Fatty infiltration of the liver parenchyma. Diffuse changes in the liver according to the type of fatty infiltration. Treatment of hepatosis with medicines

Fatty infiltration of the liver - the accumulation of fat in the cells of the liver in large quantities. This ailment occurs in pregnant women, persons suffering from alcohol addiction and in other pathologies. In children, this disease occurs to a lesser extent. Treatment is carried out by a gastroenterologist in a hospital and outpatient setting, depending on the severity of the disease. Medications and strict adherence to the diet are prescribed. The prognosis of the disease is favorable.

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    What is fatty liver?

    Fatty infiltration of the liver(steatosis, fatty hepatosis) - accumulation of fats in hepatocytes (liver cells) up to 40% (at a rate of 5%).

    The disease occurs in individuals who have a history of steatosis, diabetes, and obesity. Steatosis develops due to medication (antibiotics or corticosteroid medications). In addition, risk factors for the appearance of fatty infiltration of the liver include:

    • starvation;
    • viral hepatitis;
    • HIV infection;
    • formation of cysts on the ovaries;
    • metabolic diseases;
    • pregnancy;
    • discrepancy between the total calorie content of food and protein content;
    • vitamin deficiency;
    • hypoxia (lack of oxygen) in diseases of the pulmonary and cardiovascular systems.

    Fatty liver disease - causes, symptoms and treatments

    Main symptoms

    Steatosis due to alcohol abuse occurs without symptoms. In some cases, there are complaints of malaise, weakness, nausea and discomfort in the abdomen. There is weight loss and jaundice (in 15% of patients).

    With a non-alcoholic form of pathology, the patient complains of swelling throughout the body. The arms and legs are "soft", and the abdomen becomes too round. On palpation (palpation), changes in the organ can be noted - an increase in size.

    The signs of steatosis include the acquisition by the liver of a smooth surface, dense consistency and rounded edges. Patient loses appetite due to nausea and vomiting. There is an increase in body temperature and pain in the right hypochondrium.

    The mechanism of development of pathology goes through three stages:

    On the late stages development of the disease are noted frequent pain dullness, nausea, weakness and fatigue. Patients are often in a depressed, depressive mood.

    Fatty infiltration of the liver may be accompanied by the development of chronic pancreatitis. The course of this disease is long, develops over several years. Periods of exacerbation can be replaced by states of remission. Deterioration of well-being is associated with mental and physical overstrain, alcohol intake or infection.

    This disease is often found in pregnant women. It can be accompanied by the development of acute liver failure, which is often fatal. The following pathologies can be attributed to the complications of the disease:

    • pneumonia;
    • pulmonary tuberculosis;
    • cirrhosis of the liver;
    • portal hypertension (increased pressure in the portal vein).

    Treatment

    Therapy of the disease is complex and is carried out in two stages:

    1. 1. The doctor must eliminate the cause of the development of the disease. To do this, it is necessary to cure alcoholism or completely eliminate the consumption of alcohol.
    2. 2. Then they begin the main therapy for fatty infiltration of the liver: doctors prescribe medication (Gepabene). Sometimes injections are prescribed for 10-12 months in the form of vitamins and lipotropics.

    Detoxification therapy is carried out upon detection alcoholic form steatosis with Essentiale (by mouth or intravenously). Can be used folic acid. In a situation of exacerbation, the patient should be treated in a hospital, and maintenance therapy is allowed to be carried out on an outpatient basis, i.e. at home.

    Diet and lifestyle

    Except drug therapy doctors prescribe a special diet. It is recommended to reduce the total calorie content of food, limit the consumption of foods that are saturated with fatty acids.

    Prohibited products include:

    • fatty meats and fish;
    • canned food;
    • vegetables such as radishes, beans, onions, garlic, tomatoes;
    • smoked products;
    • spicy and spicy food;
    • muffin.
    • chocolate and any sweets.
    • fast food;
    • sausages.
    • margarine;
    • mayonnaise;
    • butter.

    Every day you should eat boiled vegetables and eggs, low-fat cheese, cereals, skim cheese and unsweetened tea. It is necessary to drink about 2 liters of fluid per day. Food should be taken 5-6 times a day.

    Cold drinks should also not be consumed, because low temperature causes narrowing of blood vessels in the intestine, which leads to a decrease in bile secretion. Instead of salt, you can add herbs as a seasoning: thyme, marjoram, saffron, rosemary and cumin. They improve the functioning of the liver.

    It is recommended to consume sunflower, soy, peanut and olive oil. You can eat boiled chicken and skinless turkey meat. Potatoes are allowed to be consumed only in boiled form. Doctors advise to include more nuts in the diet, such as hazelnuts or almonds.

    Folk recipes

    In the treatment of fatty infiltration of the liver, you can additionally use folk remedies:

    Means Method of preparation and use
    Steamed bran
    1. 1. Pour bran with boiled water.
    2. 2. Let the liquid cool down.
    3. 3. Drain the water.
    4. 4. Eat two tablespoons three times a day
    Rosehip infusion
    1. 1. Take 1 teaspoon of dried rose hips.
    2. 2. Grind.
    3. 3. Add boiling water.
    4. 4. Infuse for three hours.
    5. 5. Filter and let cool.
    6. 6. Drink twice a day 1/2 cup 15 minutes before meals
    A decoction of immortelle
    1. 1. Mix 2 tablespoons of raw materials with 1 cup of boiling water.
    2. 2. Simmer in a water bath for 10 minutes.
    3. 3. Strain and cool, you can add boiled water to the original volume.
    4. 4. Take 3 tablespoons three times a day in a warm form 20 minutes before meals
    dandelion tea
    1. 1. Grind the root of the plant.
    2. 2. Pour two tablespoons of the ingredient with hot water.
    3. 3. Boil for a few minutes.
    4. 4. Drink 2-3 times a day
    A decoction of turmeric
    1. 1. 0.25 teaspoon of raw materials add to a glass of water.
    2. 2. Put a tablespoon of honey.
    3. 3. Leave for 5 minutes until honey dissolves.
    4. 4. Stir.
    5. 5. Drink three times a day

Such a diagnosis can be made not only to overweight people or alcoholics, but also to those who suffer from disorders in the gastrointestinal tract and endocrine system.

How to recognize the disease in time and how to treat

How to identify the symptoms of the disease

With fatty infiltration (steatosis), the functional cells of the liver are replaced by cells of simple fats. The body increases in size and ceases to function normally. In this case, the whole body suffers.

Fatty infiltration of the liver can be focal or diffuse. With focal infiltration, an isolated area is formed increased echogenicity. Diffuse infiltration is more common. It can be mild, moderate, or severe, depending on the degree of liver cell damage.

In the early stages of the disease severe symptoms not yet. But when the slightest signs appear, it is better to immediately contact a specialist.

Symptoms such as swelling of the body, an unnaturally round stomach, an increase in the liver itself should alert. In addition, the person loses his appetite. Eating is accompanied by nausea and vomiting, and the temperature may rise. Pain is felt on palpation of the right lower hypochondrium.

The pancreas can also be affected by fatty infiltration.

To make a diagnosis, the doctor first of all conducts an external examination of the patient, listens to his complaints. If there is
puffiness and swelling, then this is already Great chance that the patient has liver problems. Such an examination will be supplemented by palpation of the lower hypochondrium. The doctor can determine the increase in the organ, and the patient will experience pain when pressing on the liver. But it is impossible to make a correct diagnosis only on the basis of external signs; additional examinations are necessary.

The specialist appoints the patient for laboratory tests. This is blood biochemistry, analysis for markers of viral liver diseases, general analysis urine and feces.

With the help of ultrasound or computed tomography, diffuse changes in the liver are detected. The most accurate diagnosis disease is a biopsy. Liver tissues are taken from the patient with a needle, the material is examined. Thus, it is possible to determine whether there is in the liver fat cells and deposits.

Examination of the liver with focal or diffuse accumulation of fat reveals increased echogenicity of the hepatic parenchyma.

Causes of the disease

Most often, alcohol abuse contributes to the disease. Liver cells begin to break down, and the constant intake of alcohol does not allow them to recover. This is how they are replaced by adipose tissue.

Another reason is diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Especially intestinal diseases associated with impaired absorption of vitamins and permeability of the walls, diabetes and other chronic diseases.

Fatty infiltration of the liver can occur after various kinds of poisoning.

The disease is often detected in women during pregnancy, with malnutrition and in overweight people.

Treatment of steatosis

If the disease is detected in the initial stages, then it can be treated without serious consequences. In about a month, the liver restores its functions.

Treatment is usually carried out in two stages:

  1. Eliminate the cause of the disease.
  2. Liver recovery.

For example, if the cause of steatosis is alcohol abuse, then first there is a complete rejection of it. If the cause of the disease is chronic ailments– should be treated at the first stage.

Followed by recovery period. First of all, a diet is prescribed. It is very important in this disease. Substances that prevent the accumulation of fat in the liver are found in cottage cheese, beets, cabbage juice. Food should be free of allergens. It is also undesirable to drink coffee.

With such support, the body will begin to repair damaged cells on its own. Medicines and vitamins are used.

Steatosis is at risk cholelithiasis. Therefore, bile acid preparations are prescribed. For digestive disorders, enzymes are prescribed. Antibiotics are used if necessary.

