physician and under his strict control. It is strongly recommended to take hepatoprotectors along with dangerous drugs.
Degree of injury
The histological picture and the percentage of cellular damage to the liver shows at what stage of development the disease is.
Minimal activity steatohepatitis occurs against the background of metabolic disorders and is characterized by mild inflammatory processes. About 35% of cells are susceptible to damage. Detecting the disease at an early stage guarantees more effective treatment.
What can not be said about the severe form of the disease: fatty vesicles were determined in 70% of the cells, and all this occurs against the backdrop of a general severe inflammatory process.
Moderate steatohepatitis is triggered by other diseases and is characterized by damage to approximately 68% of the cells, the inflammatory reaction is not too intense, but already more noticeable than in the first stage.
Reasons
The root cause of this disease is a metabolic disorder, which may result in the appearance of excess weight or, conversely, a sharp weight loss. A strict diet or overeating can also trigger liver steatohepatitis.
Main causes of the development of the disease:
Metabolic disorders
This includes overweight or rapid weight loss as a result of malnutrition. Endocrine diseases, disorders of carbohydrate metabolism, as a result of which blood sugar rises sharply. Changes in the ratio of lipids (fat-like substances) in the blood. The introduction of glucose into the blood by intravenous method. Switching to a fully prenatal diet.
Drug intoxication
Some medications can cause fatty liver, which results in a supersaturation of liver cells with fats. Such a reaction can be caused by steroid hormones, drugs that inhibit or completely suppress cell division. As well as antibiotics, intended for the treatment of infectious diseases, and some anti-inflammatory drugs that reduce fever and pain relief.
- Surgery in the gastrointestinal tract.
- Intestinal diverticulosis (saccular protrusion of the intestinal wall).
- Hepatocerebral dystrophy. This is a hereditary disease that is characterized by impaired copper metabolism in the body.
Symptomatics
As already noted, depending on the causes that cause inflammation in the liver cells, there are three types of disease: alcoholic, drug-induced and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. Symptoms, causes of the disease and methods of treatment in each case are different.
The alcoholic form of the disease has the following symptoms:
- The size of the liver increases, it becomes more dense, which is noticeableduring palpation.
- Pain in the ribs (on the right side).
- Digestive disorders, meaning diarrhea or constipation.
- The patient sweats profusely and is constantly thirsty.
- Feeling exhausted and weak.
- Appetite disappears, a person loses weight dramatically.
- The patient is constantly sick, often vomiting.
- The skin and sclera of the eyes turn yellow.
Signs of the dosage form of the disease:
- Systematic pain (acute pain) of the liver.
- Violation of bile secretion.
- Skin turns a characteristic yellow tint.
- Irritation appears on the skin.
Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis symptoms are as follows:
- Frequent liver pain.
- The patient feels constant heaviness in the abdomen.
- Exhaustion and weakness.
- Thirst and excessive sweating.
Diagnosis
The danger is that most often the disease is slow and has no obvious symptoms. The main danger signal is pain in the liver area, its enlargement and thickening.
Modern medicine has many ways to diagnose different forms of this disease. Recently, alcoholic steatohepatitis has been most often recorded, the treatment of which is a very complex and difficult process. That is why the alcohol history is collected in the first place.
Examination steps:
- Ultrasound of the liver for itsincrease and external change.
- Laboratory tests to detect the level of cholesterol, hydrolysis enzyme, globular protein, bile pigment, neutral fats, etc. These data will help to identify at what stage of development the disease is.
If moderate steatohepatitis is diagnosed in time, the chance for a speedy recovery increases.
If, according to the results of the examination, signs of alcoholic hepatosis are not detected, then a study is carried out for a non-alcoholic form of the disease:
- A biopsy, which involves taking liver cells from the patient's body in vivo.
- Ultrasound to detect overweight or endocrine diseases. This test is done when a biopsy is not possible.
The dosage form of the disease can be identified by the attending physician, who prescribed drugs from the risk group to the patient. Detection methods: ultrasound, CT scan, laboratory tests or biopsy diagnosis.
The ideal option is a method of complex functional diagnostics.
Treatment and complications
It is important to eliminate the toxic effect on the liver, increase the body's sensitivity to the action of insulin. As well as normalize the metabolism of fats in cells and restore immunity. This is the main task for the attending physician and his patient. Minimal-grade steatohepatitis is best treated.
At the same time, the patient must followspecialist recommendations. It is important to avoid excessive physical activity. Sports should be done, but in moderation: swimming, Pilates and walking are acceptable. This is especially true for overweight people.
Diet therapy is prescribed for each patient individually. It is strongly recommended to give up spicy and fatty foods, smoked products, various marinades and caffeine. Regardless of the results of treatment, the diet will have to be kept constantly. It is strictly forbidden to drink (even in small quantities) alcoholic beverages, as the disease will begin to develop even more actively.
