Steatosis of the liver is a companion of excessive weight

The pathological condition of the liver, conditionedmetabolic disorders and nutrition, in which the accumulation of fatty inclusions, as well as droplets of fat in hepatocytes, is called steatosis of the liver or "fatty liver". Steatosis of the liver ("steatosis hepatis", Greek.) Can be both an independent disease, and the character of the syndrome. If more than 5% of the mass of the liver is fat, it is called fat.

The pathogenesis of this disease has not been studied enough. The main reasons underlying its occurrence are: excessive intake of free fatty acids, enhanced synthesis and esterification of fatty acids, reduced oxidation and reduced protein synthesis, as well as impaired secretion of lipoproteins.

The main etiologic factors include: toxic effects on the liver, endocrine and metabolic disorders, nutritional imbalances and hypoxia. A special place among the toxic factors belongs to alcohol and food imbalance, the role of other toxic factors is less significant. The degree of dystrophic changes and the rapidity of its development, the higher the greater the amount of alcohol consumed. Sometimes drug steatosis of the liver develops, for example, when treated with antibiotics, tuberculostatic drugs, corticosteroids and cytostatics. The main endocrine and metabolic disorders include diabetes, thyroid gland pathology, Itenko-Cushing syndrome and general obesity.

Steatosis of the liver: symptoms.

There are two main types of morphologicalsigns of excessive accumulation of fat in the liver: microscopic and macroscopic accumulation. Large-droplet, or macroscopic, accumulation is characteristic of alcoholism, obesity and the second type of diabetes mellitus. The severity of steatosis of this type corresponds to an increase in the total body weight, and when it decreases (starvation or a low-calorie diet), this indicator also decreases, and the liver functions return to normal.

The course of this disease is usually long,the periods of relative remission are replaced by periods of exacerbation, which are most often provoked by physical or mental overexertion, infections and alcohol intake. Most often the disease is asymptomatic, but some patients feel heaviness and overflow in the right hypochondrium, perepumpal or abdominal region of the abdomen, its swelling and intolerance of fatty foods. The most affected by the steatosis of the liver are women who have an increased body weight. Diagnosis of this disease is carried out using ultrasound, magnetic resonance and computed tomography. In addition, biochemical blood tests are performed, the final diagnosis is established after a puncture liver biopsy.

Steatosis of the liver: treatment.

Patients with a diagnosis of steatosis of the liver are prescribeda strict diet, in which proteins predominate and fats are limited. In addition, preparations are prescribed to improve the metabolism of fats (folic acid, vitamin B12, choline chloride, lipoic acid). Also prescribed are the administration of liver drugs, such as rybazon, progepar and sireppar, as well as sufficient physical activity.

Prevention of steatosis of the liver.

Most often, this disease occurs whenexcessive consumption of animal fats, as well as in violation of protein metabolism, so an important measure for the prevention of steatosis of the liver is a balanced diet. Also for the prevention of steatosis, an additional intake of antioxidants and supplements is recommended, which have detoxification properties. In addition, it is necessary not to allow long-term digestive disorders, and without waiting for complications, they should be treated correctly and in a timely manner.