Probiotics and prebiotics are used to normalize liver function.

AT advanced cases medication injections are required.

If the diseased organ is not treated, then the consequences can be not only the deterioration of the patient's condition, but also the spread of inflammation to neighboring tissues, and the complete failure of the liver. The disease can turn into cirrhosis and lead to death.

Disease prevention is primarily healthy lifestyle life.

Fatty hepatosis can be attributed to the disease of civilizations, the development of which is associated with a change in the type of human nutrition (fats and simple carbohydrates predominate), restriction physical activity, urbanization and other factors.

The danger of this disease is that it does not manifest itself in the initial stages. The patient begins to worry about the symptoms of steatosis when the disease reaches its climax.

One of the complications - a cyst - is not malignancy surrounded by scar tissue. In running forms fatty degeneration liver leads to liver failure and even death. It is important to notice the first manifestations of fatty liver in time in order to avoid serious consequences for the body.

The reasons

Any liver disease is most often found in people who abuse alcohol or narcotic (toxic) substances. The severity of diffuse changes in the liver according to the type of fatty hepatosis is directly proportional to the duration of the use of substances and their quantity.

But contrary to general stereotypes, fatty liver can be caused by other factors:

  • diseases with metabolic disorders (diabetes mellitus, steroid diabetes, hereditary pathologies of enzyme systems);
  • pathology of the digestive system;
  • poisoning with toxic substances or medicines;
  • food enriched with fats and simple carbohydrates;
  • hypokinesia (decreased physical activity);
  • prolonged malnutrition, hunger (protein alimentary insufficiency, Kwashiorkor);
  • obesity;
  • systemic lupus erythematosus.

All these reasons trigger one mechanism of lipid accumulation and cause diffuse changes in the liver in the form of fatty hepatosis. During the development of the disease, the functions of the gland are disturbed, its biochemistry and physiology change.

In the early stages, there is an increase in the level of lipids, cholesterol and fatty acids in the blood (due to excess intake or decay of their own). Normally, they should be used to generate energy or synthesize substances (sex hormones, vitamin D, components cell membranes and adipose tissue triglycerides). If the body does not have time to utilize these fats, then they accumulate in the parenchyma of the organ: at the initial stages in the hepatocytes themselves, and then outside of them.

There is an idiopathic form in which fatty hepatosis can occur. It is characterized by the absence apparent reason. The patient does not have factors in life that provoke the development of a fatty liver, but the disease, nevertheless, progresses and requires immediate treatment.

Symptoms

Severity clinical manifestations steatosis depends on how severely the organ is affected. At the first stages of the development of the disease, an asymptomatic course is noted. These patients may have mild symptoms common signs fatty infiltration, but most often they are ignored - people attribute them to fatigue or malaise.

Fatty liver disease is characterized by the following symptoms:

  • pain on palpation in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen;
  • tendency to edema;
  • apathy, drowsiness, fatigue;
  • causeless increase in body temperature;
  • bitterness in the mouth, nausea, loss of appetite;
  • jaundice (with severe forms diseases).

it general symptoms characteristic of diseases of the type of fatty infiltration. Most often, the patient does not have all the symptoms, but only some.

Diagnosis of steatosis

If at least two of the above symptoms are detected, it is recommended to contact a gastroenterologist for examination. The doctor, based on complaints, symptoms, examination, laboratory and instrumental methods of research, will make a diagnosis and decide how to treat the patient.

The main methods for diagnosing steatosis:

  • examination, palpation of the liver;
  • Ultrasound of the abdominal organs;
  • computer and magnetic resonance imaging;
  • liver tissue biopsy (microscopic examination of an organ sample);
  • general analysis of blood and urine.

Painful palpation in this disease is not required. Its appearance accompanies fatty hepatosis in alcoholics and diabetics. When probing the boundaries of the liver, its enlargement and compaction are noted.

With help beam methods diagnostics (ultrasound, CT), a specialist detects areas with altered density, in which ultrasonic or x-rays absorbed to a greater extent (echo signs change). This means that the tissues of the organ have undergone changes.

Residual confirmation of fatty infiltration of the liver can be a biopsy of a tissue sample of the organ. To do this, the patient is punctured - using a long needle under local anesthesia, a sample is taken not a large number liver tissue. Further, these samples are examined under a microscope and with the help of biochemical tests.

On a micropreparation stained with special dyes, a medical worker will see diffuse changes in the liver parenchyma, namely, cells in which large drops of fat fill their entire space and even destroy hepatocytes. The fatty infiltrate is also localized around the cells - in the stroma of the organ. In some cases (alcoholic fatty hepatosis), signs of fibrosis are added to the signs of fatty liver - the growth of connective tissue at the site of damaged functional cells. This condition threatens the development of cirrhosis of the liver.

In the blood of a patient with steatosis, there is an increase in the level of free lipids, fatty acids and liver enzymes, which enter the blood from destroyed hepatocytes. An increase in the activity of transaminases in the blood means that the liver parenchyma is being destroyed.

Treatment

Treatment of fatty infiltration of the liver should be comprehensive: they resort to etiotropic (aimed at the causes), symptomatic treatment, and diet therapy. The first thing to do after confirming the diagnosis is, if possible, to exclude the pathogenic factor: give up alcohol, stop the intake of toxic substances into the body, normalize nutrition, adjust the diet, etc. If the complete elimination of the cause is impossible (a genetic disease or an irreversible form of an acquired disease), then it is necessary to minimize the effect of the underlying disease on the body - to carry out symptomatic therapy. In such patients, it should be constant and systemic.

If the cause of fatty liver hepatosis lies in alcoholism or malnutrition, then if all the doctor's recommendations are followed, the disease can be defeated in a relatively short time(a month or two).

Patients diagnosed with hepatosis (fatty) are prescribed a special diet No. 5. Its essence is the exclusion from the diet of refractory animal fats and simple carbohydrates. The daily menu should include healthy vegetable fats and foods rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (fish, nuts, olive oil, etc.). It is also necessary to optimize the water regime. The optimal daily volume of water is 30 ml per 1 kg of body weight.

You should pay attention to foods rich in lipotropic substances - they promote the synthesis of phospholipids in the liver and inhibit additional fat synthesis. These products include lean beef, cheese, cottage cheese, chicken eggs, vegetable oils. The nutrition of the patient with hepatosis should be fractional (5-6 meals per day).

It is worth taking medicines with caution, this is a burden on the diseased organ. Any medications should be prescribed by a doctor, do not self-medicate. Hepatosis of the liver is an indication for the appointment of hepatoprotectors, which include:

  • phospholipids (Gepabene, Essentiale forte, etc.);
  • amino acids (methionine, ornithine);
  • preparations of natural origin (Alochol, Karsil);
  • vitamins of groups B and E;
  • synthetic lipotropic drugs.

If all the recommendations are followed, in a week the patient will feel an improvement in well-being. The processes of bile formation are optimized, the signs of fatty degeneration disappear, and with it the digestion. Appetite and energy returns to the patient.

Fatty hepatosis - symptoms and treatment, diet, complications, prevention of liver hepatosis

Fatty hepatosis or fatty liver, fatty degeneration, is called reversible chronic process hepatic dystrophy, which occurs as a result of excessive accumulation of lipids (fats) in the liver cells.

Currently, there is a rapid increase in this disease due to systematic malnutrition, as well as wrong image human life. It is possible to stop the development of the disease by identifying factors that affect the occurrence of fatty hepatosis. Changes in better side observed after a month with timely treatment

Fatty hepatosis: what is it?

Fatty hepatosis is a chronic disease in which functional liver cells (hepatocytes) degenerate into adipose tissue.

With fatty hepatosis, liver cells (hepatocytes) lose their functions, gradually accumulating in themselves simple fats and transform into adipose tissue. With steatosis or fatty infiltration, the mass of fat exceeds 5%, its small accumulations are scattered, this is what diffuse fatty hepatosis of the liver looks like. With its content of more than 10% of the total weight of the liver, more than half of the hepatocytes contain fat.

It is almost impossible to recognize fatty hepatosis at first. Unfortunately, the symptoms are especially pronounced at the last stage, when the disease is already progressing. The patient has:

  • feeling of heaviness in the liver;
  • rashes on the skin and its dull color;
  • indigestion, frequent nausea, vomiting is possible;
  • deterioration of vision.

One of the symptoms that characterize diffuse changes in the liver by the type of fatty hepatosis is an increase in its size - hepatomegaly. A diseased liver occupies a huge place in the internal cavity of a person, causing discomfort. The reasons for the increase in size are:

  • an increase in the number of cells to fight toxic substances;
  • tissue augmentation to restore lost functions;
  • excess fat cells.

The reasons

Based on what causes led to hepatosis, the disease can be divided into two groups: hereditary and resulting from a violation of metabolic processes in the body.

The main causes of fatty liver include:

  • obesity;
  • metabolic diseases;
  • hypodynamia;
  • binge eating;
  • vegetarianism with impaired carbohydrate metabolism;
  • diets for weight loss;
  • long-term use of certain drugs:
  • cordarone, diltiazem, expired tetracycline, tamoxifen;
  • deficiency in the body of alpha-antitrypsin;
  • antiviral treatment for HIV;
  • an overdose of vitamin A;
  • diseases of the organs of internal secretion;
  • systematic alcohol abuse;
  • exposure to radiation;
  • diseases of the digestive system.