Depending on the type of disease (alcoholic drug and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis), treatment is carried out by different methods, different medications are prescribed.
But you can select drugs that fight the main symptoms of this disease:
- Hypoglycemic agents to improve insulin sensitivity.
- Bile acid preparations that reduce transaminase activity and protect liver cells.
- Hepatoprotectors ("Essentiale forte") in the form of capsules or ampoules. Their action is to eliminate the insufficient amount of phospholipids in the patient's body.
- Hypolydymic drugs (statins) that lower blood cholesterol levels.
- Any form of the disease, even minimally active steatohepatitis, requires inpatient treatment under the constant supervision of specialists. Since illiterate therapy provokes the risk of developingcirrhosis, liver fibrosis and even liver failure.
Diet
Most of the people suffering from fatty hepatosis have problems with being overweight, and therefore sports and a low-calorie diet are a chance for recovery. After all, in order to minimize inflammation in the liver, you need to lose weight. A serious disease that disciplines you is all steatohepatitis. Diet is a very important factor in the recovery process. The list of products that can and even should be consumed: chicken (you can’t eat the skin), calf, rabbit meat, boiled fish (river), protein, fermented milk products with minimal fat content. The animal proteins contained in these products stop the fatty degeneration of liver cells. The same cannot be said about animal fats: lamb, pork, beef, heavy cream, etc. Instead of these products, it is better to use vegetable or olive oil.
Complex carbohydrates such as white cereals, starchy foods and sweets should be eliminated from the diet. Eating vegetables, berries, herbs, fruits, cereals and bran helps to lower blood cholesterol levels.
No matter what form of disease a person has: alcoholic, drug-induced or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, diet is a must!
Prevention
To prevent the disease, it is extremely important to focus on the treatment of the main pathologies that can provoke it: overweight, endocrine diseases, etc. Preventive measures are aimed at eliminating the causes that provoke it:
- Alcoholic drinks should be consumed in moderation.
- Balanced diet.
- It is necessary to cure diseases that contribute to the development of fatty hepatosis as soon as possible.
- Careful use of drugs that pose a danger to the liver. Along with them, you need to take hepatoprotectors.
No matter what form of disease the patient has, diet is a must. And this means a ban on fried, fatty, spicy, smoked and various pickles. Only protein products, vegetable fats, vegetables and fruits.
It is also important to lead an active lifestyle: the correct schedule of the day, normal sleep (at least 7 hours), personal hygiene and, of course, exercise. If you follow these rules, obesity definitely does not threaten you. In addition, immunity increases, metabolism normalizes, and in general the body functions normally.
People with chronic fatty liver should be treated annually. In this way, they will be able to avoid possible complications.
Treatment with folk remedies
A serious disease that threatens with dangerous complications is steatohepatitis. Treatment of this disease can be supported by non-traditional medicines. In addition, complex therapy is approved by modern doctors.
One of the traditional medicines is milk thistle herb, which restores liver cells and thereby stabilizes its functionality. Many effective natural preparations,aimed at the treatment of fatty hepatosis, contain milk thistle seed extract.
How to make milk thistle powder for steatohepatitis
To prepare the potion you will need fruits (35 g). Grind the seeds in a blender to form a powder and consume 1 teaspoon 6 times a day with a glass of warm boiled water.
35 grams of milk thistle powder is the daily value for liver recovery. The course of treatment should last at least 40 days, after which you will notice how your he alth has improved. The liver shrinks to normal size, the unnatural thickening disappears, fat metabolism improves, etc.
Medics themselves prescribe such drugs, as they are more natural and do not contain dangerous toxic components. Maybe they show not such a fast result, but they are absolutely safe for the body.
Of course, taking the initiative without your doctor's approval is strictly prohibited! Since complex treatment can only be prescribed by a qualified specialist after a full examination and monitoring of the course of the disease.
To reduce inflammation in the liver, you can try the following remedies:
- Almond or apricot oil.
- Herbal tea from St. John's wort, calendula, chicory and immortelle.
- Infusion of sage, knotweed, agrimony and horsetail.
- Fruits of viburnum and cranberries.
All these remedies have a positive effect on the functioning of the liver, especially in the initial stagesdiseases. But for the treatment of more advanced forms, they are used only in combination with traditional medicines. And then only after the approval of the attending physician.
Steatohepatitis - what is it? This disease has many names: "pathology of civilized society", "silent killer", fatty liver, etc. But whatever you call it, it is a serious disease that needs to be fought systematically, constantly and diligently. You can not do without patience, willpower and discipline. Yes, it may be hard, but life is more expensive, and it's worth it. The main thing is to follow the recommendations of the doctor and constantly follow his instructions. Only in this case can this terrible disease be overcome!