The progression of cell dystrophy leads to an inflammatory process, and this, in turn, leads to tissue death and scarring (cirrhosis). At the same time, concomitant pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular system, metabolic disorders develop:

  • diabetes;
  • gallstones;
  • deficiency of digestive enzymes;
  • biliary dyskinesia;
  • inflammation of the pancreas;
  • hypertonic disease;
  • ischemia of the heart.

With fatty liver hepatosis, the patient is difficult to tolerate any infections, injuries and interventions.

There are risk factors for the formation of fatty hepatosis, among them:

  • high blood pressure;
  • female;
  • reduced platelets;
  • increased alkaline phosphatase and HTG;
  • polymorphism of the PNPLA3/148M gene.

Based on the reasons, we can say that the development of hepatosis can be completely prevented. A change in lifestyle will not only prevent the onset of the disease, but also eliminate it for initial stage.

Degrees

As fat accumulates, fatty liver is divided into three degrees of development:

  1. The first degree is characterized by a small accumulation of cells of simple fats. If these accumulations are noted in the number of several foci and a large distance is diagnosed between them, then this is diffuse fatty hepatosis.
  2. The second degree is put in the case when the volume of fat in the liver increases, and also areas of connective tissue appear in the structure of the organ.
  3. The most severe third degree of the disease is noted when the areas of overgrowth of liver cells with connective tissue and large deposits of fat are clearly visible.

Symptoms of fatty liver in adults

Hepatosis of the liver is a silent disease. Often, until the process becomes running, a person develops cirrhosis of the liver, nothing is noticeable. However, this is only an appearance. If you carefully listen to your own body, you can notice something that was not observed before. The first symptoms of fatty liver disease include:

  • Soreness in right side.
  • Enlarged liver, noticeable on palpation.
  • Digestive disorders: vomiting, diarrhea, nausea or constipation.
  • Deterioration of the skin and hair.
  • predisposition to colds, poor immunity and allergic reactions.
  • Reproductive disorders, impossibility of conception.
  • In women, there are deviations of the menstrual cycle, heavy or irregular bleeding.
  • Deterioration of blood clotting.

Usually anxiety symptoms do not appear at once, but increase over time. First, patients complain of soreness and discomfort, then symptoms of intoxication of the body appear, because the affected organ ceases to perform its function.

If treatment is not carried out at the initial stage, symptoms characteristic of different stages liver failure:

  • characterized by nausea and weakness, drowsiness,
  • decrease in performance
  • disgust for food
  • coordination deteriorates;
  • manifested by jaundice
  • swelling,
  • indigestion,
  • diathesis,
  • there is a general weakness,
  • abdominal dropsy may develop
  • characterized by changes in internal organs,
  • metabolic disorder.

AT severe cases Maybe:

If fatty liver disease is not treated, symptoms of liver cirrhosis and liver failure appear:

  • behavior change; jaundice;
  • monotony of speech;
  • weakness;
  • aversion to food;
  • ascites;
  • lack of coordination.

It is important to diagnose fatty liver hepatosis at an early stage - symptoms and treatment are determined and prescribed only by a doctor. Then it is more likely to fully restore its functions. The patient can reduce the healing time if he follows all the instructions. Unfortunately, at an early stage, the symptoms of fatty hepatosis do not appear.

People at risk should be periodically checked to detect diffuse changes and start treatment.

Complications

Fatty hepatosis leads to liver dysfunction, which is deadly for the patient. Gradual intoxication of the body negatively affects the functioning of the heart, kidneys and even lungs, causing irreversible damage. Most often, hepatosis develops into cirrhosis, and this disease is not subject to treatment at all.

Consequences for the body:

  • Stagnation appears 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 provokes dysbacteriosis.
  • Inadequate working capacity of the liver leads to a deficiency of vital trace elements. As a result, cardiac activity and the condition of the blood arteries worsen, hypertension occurs, varicose veins veins, decreased visual acuity.
  • In addition, there is a decrease in immunity, which leads to frequent colds, infectious and fungal diseases.

Diagnostics

On examination and palpation by a doctor, the liver was not enlarged, without features. Only when a large amount of fat accumulates, the liver can become enlarged with soft, rounded edges, painful to the touch. In the early stages of fatty hepatosis, pronounced symptoms are usually not detected. In patients with diabetes mellitus due to hepatosis.

To the list necessary activities for staging accurate diagnosis includes:

  • Ultrasound of the liver. Traditionally, ultrasound procedure liver helps to identify its increase, and this almost always indicates problems with the organ.
  • Tomographic study. MRI allows you to evaluate the structure of the liver. If fat is deposited in the organ, this will be visible on an MRI.
  • Blood chemistry. The indicators of ALT and AST are evaluated. With their increase, we are talking about liver disease.
  • Biopsy. It doesn't happen that often. Allows you to find out if there is fat in the structure of the body.

How to treat fatty liver disease?

The main treatment of fatty hepatosis is aimed at eliminating the factors that caused the disease, improving the regenerative abilities of the liver, improving metabolism, detoxification. With fatty hepatosis, it is necessary not only to take medications, but also to adjust the lifestyle and diet. Medications are used in combination - you need an effective means of membrane-stabilizing properties and antioxidants.

Drug therapy for fatty liver includes taking drugs to improve the function of the liver and its cells:

  • essential phospholipids (essliver, essentiale forte, berlition),
  • a group of sulfamic acids (taurine or methionine),
  • herbal preparations-hepatoprotectors (karsil, LIV-52, artichoke extract),
  • taking antioxidant vitamins - tocopherol or retinol,
  • taking selenium supplements
  • group B drugs intramuscularly or in tablets.
  • Berlition is prescribed at a dose of up to 300 mg (1 tab.) twice a day for up to 2 months. With severe dynamics, Berlition is administered intravenously up to 600 mg for two weeks, followed by a transition to taking 300-600 mg per day in tablets.
  • Essentiale is prescribed up to 2 capsules (600 mg) 3 times a day. The duration of treatment is up to 3 months. Gradually reduce the dosage to 1 capsule 3 times a day.
  • An effective membrane-stabilizing drug is the artichoke - Hofitol. Assign before meals (3 times a day) three tablets a course of 3 weeks.

Before use, consult your doctor, because. there are contraindications.

The patient at home must:

  1. Follow a diet that excludes fats, but rich in protein;
  2. News active image life, which will contribute to weight loss if necessary, as well as speed up metabolism;
  3. Take medications prescribed by your doctor, including folic acid, vitamin B12, etc. to improve digestion;
  4. visit a doctor;
  5. Eat boiled and steamed food, finely chopped or mashed if possible.

Diet

A person diagnosed with fatty liver needs to completely reconsider their lifestyle and diet, in which it is necessary to exclude the consumption of animal fats. At the same time, food should include foods that help dissolve fats deposited in the liver. You need to eat 5 times a day, in small portions, in order to reduce the load on the liver.

  • fresh boiled and steamed vegetables;
  • vegetarian soups and borscht (without meat);
  • milk soups;
  • low-fat and mild cheese;
  • boiled eggs (1 per day);
  • steamed omelet;
  • oatmeal, buckwheat, semolina and rice porridge;
  • milk;
  • low-fat or fat-free cottage cheese;
  • kefir, low-fat yogurt.
  • Replace cocoa and coffee with unsweetened tea.
  • meat broths,
  • fatty meat and fish
  • fresh onions and garlic
  • beans and beans,
  • tomatoes,
  • mushrooms,
  • radish,
  • canned food,
  • salted and smoked foods,
  • fat cottage cheese and sour cream.

Patients with hepatosis should also eat the following foods in any quantities:

  • artichoke to stabilize the processes occurring in the liver;
  • pine nuts, which help restore tissue cells;
  • sorrel, which acts as a stabilizing component and eliminates fatty formations in the affected organ;
  • cinnamon, which also breaks down body fat;
  • turmeric, which neutralizes sugar and free radicals, formed in the blood during hepatosis and negatively affecting the functioning of the liver.

Menu for the day with hepatosis

A sample menu for the day should meet the requirements of the diet and include:

  • The first breakfast is oatmeal in water with milk, low-fat cottage cheese, black tea.
  • Second breakfast - dried fruits, apple, prunes.
  • Dinner - vegetable soup with vegetable oils (corn, olive), buckwheat porridge, compote.
  • Snack - bread, unsweetened cookies, rosehip broth.
  • Dinner - mashed potatoes with steamed fish, beetroot salad, low-fat kefir.

Folk remedies for hepatosis

Before use folk remedies treatment, be sure to consult a gastroenterologist.

  1. Tea with mint and lemon balm, which is brewed and drunk symptomatically, will ease nausea and heaviness. when the symptoms are directly disturbing.
  2. Milk thistle (or milk thistle). It is designed to improve the outflow of bile, normalize the work of not only the liver, but also the gallbladder. It also has a membrane-forming function, promotes the restoration of liver cells and helps to synthesize protein.
  3. Often with hepatosis, an infusion based on peppermint. One tablespoon of such a dried plant (usually chopped mint leaves) is poured with 100 grams of boiling water and left overnight. In the morning, the infusion is filtered, after which it must be divided into three equal portions. Each serving is drunk before meals throughout the day.
  4. Dog-rose fruit. They help to remove toxins from the body, enrich it with trace elements and vitamins. About 50 g of rose hips are infused in 500 ml of boiling water for 12 hours. Take three times a day, 150 ml.
  5. Liver collection is designed for treatment within 2 months. Ingredients: St. John's wort, plantain, agrimony, marshmallow (3 parts each), immortelle, eleutherococcus (2 parts), chamomile (1 part). 1 st. l. collection, pour a glass of boiling water, after 30 minutes - strain. Drink before meals 30 ml, without sweetening, three times a day.

Prevention

If you want to avoid the occurrence of this disease, it is very important to follow preventive measures. What will be relevant in this case?

  • Proper nutrition.
  • Maintaining normal weight.
  • You need to lead an active lifestyle. Walking in the fresh air, as well as moderate physical activity on the body, are very important.
  • You need to drink at least two liters of water per day.
  • You also need to refrain from bad habits. Especially from alcohol.
  • It is important to monitor your blood sugar levels.

Fatty liver disease is a reversible liver disease. This pathology successfully treated in the early stages. There is no definite treatment. It all comes down to a change in lifestyle, revision of nutrition, exclusion of etiological (causal) factors.

Fatty infiltration of the liver

Doctors say that fatty infiltration of the liver is manifested due to the accumulation of fat in this organ. It happens by various reasons: some antibiotics, alcohol or other factors.

In many cases, the disease is not life-threatening if treated early. However, if the disease is started, it can be fatal.

Main clinical symptoms and diagnosis

Fatty infiltration of the liver is associated with abundant accumulation of fat on the cells and tissues of the liver. In the first stages, the patient does not feel any pronounced symptoms at all. The thing is that the liver begins to change slightly. As soon as the first initial symptoms begin to appear, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Main symptoms and signs

  • Diffuse changes in the liver occur: the norm is 1.5 kilograms, and it can reach up to 5 kilograms.
  • The presence of pain in the right lower hypochondrium, during palpation.
  • A slight increase in body temperature, as well as nausea and vomiting, after which the appetite disappears.
  • A visible symptom is swelling of the whole body, arms and legs, and the abdomen becomes unnaturally rounded.

Such symptoms are manifested due to disruption of the liver and pancreas, as well as the quality of their functions.

Causes of the manifestation of the disease

Once we have understood what exactly this disease is, we can consider certain factors that cause it and can continue to develop. To date, doctors have clearly established the factors due to which the disease develops:

First, it is the excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages. Since alcohol destroys liver cells, and due to the fact that alcoholic beverages are consumed often, the organ does not have time to regenerate. Instead of normal liver tissues, they are filled with adipose tissue.

It is not uncommon for the disease to manifest itself after pesticide poisoning or due to the use of a large number of drugs.

Sometimes the disease can be detected in pregnant women, it mainly manifests itself in those who practice frequent hunger.

Other causes are: diabetes mellitus, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (gastrointestinal tract) and other chronic diseases.

Basically, fatty infiltration of the liver occurs in people who are obese.

Diagnostics

Fatty infiltration is detected as a result of a diagnosis by a gastroenterologist. First you need to conduct an external examination of the patient. The disease is easily detected by examination by palpation or by routine examination.

It is possible to see puffiness and swelling of the patient's body. In addition, the doctor can palpate the lower hypochondrium. If the liver is abnormally enlarged, the doctor will immediately feel it, and the patient, in turn, will feel sharp pain with slight pressure on this organ.

It must be understood that external diagnosis of the liver is not a confirmation of the diagnosis. In order to be able to specifically determine the disease, it is necessary to conduct computed tomography or ultrasound. With tomography, diffuse changes in the liver can be detected - this is the heterogeneity of its tissues.

Still, it does not mean the disease. Diffuse changes can confirm certain disorders in the functioning of this organ. Thanks to ultrasound, changes in the liver are detected.

Doctors say that the disease can be diagnosed after a liver biopsy. What is it? The procedure involves taking samples of liver tissue using a special needle. After analysis in the laboratory, it will be possible to notice fat cells and deposits in the liver.

Why can you get sick and how to treat this disease?

The main thing is not to panic, since this disease can be cured during the first month, with the appointment of the right and timely treatment. The thing is that the liver is an organ that can recover on its own, and auxiliary drugs will speed up the recovery process.

How is fatty liver treated?

The doctor must prescribe and carry out complex treatment which is divided into two stages. At the first stage, something similar to the elimination of the main cause of the onset of the disease occurs. If it is caused by the systematic use of alcohol, then the doctor prescribes a complete rejection of alcoholic beverages.

If fatty infiltration is caused certain diseases, then it is necessary to treat these diseases, and after that the normal functioning of the liver is restored. At the second stage, the damaged organ is restored.

As soon as all the causes of fatty infiltration are eliminated, the patient is prescribed a course to restore the affected organ. The first thing every doctor prescribes is strict adherence to a diet. As we said, the liver tends to recover on its own, by regenerating damaged cells. The doctor may recommend the use of medications such as Gepabene.

For severe cases, special injections may be prescribed. medical preparations which have a strong effect. It must be remembered that the main treatment for the liver will be a diet, due to which it is possible to reduce the load on the body, this will give it an excellent opportunity for recovery and a speedy recovery.

It is important to know that if the treatment of fatty liver is not prescribed in time, the disease can have more serious consequences, even death.

This will happen due to the fact that the liver will never be able to recover again, subsequently the organ will stop working and perform its functions.

Fatty infiltration of the liver can be caused by chronic use alcohol. If you do not start treatment, then this can develop into cirrhosis of the liver, and also cause the death of a patient with refusal this body.

In order for the above diseases not to spread and acquire complications, it is necessary to consult specialist doctors in a timely manner, and not self-medicate, as this may cause not an improvement, but a worsening of the patient's condition.

Steatosis or fatty liver

Steatosis is commonly referred to as fatty infiltration of the liver. In a literal sense, this is the accumulation of fat in the liver cells. This disease is considered the most common among all hepatoses.

It occurs due to the reaction of the liver to the toxic effects of various kinds. In addition, some diseases and all kinds of pathologies become the cause of this process. It can also develop due to starvation.

Steatosis in mild cases occurs without any pain and may be of short duration. Severe cases of the disease are extremely painful. The mass of the liver sometimes increases to five kilograms, although normally its weight reaches 1.5 kg. Particularly severe cases can lead to liver failure and further death. Fatty infiltration is, in principle, reversible. Treatment today provides for careful observance by the patient of all the doctor's recommendations and a complete rejection of alcohol.

Causes of fatty infiltration of the liver

Pathology most often haunts people who abuse alcohol. Depending on the amount of alcohol consumed, the severity of liver infiltration is observed.

Other causes of fatty liver:

  • Diabetes;
  • Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
  • Overdose of medications;
  • Hunger, malnutrition;
  • Pesticide poisoning;
  • Obesity;
  • Pregnancy;
  • Systemic diseases.

Symptoms of fatty liver

In many ways, the symptoms depend on the level of liver damage. In the initial stages, the pathology may be completely asymptomatic. In many patients, symptoms include tenderness on palpation and liver enlargement. Standard symptoms of the disease:

  • swelling;
  • elevated temperature;
  • Pain in the right hypochondrium;
  • Vomiting, nausea, loss of appetite.

Diagnosis of fatty infiltration of the liver

Fatty liver disease can be diagnosed by a qualified physician. He pays special attention to those people who suffer from alcoholism, diabetes, obesity. In addition, when diagnosing, the doctor is based on the presence of standard symptoms for the pathology. To confirm the diagnosis, a blood test and a needle biopsy are performed.

Despite the fact that with fatty hepatosis, the functional state of the organ necessarily decreases, with the help of standard laboratory tests, these violations are almost impossible to confirm. In patients, taking into account the etiology, these or those objective or subjective symptoms that are associated with the underlying disease are often found. For example, fatty degeneration, which develops against the background of chronic alcohol intoxication, is usually characterized by anorexia, shortness of breath and other symptoms. However, the clinical course of the disease is almost asymptomatic. Sometimes patients complain of discomfort and heaviness in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen, which is aggravated by movement.

Soreness on palpation in the liver area is extremely rare. Its appearance can be associated with the active accumulation of fat in the liver due to alcoholism or decompensation of diabetes mellitus. With fatty hepatosis, the liver is often enlarged, but everything will depend on the background pathology. The echogenicity of the liver tissue in the case of fatty hepatosis on ultrasound can be quite normal (rarely increased), but such changes are difficult to distinguish from fibrosis and cirrhosis. Only CT ( CT scan) and magnetic resonance imaging can in most cases detect fatty infiltration of the liver.

During ultrasound, foci in the form of areas of high echogenicity can be detected, during computed tomography, areas with a reduced absorption coefficient are detected. But even in similar situations The diagnosis can only be confirmed by puncture biopsy of the liver under computer control. Over time, lesions may change or disappear, therefore, if studies are carried out in dynamics, especially during treatment, their probable disappearance is not excluded, which is of great diagnostic value.

In this regard, excessive accumulation of fat in the liver can be confirmed only in the case of histological examination of biopsy specimens. When a liver section is stained with eosin or hematoxylan, empty vacuoles are found in hepatocytes, as well as a nucleus displaced to the cell periphery. If fatty degeneration is formed due to alcohol intoxication, then along with drip obesity of liver cells, pericellular fibrosis, neutrophilic infiltration of the intralobular and interlobular sections of the liver, an increase (swelling) of hepatocytes, deposition of Mallory hyaline bodies in the cells begin to form. In fatty degeneration, it is often noted in the blood serum increased content g-glutamyltranspeptidase, which is probably associated with alcohol abuse.

Activity alkaline phosphatase and serum transaminases are usually slightly elevated, albumin, bilirubin, and prothrombin levels are often normal.

Appeared in the background general obesity fatty liver is one of the most common causes of increased activity of transaminases, and often other manifestations of the metabolic syndrome (hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia, etc.).

Fatty degeneration often develops in people without any reason. In any case, sometimes doctors simply cannot find any explainable reason for its formation. Such a disease belongs to the idiopathic (cryptogenic) form.

Treatment of fatty infiltration of the liver

Due to the wide variety of reasons for the development of this disease, the systematization of treatment is very difficult. Treatment is aimed, first of all, at the complete elimination or correction of the cause, due to which fatty infiltration began to develop. For example, a similar pathology caused by alcoholism is treated with a complete rejection of alcohol and proper nutrition. The liver in this case can recover in a month.

If the cause of fatty infiltration of the liver is malnutrition, but you need to follow a special diet that contains the required amount of proteins. In any case, non-aggravating therapy should be carried out with a diet and taking drugs that bring liver function back to normal. Excellent results are demonstrated by the prolonged use of Gepabene plant origin.

Due to this, the formation of bile and bile secretion are stimulated, the functions of the organ are improved. The patient after treatment for some time is recommended to be under medical supervision.

Self-treatment of steatosis

It is worth knowing that fatty infiltration of the liver can be treated very well, but only if the doctor's indications are carefully followed.

A person who suffers from alcoholism should attend periodic meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous. In addition, today there are various rehabilitation centers that are focused on helping alcoholics and their families.

In the fight against overweight you need to choose and follow the diet that will not limit the patient in nutrients. In addition, when switching to a diet, you need to consult with qualified specialists.

  • frequent nausea and vomiting;

Fat infiltration

Fats are constantly accumulating in the body, which leads to the displacement of fats from its tissues. normal structures and problems in the work of those who still remain in their natural state. Any degree of fatty infiltration of the gland and liver is a direct symptom of a metabolic disorder in the body.

Often this diagnosis is made to those patients who have acute or chronic pancreatitis due to frequent use alcoholic drinks. There are many cases of fatty infiltration in those who are overweight. In this case, the pancreas itself will not be significantly increased in size, and its contours will be smooth, the ducts will not be modified. In such circumstances, infiltration is also combined with liver problems.

In the body of each person, none of the processes can proceed independently. Whatever the disease, it always provokes quite unpleasant consequences. If a patient has pancreatitis, then in many cases it becomes the result of activation of diabetes mellitus. Diabetes can cause destruction of the pancreas in those who are overweight. Such deviations from the norm do not occur in isolation and are diagnosed after the onset of characteristic changes in the liver.

Fatty infiltration of the pancreas, as well as the liver, appears during such processes in patients with pancreatitis:

The existing consequences of inflammation of the pancreas are multiplied many times under the condition of obesity. Such modifications indicate that, due to a violation of the normal functioning of the organ, the replacement of pancreatic tissues with fat begins. It is important to know that such a process is irreversible.

Such a condition as infiltration can not always develop against the background of inflammation. Besides, inflammatory process not every time it becomes a prerequisite for degeneration of organ tissues. As a rule, people suffer from fatty changes:

  • with congenital predisposition;
  • with overweight;
  • elderly patients.

It is for this reason that these categories of people will be under the close attention of the doctor.

Fat deposits in the pancreas and liver

Almost always obesity of the pancreas is accompanied by fatty infiltration of the liver. This is due to the fact that the human body is a whole system in which absolutely all processes are interconnected and none of them can proceed by itself.

If we consider pancreatitis, then it often becomes the cause of diabetes mellitus and the death of pancreatic cells. This organ affects the liver and leads to certain changes in it, and the progress of the disease can go so far that the removal of the pancreas is required.

It is important to understand that obesity of these vital organs is a completely irreversible process. For this reason, the doctor should take such a patient under his careful control, examining him twice a year.

In addition, the diet must be present in the life of a sick person without fail. It is proper nutrition that becomes the key to preventing relapse due to the exclusion of fatty foods.

Symptoms of infiltration

Obesity of the pancreas does not give any symptoms, because the location of adipose tissue on different parts body, and in small areas. The resulting foci are not able to disrupt the function of the gland, do not lead to compression of the ducts and parenchyma. The only thing that can disturb the patient:

  • fast fatiguability;
  • the appearance of small ulcers on the oral mucosa;
  • dry mouth.

A fatty gland can only be diagnosed by ultrasound.

The disease proceeds erased and is characterized by slow progression. In the subsequent stages, there are already clearer signs of fatty infiltration:

  • dull pain of girdle character, especially under the right rib;
  • nausea;
  • diarrhea;
  • excessive gas formation;
  • vomiting urge.

In especially serious cases, it may be:

  • patient weight loss
  • development of hepatitis;
  • pain in the abdomen;
  • skin can be very itchy.

Treatment

Fatty infiltration and obesity should be treated in combination. This process involves four areas of treatment of the disease:

  • getting rid of the prerequisites of pathology;
  • treatment with drugs;
  • reception vitamin complexes and drugs based on traditional medicine recipes;
  • special diet and exercise.

In each case, the treatment will be selected individually, according to the picture of the course of the disease and its history. As a rule, recovery takes more than 2 months.

Principles of nutrition in case of illness

With fatty infiltration, it is important to eat in such a way as not to overload the pancreas, this is also a kind of treatment. special diet should include vegetable oils, as well as non-fatty acids. If diabetes mellitus develops in parallel, which can give such a complication as diabetic retinopathy, then it is important to limit the use of foods with high content simple carbohydrates that adversely affect health.

After the end of the course of treatment, it is necessary to donate blood for biochemistry and undergo an ultrasound scan of all abdominal organs. In view of the fact that this ailment is a consequence of a violation of metabolic processes, it is important to carry out treatment courses twice a year.

If you adhere to proper nutrition, then this will be the key to recovery and will be an excellent prevention of pancreatic obesity, in combination, combining treatment and diet. The diet is based on the fact that foods that increase the inflammatory process and slow down digestion should be minimized. In addition, it is important to limit yourself in consumption:

  • alcoholic drinks;
  • sweet dishes and confectionery;
  • fatty foods;
  • spicy and salty.

A sick person should eat small meals and not skip meals. Last time You need to eat at least 2 hours before the intended departure to sleep. It is always important to remember that it is forbidden to go to bed immediately after eating, because this will cause digestive problems and even more burden the pancreas.

The diet for obesity of the pancreas includes a fairly large amount of drinking. To be specific, it is at least 3 liters clean water. It is best to use special healing water, for example, mineral magnesium sulfate. You can also include decoctions of medicinal plants:

Fermented milk products have a good effect on the state of the pancreas.

The diet and its principles should be compiled by the attending physician individually for each such patient.

The most important thing about the pancreas

Surely everyone knows and heard about iron. The pancreas is part of the human gastrointestinal tract, and is considered the largest among the glands in size. It has an elongated structure, consists of three sections: head, body, tail. On top of the gland, as it were, it is covered with a capsule.

The pancreas is located near several organs at once, in the depths of the peritoneum. The head is surrounded by the duodenum, the body passes almost under the stomach, and the tail almost approaches the spleen. With regards to the purpose of the body, the gland performs two functions.

The first of them is the production of a number of hormones, for example, insulin, glycogen, and the second function is the synthesis of pancreatic juice. Juice is needed for the digestion of food that has entered the body. It is in an inactive state in the gland, but when it enters the duodenum through the ducts (where the next stage of food breakdown takes place), it is converted into an active state, and each individual juice enzyme changes proteins, fats and carbohydrates to an elementary digestible level.

When violations occur in the work of the pancreas, the body fails and certain diseases related to this organ begin to cling. Most often, diseases are associated with a person’s malnutrition, these can be both eating disorders and the use of unhealthy foods (fried, fatty, smoked, spicy, etc.) or alcoholic beverages.

Today Russia is among the leaders in gland diseases. And all why? Because our people have become much better, more varied, more colorful to eat, move less at the same time, and therefore spend less energy. It enters the body much more than it is spent.

So pancreatic obesity quietly sneaks up on many. Who has some other problems with metabolism, general weight loss, so these people are probably threatened with this lifestyle of fatty infiltration of the gland. What is a fatty infiltration of the pancreas? Where and what are its consequences?

The main symptoms of a diseased pancreas:

  1. pain different strength, character, place, more often herpes zoster, minutes after eating, alcoholic beverages, directed mainly from the bottom up, in the right hypochondrium.
  2. Nausea, vomiting without relief, indigestion.
  3. Bloating (with palpation, the peritoneum is tense).
  4. Temperature, lethargy, fatigue.
  5. Dry mouth.
  6. Change skin(given to yellow) etc.

Obesity of the pancreas, infiltrate

Fatty infiltration (obesity) is a disease of a latent nature of the course, in which changes occur in the structure of the tissues of an organ (infiltration) with the simultaneous replacement of normal cells with fibro-fatty cells.

With malnutrition and an inactive lifestyle, fats (lipocytic cells) constantly accumulate in the gland. All this can be described medical term"Infiltrate", in which a section of living tissue is characterized by the presence of elements unusual for it.

In addition to the fact that malnutrition, alcohol and an inactive lifestyle can contribute to the development of the disease, there are a number of other reasons that give rise to it:

  1. The presence of chronic or acute pancreatitis.
  2. Wrong treatment of inflammation of the pancreas.
  3. hepatosis of the liver.
  4. General human obesity.
  5. Genetic (hereditary) predisposition.
  6. Diabetes.
  7. Elderly age.

Often the pancreas itself is not greatly enlarged in size, its contours are not broken, even, and the ducts are without obvious visible changes. The forms of the organ remain, but they are lost functionality. Symptoms develop implicitly, usually hidden.

The person is asking for medical care to the doctors when adipose tissue, strongly progressing, covers almost the entire area of ​​the organ, leading to its dysfunction. Because of this, the coordinated work of the organs of the digestive tract, which are directly dependent on the pancreas, is disrupted.

Pancreatic steatosis occurs in parallel with fatty liver. In such cases, experts say that in addition to the pancreas, there is “obvious” fatty infiltration of the liver. Steatosis of the liver and pancreas are processes recognized by physicians as irreversible.

Treatment of fatty infiltration

If timely measures are not taken, this condition can eventually develop into pancreatic cancer or cirrhosis of the liver. Urgent appeal for help will ensure that the patient receives on time competent treatment, which is aimed at both curbing the process of obesity and eliminating the causes that cause it.

There are three stages of pancreatic obesity:

  1. When changes affect up to 30% of the cells of the body.
  2. In the range of 30–60%, the presence of fat cells.
  3. Over 60% of lipocytes.

Fatty infiltration of the pancreas is treated either conservatively or surgically.

If it is found that the fatty inclusions are small, dispersed throughout the pancreas and do not compress the ducts, then the doctor prescribes conservative treatment to the patient. The main thing in it is the observance of a certain therapeutic diet (table number 5), with which you can remove excess fat from the cells of the organ, to prevent squeezing of the ducts and prevent further progress of the disease.

The diet for obesity of the pancreas involves:

Fatty Liver Infiltration: Causes, Symptoms and Treatments

Fatty liver disease, or hepatosis, is a fairly common and dangerous disease. It is accompanied by the so-called fatty degeneration, when simple fats begin to accumulate in functional cells - hepatocytes. As the disease progresses, liver tissue begins to be replaced by fatty tissue, which leads to impaired normal functions organ and, accordingly, affects the normal functioning of the whole organism.

Fatty infiltration of the liver and its causes

In fact, hepatosis can occur under the influence of many factors, both external and internal environment.

  1. For example, fatty degeneration is often associated with a violation of lipid metabolism in the body. Sometimes a person's blood contains an abnormally large amount of free lipids, which accumulate in the liver tissues. The risk of developing hepatosis increases with obesity or diabetes.
  2. The disease can also be associated with malnutrition, for example, a lack of protein foods or starvation, which puts the body into a state of stress and disrupts the normal functioning of the liver.
  3. far from last place in the list of causes is toxic effects. Liver infiltration often develops against the background of chronic alcoholism.
  4. Statistics confirm that people living in areas of high radiation have a similar problem more often.
  5. The danger is fraught with unsystematic use of antibiotics for a long time.
  6. Fatty infiltration of the liver may result from hormonal disruptions. It has been proven that thyroxin deficiency leads to the development of such a disease, as well as excess amount hormones of the adrenal cortex. In addition, the risk of developing hepatosis increases during pregnancy.
  7. In some cases, the cause is a violation of the normal digestion and absorption of fats in the digestive tract.

Fatty infiltration of the liver and its main symptoms

Unfortunately, the first stages of fatty degeneration are rarely accompanied by any serious symptoms, and patients often do not pay attention to a slight ailment. You need to understand that it is very important to detect the disease in time, because in the last stages of development, conservative treatment is unlikely to bring results. The main signs of hepatosis include:

  • permanent dysbacteriosis, which is manifested by bloating and abdominal pain, flatulence, problems with stools;
  • frequent nausea and vomiting;
  • heaviness in the abdomen on the right side;
  • deterioration of the skin, which, as the disease progresses, becomes dull and thin;
  • over time, there is a decrease in visual acuity.

Fatty infiltration of the liver: treatment and diagnosis

As a rule, even during the examination, the doctor detects an enlarged liver, which is the reason for additional research- Ultrasound, tomography and biopsy. Treatment directly depends on the stage of development of the disease and the cause of its occurrence. For example, if hepatosis is caused by drinking alcohol, then the patient should stop drinking alcohol. In addition, it is necessary to comply strict diet, exclude spicy, fried, fatty and spicy foods from the diet. Sometimes required hormone therapy. Unfortunately, in the last stages of the development of the disease, the only possible way treatment is a liver transplant.

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Diffuse changes in the liver according to the type of fatty infiltration

Fatty infiltration of the liver occurs due to the accumulation of fat in it. Such changes take place different reasons among which are the effects of alcohol, certain drugs and other factors. This is a non-dangerous disease if you start its treatment on time. In the most severe cases, such a liver disease can lead to the death of the patient.

Clinical symptoms and diagnosis

Due to the fact that fatty infiltration is a disease that is associated with the accumulation of fat in the tissues and cells of the liver, due to exposure to toxic substances, diagnosis this disease has its own specifics.

Symptoms

In the first stages, the patient will not feel pronounced symptoms, since minor changes in the liver will occur. But after the first symptoms appear, it is better to immediately contact a specialist.

Fatty infiltration has the following symptoms:

  • first of all, swelling appears throughout the body, the arms and legs become soft, and the abdomen becomes unnaturally rounded;
  • the volume of the liver increases: with its norm of 1.5 kilograms, it can reach 5 kilograms;
  • nausea and vomiting appear, in which appetite disappears;
  • body temperature may rise;
  • there is pain syndrome, which manifests itself on palpation of the right lower hypochondrium.

Such symptoms are caused by the fact that changes that have occurred in the liver affect the quality of its functions.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis, in which fatty infiltration is detected, will be as follows.

  • The first thing the specialist does is conduct an external examination of the patient. This ailment can be detected during an external examination, when puffiness and swelling of the body is observed. In addition, the lower hypochondrium is palpated, and if the liver is enlarged, the doctor will feel it, and the patient will feel pain when pressing on this organ.
  • External diagnostics liver is not a confirmation of this diagnosis. In order to determine it, computed tomography or ultrasound is prescribed. In the first case, diffuse changes will be detected. Diffuse changes in the liver are the heterogeneity of its tissues. But such changes do not yet say that the patient may have this disease. Diffuse changes only confirm violations in this organ. In the second case, with the help of ultrasound, changes in this organ are also detected.
  • Most precise research- It's a biopsy. It involves taking, using a special needle, samples of liver tissue. Then, during the study, fat cells and deposits in it are detected.

What contributes to this disease, and its treatment

It is important to know that this disease in the early stages does not have serious consequences, because with proper treatment within a month, the body will fully recover and begin to perform its functions in full.

The reasons

Having understood what a fatty infiltration is, you need to pay special attention to what causal factors contribute to its development.

Doctors have clearly established the factors contributing to the development of this disease:

  • the very first is the abuse of alcoholic beverages, this is due to the fact that alcohol destroys the cells of this organ, and its periodic use does not allow them to recover, as a result of which they are replaced by adipose tissue;
  • the following are various diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (gastrointestinal tract), diabetes mellitus and other chronic diseases;
  • this disease manifests itself after pesticide poisoning or the use of a large number of drugs;
  • this ailment is often found in pregnant women, and in those who practice frequent hunger;
  • also this disease people who are diagnosed with obesity are susceptible.

It is these factors that cause changes in this organ.

Treatment

Treatment is complex and is divided into two main stages.

  • The first stage of treatment takes place according to the type of elimination of the cause of the appearance of this disease. For example, if it is caused by the systematic use of alcohol, then you must first completely abandon it. If this is caused by diseases, then these diseases are treated, and then the work of this organ is restored.
  • The second stage of treatment takes place according to the type of restoration of the organ itself. After eliminating the causes of fatty infiltration, a course is prescribed rehabilitation treatment. The very first thing is diet, as the liver begins to repair itself, regenerating damaged cells. Recommended treatment medicines(for example, Gepabene). In the most severe cases, injections of medications with a stronger effect may be prescribed.

In general, the most important treatment is a diet that allows you to reduce the load on this organ and give it the opportunity to begin to recover.

It is important to know that with untimely treatment of this disease, the patient may die, since the liver will never be able to recover, and the organ itself will cease to function.

This disease is primarily caused by chronic alcohol consumption. If it is not treated in time, then it can turn into cirrhosis or cause the death of the patient by the failure of this organ.

Fatty infiltration of the pancreas: causes, symptoms and treatments

Fatty degeneration involves the replacement of normal pancreatic cells with fat. The process is irreversible. The symptoms of the disease are usually latent. Treatment is aimed at curbing obesity and eliminating the causes that cause it.

Fatty infiltration of the pancreas is closely associated with a disease such as fatty liver.

The reasons

Changes in the cellular composition of the pancreas, expressed in the deposition of fat, are explained by metabolic disorders. The dying cells of the pancreas are replaced by fat cells - in this way the body maintains the physical integrity of the gland. Most often this disease is found in the following cases:

  • there is chronic or acute pancreatitis;
  • improper treatment of inflammation of the pancreas;
  • alcohol abuse;
  • non-compliance with the diet with diagnosed pancreatitis;
  • present hepatosis of the liver;
  • general obesity of the patient;
  • genetic predisposition.

Most often, obesity of the pancreas and hepatosis of the liver occur in the elderly. So, for example, the liver up to 40 years old can independently cope with the existing loads, however, after this age it internal reserves are running out.

signs

The initial stages of the disease do not manifest themselves. If fatty tissue changes are located in different parts of the pancreas, then they do not compress it and do not disrupt functionality, and that is why they can go unnoticed for a long time. A slight fatigue, dry mouth, the formation of ulcers on the oral mucosa may be the only signs of incipient fatty infiltration.

In the further stages of the development of the disease, more pronounced symptoms appear:

  • nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
  • dull pains of girdle nature with the onset in the right hypochondrium - simultaneously with obesity of the pancreas, hepatosis of the liver begins to appear;
  • flatulence.

AT exceptional cases the patient may begin weight loss, itching of the skin, severe pain in the peritoneum.

Fatty infiltration of the pancreas is a latent disease in which changes occur in the normal tissues of the organ and the formation of fibrous-fat cells.

Stages and diagnosis of the disease

It is customary to distinguish 3 degrees of obesity of the pancreas:

  1. Changes affect no more than 30% of gland cells.
  2. Fat cells make up 30 to 60% of organ tissues.
  3. More than 60% of cells are fat.

However, this classification does not determine the severity of the disease. The true picture depends on the location, as well as the crowding of fat deposits.

Ultrasound of the pancreas is the most reliable way to diagnose fatty infiltration (lipodystrophy) of the organ. Changes do not affect the shape and size of the pancreas. Only its echogenicity changes, which indicates the existing pathology.

Antifat Therapy

The prescribed treatment will be most effective if the true cause of the disease is identified and, if possible, eliminated. If it is fatty hepatosis of the liver, then its therapy is also necessary, for example, good results are obtained by taking the drug "Hepatosan". This will reduce the load on the pancreas and stop the death of its cells.

Treatment of fatty infiltration is carried out in two ways:

  • conservative therapy - based on a sparing diet, avoidance of alcohol, fractional nutrition in small portions, the appointment of enzymes and insulin;
  • surgical intervention - is used if there are changes in the tissues of the pancreas at the level of the 3rd degree of infiltration, it consists in cutting out areas of fat from the pancreas, is a complex operation.

Since the process of lipodystrophy is irreversible, the patient is under the constant supervision of the attending physician with a mandatory examination twice a year. This applies to the entire abdominal cavity, because pancreatic obesity can provoke diseases of neighboring organs, for example, causing hepatosis of the liver.

Why Treat Pancreatic Obesity?

Fatty changes in the tissues of the pancreas can lead to complete inhibition of its functions - the production of insulin, glucagon and pancreatic juice. The worse the pancreas performs its role in the body, the greater the load experienced by nearby organs and the entire digestive system.

Obesity of the pancreas is closely related to the health of other organs of the gastrointestinal tract. The development of fatty hepatosis of the liver strongly affects the occurrence of pancreatic lipodystrophy, so the complex treatment of these diseases will be most effective.

Diet, giving up bad habits and following the doctor's recommendations are the key to minimizing body fat in the pancreas.

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Video about the functions of the pancreas

Causes of pathological changes

Fatty infiltration of the liver develops due to a violation fat metabolism in the liver tissue. The disease progresses due to toxic poisoning and lack of essential vitamins and minerals.

Allocate the following reasons changes in liver tissue:

  1. Alcohol addiction. Ethyl alcohol, contained in alcoholic beverages, is the strongest poison, the transformation and excretion of which is done by the liver. With regular and large doses of alcohol entering the body, the body cannot cope with the increased load, so an infiltrate (seal in the liver tissue) occurs, and subsequently steatohepatosis.
  2. Pathological changes in the colon or small intestine. Intestinal diseases provoke malabsorption of nutrients, which affects the state of the liver.
  3. Frequent and prolonged stress, uncontrolled intake of steroid drugs, hyperfunction of the adrenal glands increase the production of cortisol, which increases the rate of fat synthesis in the liver cells.
  4. Food additives and flavorings, some medications with a complex structure contain toxic substances that are difficult for the body to neutralize.
  5. Diabetes mellitus of the second type.

The proper functioning of the liver depends on the full and balanced nutrition Therefore, pathological changes in the body can begin in case of systematic overeating, abuse of fatty and fried foods, as well as prolonged diets or fasting.

Overweight problems, when all organs experience increased load, as well as periods of pregnancy and menopause, accompanied by a hormonal surge, also provoke the appearance of the disease.

Symptoms and diagnostic methods

The initial stage of the disease is almost asymptomatic, as changes in the liver tissue are just beginning. However, as the pathology develops, the symptoms become pronounced.

The following signs of fatty infiltration are distinguished:

  • Swelling of the body and limbs;
  • The abdomen becomes unnaturally round;
  • Bitter taste in the mouth;
  • The volume of the liver can reach five kilograms;
  • Nausea, accompanied by vomiting, lack of appetite;
  • stool disorders;
  • Thinning and dryness of the skin;
  • Significant increases in body temperature are possible;
  • Pain localized in the lower part of the right hypochondrium, which increases with palpation.

The occurrence of these symptoms indicates the development pathological changes in the liver tissue, therefore, at the first manifestations of the disease, you should contact medical institution for a complete diagnosis.

Diagnostic studies are carried out in several stages, each of which is necessary to confirm the disease.

Most probable causes development of fatty hepatosis are: diseases of the gastrointestinal and biliary tracts, obesity, intestinal bypass, long-term parenteral nutrition, type 2 diabetes mellitus, maldigestion and malabsorption syndrome, celiac enteropathy, Wilson-Konovalov's disease and some other genetically determined diseases, chronic alcohol intoxication some drugs (corticosteroids, estrogens, tetracyclines, etc.), bacterial infections, viruses, systemic diseases and a number of other diseases and conditions (strict vegetarianism, etc.).
From a biochemical point of view, the accumulation of fat in the cytoplasm of hepatocytes occurs when the rate of formation of triglycerides in the liver exceeds the rate of their utilization (lipolysis of triglycerides and subsequent oxidation of fatty acids, inclusion of triglycerides into pre-B-lipoproteins and their secretion into bloodstream). Particularly naturally fatty infiltration of the liver occurs with chronic alcohol and other intoxication, with decompensated diabetes mellitus, obesity, protein deficiency, including alimentary, in case of poisoning with various toxic compounds (carbon tetrachloride, phosphorus, etc.), with a deficiency of lipotropic substances, for example, caused by exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, etc. One of the most common disorders of fat metabolism with excessive accumulation of fat in the liver is ketosis - increased formation of ketone bodies as a result of impaired metabolism and their accumulation in tissues in decompensated type 2 diabetes mellitus. Fatty degeneration of the liver is often combined with gallbladder dyskinesia, especially in the presence of cholelithiasis. It is known that an obese patient is often threatened by a severe progressive pathology, in particular, ischemic disease and its complications, and fatty hepatosis, in principle, is a reversible pathology, if the cause that causes its development is eliminated, and appropriate therapeutic measures are taken. For example, if fatty hepatosis is associated with pregnancy, then only termination of pregnancy, followed by appropriate therapeutic measures, can stop its development and progression. It is this indisputable fact that draws the attention of the doctor, that is, the timely recognition (diagnosis) of fatty hepatosis and possibly more early start adequate treatment. It is important to prevent the development of necrosis and inflammation (steatohepatitis), the treatment of which is much more difficult.
Fat in the liver cells is deposited as a result of:
. Excessive intake of free fatty acids (FFA) into the liver;
. Decrease in the rate of FFA b-oxidation in mitochondria of hepatocytes;
. Excessive formation and absorption of FFA in the intestine;
. Decreased synthesis of lipoproteins of different densities in the liver itself;
. Functional liver failure due to liver disease.
FFAs enter the liver from the small intestine and from adipose tissue. They can also be synthesized in the liver itself. FFAs can be oxidized to form energy, esterified, and incorporated into lipoproteins. In healthy individuals, they form the energy potential of hepatocytes, thereby ensuring the functioning of hepatocytes and the liver as a whole. Of course, in alcoholism, fatty hepatosis is always manifested by impaired FFA metabolism, but it is difficult to exclude the influence of other factors on it, and it is extremely difficult to assess the contribution of each of them to the development of fatty hepatosis. For example, excess fat in diet can also be considered as a risk for the development of fatty hepatosis, especially in combination with a deficiency of protein foods, tk. It has been proven that an unbalanced diet in combination with alcohol intoxication is always accompanied by the development of fatty hepatosis, a decrease in glycogen and macroergic phosphorus compounds in the liver, and, in general, a decrease in all liver functions. It is also known that non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, which is closely associated with obesity, is often accompanied by the development of fatty hepatosis, tk. overweight individuals are characterized by reduced sensitivity of peripheral receptors to insulin in combination with high level insulin in the blood.
Factors contributing to the development of fatty hepatosis also include: some drugs (glucocorticoids, tetracyclines, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, etc.), digestive disorders (maldigestion syndrome) and absorption (malabsorption syndrome), bacterial overgrowth syndrome (excessive microbial colonization) in small intestine. Moderately expressed fatty degeneration of hepatocytes accompanies many diseases and intoxications. In particular, almost all chronic viral hepatitis, especially hepatitis C, are often accompanied by fatty degeneration of the liver. In the development of fatty hepatosis, a genetic predisposition is also not excluded.
Clinic and diagnostics
Despite the fact that with fatty hepatosis the functional state of the liver will certainly decrease, it is almost impossible to confirm these disorders using traditional laboratory tests. Taking into account the etiology, patients often have certain subjective and objective symptoms associated with the underlying disease. For example, fatty degeneration of the liver, which has developed in connection with chronic alcohol intoxication, is often characterized by anorexia, shortness of breath and other symptoms. The clinical course of fatty liver itself is usually asymptomatic. Sometimes there are complaints in patients of heaviness and discomfort in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen, aggravated by movement. Palpation pain in the liver is rare. Its occurrence is associated with the rapid accumulation of fat in the liver due to alcoholism and decompensation of diabetes mellitus. The liver with fatty hepatosis is often enlarged. Much depends on the background pathology. With ultrasound, the echogenicity of the liver tissue in fatty hepatosis is often normal and sometimes elevated, but these changes are difficult to distinguish from fibrosis and even cirrhosis of the liver. Only computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging can in some cases reveal fatty infiltration of the liver. With the help of these methods, focal fatty infiltration of the liver is better recognized. With ultrasound, foci are determined in the form of areas of increased echogenicity, with CT, areas with a low absorption coefficient are detected. But even in these situations, the diagnosis is confirmed only by targeted liver biopsy under CT control. The lesions change over time and even disappear, and therefore, if these studies are carried out in dynamics, especially during treatment, their possible disappearance is not excluded, which may have diagnostic value. In this regard, it is possible to confirm the presence of increased accumulation of fat in the liver only by histological examination of biopsy specimens. When liver sections are stained with hematoxylan and eosin, “empty” vacuoles, a nucleus displaced to the cell periphery, are detected in hepatocytes. If fatty hepatosis occurs against the background of alcohol intoxication, then along with large-drop obesity of hepatocytes, there is pericellular fibrosis (“creeping collagenization” around the central veins), neutrophilic infiltration of the interlobular, and sometimes intralobular (around hepatocytes) sections of the liver, swelling (increase ) hepatocytes, the deposition of Mallory hyaline bodies in them. With fatty hepatosis, an increase in the content of g-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGTP) in the blood serum is naturally noted, which is possibly associated with alcohol consumption. Serum transaminase (ST) and alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity is usually slightly elevated, and bilirubin, albumin, and prothrombin levels are usually normal. fatty liver, which developed against the background of general obesity, is one of the most common causes of increased transaminase activity, and sometimes other manifestations of the so-called metabolic syndrome (hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, etc.). Sometimes fatty degeneration of the liver develops in people for no reason. In any case, when in this situation it is not possible to establish any possible cause its development, it is referred to as a cryptogenic (idiopathic) form.
Treatment and prevention
fatty hepatosis
It is rather difficult to substantiate and systematize the treatment of fatty hepatosis with such a variety of causes that cause it. Therapy should be aimed at eliminating the causes, at stopping the syndromes of impaired digestion and absorption, at restoring the function of the liver and biliary system. This excludes the use of certain drugs and alcohol abuse.
If a etiological factor eliminated, course and symptomatic treatment is determined, then the patient should be advised to remain under medical supervision for another year, and possibly longer. Every 2 months, health and physical status should be assessed, serum transaminase studies should be repeated once every 3 months, and ultrasound should be performed once every 6 months. Prolong treatment for 1 year or more.
In all cases, it is necessary to carry out non-aggravating therapy with the use of dietary factors and drugs that normalize the function of the liver and biliary system. For this purpose, long-term administration of the drug Gepabene is indicated (1 capsule 3 times a day after meals). This herbal preparation contains silymarin, which improves liver function, and fumarin, which stimulates bile formation and bile secretion, and therefore improves the processes of digestion and absorption of micronutrients - the substances needed and missing by the patient.
In conclusion, it should be noted that in the treatment of patients with fatty hepatosis, the use of essential phospholipids is justified, but statins should not be used, since they do not have a positive effect on the fat content in the liver.

Literature
1) Bueverov A.O. "Fatty Liver: Causes and Consequences". Journal "Practicing doctor", 2002, No. 1, p. 36-38
2) Bluger A.F., Novitsky I.N., Practical hepatology, 1994, p.279-284
3) Sherlock S, Dooley J. Liver disease and biliary tract(translated from English), Moscow, 1999, pp. 486-497.

Fatty infiltration of the liver occurs due to the accumulation of fat in it. Such changes occur for various reasons, among which are the effects of alcohol, certain drugs and other factors. This is a non-dangerous disease if you start its treatment on time. In the most severe cases, such a liver disease can lead to the death of the patient.

Due to the fact that fatty infiltration is a disease that is associated with the accumulation of fat in the tissues and cells of the liver, due to exposure to toxic substances, the diagnosis of this disease has its own specifics.

Symptoms

In the first stages, the patient will not feel pronounced symptoms, since minor changes in the liver will occur. But after the first symptoms appear, it is better to immediately contact a specialist.

Fat infiltration has the following symptoms:

  • first of all, swelling appears throughout the body, the arms and legs become soft, and the abdomen becomes unnaturally rounded;

  • the volume of the liver increases: with its norm of 1.5 kilograms, it can reach 5 kilograms;
  • nausea and vomiting appear, in which appetite disappears;
  • body temperature may rise;
  • there is pain syndrome, which manifests itself on palpation of the right lower hypochondrium.

Such symptoms are caused by the fact that changes that have occurred in the liver affect the quality of its functions.

Diagnosis, in which fatty infiltration is detected, will be as follows.

  • The first thing the specialist does is conduct an external examination of the patient. This ailment can be detected during an external examination, when puffiness and swelling of the body is observed. In addition, the lower hypochondrium is palpated, and if the liver is enlarged, the doctor will feel it, and the patient will feel pain when pressing on this organ.

  • External diagnosis of the liver is not a confirmation of this diagnosis. In order to determine it, computed tomography or ultrasound is prescribed. In the first case, diffuse changes will be detected. Diffuse changes in the liver are the heterogeneity of its tissues. But such changes do not yet say that the patient may have this disease. Diffuse changes only confirm violations in this organ. In the second case, with the help of ultrasound, changes in this organ are also detected.
  • The most accurate study is a biopsy. It involves taking, using a special needle, samples of liver tissue. Then, during the study, fat cells and deposits in it are detected.

What contributes to this disease, and its treatment

It is important to know that this disease in the early stages does not have serious consequences, because with proper treatment within a month, the body will fully recover and begin to perform its functions in full.

The reasons

Having understood what a fatty infiltration is, you need to pay special attention to what causal factors contribute to its development.

Doctors have clearly established the factors contributing to the development of this disease:

  • the very first is the abuse of alcoholic beverages, this is due to the fact that alcohol destroys the cells of this organ, and its periodic use does not allow them to recover, as a result of which they are replaced by adipose tissue;
  • the following are various diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (gastrointestinal tract), diabetes mellitus and other chronic diseases;
  • this disease manifests itself after pesticide poisoning or the use of a large number of drugs;

  • this ailment is often found in pregnant women, and in those who practice frequent hunger;
  • people who are diagnosed with obesity are also susceptible to this disease.

It is these factors that cause changes in this organ.

Treatment

Treatment is complex and is divided into two main stages.

  • The first stage of treatment takes place according to the type of elimination of the cause of the appearance of this disease. For example, if it is caused by the systematic use of alcohol, then you must first completely abandon it. If this is caused by diseases, then these diseases are treated, and then the work of this organ is restored.

  • The second stage of treatment takes place according to the type of restoration of the organ itself. After eliminating the causes of fatty infiltration, a course of rehabilitation treatment is prescribed. The very first thing is diet, as the liver begins to repair itself, regenerating damaged cells. Drug treatment is recommended (for example, Gepabene). In the most severe cases, injections of medications with a stronger effect may be prescribed.

In general, the most important treatment is a diet that allows you to reduce the load on this organ and give it the opportunity to begin to recover.

It is important to know that with untimely treatment of this disease, the patient may die, since the liver will never be able to recover, and the organ itself will cease to function.

This disease is primarily caused by chronic alcohol consumption. If it is not treated in time, then it can turn into cirrhosis or cause the death of the patient by the failure of this organ.

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