Fatty degeneration of the liver

Fatty degeneration of the liver or fatty hepatosis is a reversible dystrophic disease in which an abnormal accumulation of lipids occurs in the liver cells. Reversibility of the disease is possible with the timely detection of factors that cause metabolic disorders, and the termination of their effects. After some time after this pathological deposits of fat from the liver disappear.

Causes of fatty liver disease

Entering into the body fats are split in the intestines with the help of enzymes and then with blood flow into the liver, where they transform into triglycides, phospholipids and other substances necessary for the body. With fatty liver dystrophy, triglycerides (neutral fats) accumulate in the liver cells, the content of which can reach 50% (normally not more than 5%).

The causes of this metabolic disorder are different, but the most common are:

• alcohol abuse (ethyl alcohol and its breakdown products have a strong influence on all stages of decomposition of fats in the liver);
• Obesity and excessive intake of fat with food, in which the liver simply does not have time to process them;
• diabetes mellitus ;
• protein deficiency (Kwashiorkor's syndrome);
• poisoning with hepatotropic poisons (toxic hepatic dystrophy);
• Other factors that negatively affect fat metabolism;

Symptoms of fatty liver

The course of the disease is slowly progressing, with erased symptoms. Usually patients do not present any complaints for a long time. As the disease progresses, there are constant dull pains in the right upper quadrant, nausea, vomiting, stool disruption, general weakness and fatigue with exercise may occur.

In rare cases, fatty degeneration of the liver is observed with pronounced signs:

• severe abdominal pain;
• bloating;
• jaundice;
• itching.

Treatment of fatty liver disease

Specific treatment of this disease does not exist. Treatment usually reduces to eliminating the factors that caused the disease, correction of metabolism, detoxification and improving liver function. Also, an important role in the treatment is changing the lifestyle of the patient and adherence to their diet.

Diet for fatty liver disease

Patients with this disease are shown diet number 5 - one of the 15 main therapeutic diets with protein content of about 100-120 grams per day, low fat content and high content of plant fibers, pectins, lipotropic substances. The diet should be divided, 5-6 times a day. Products boil or bake, less often stew. Fried food and alcohol are contraindicated. Also from the diet should be deleted:

• fatty meat and fish;
• goose and duck meat;
• fat;
• sausages;
• Smoked meat and spicy food;
• canned food;
• puff pastry;
• fat cheese;
• beans.

Butter and sour cream can be consumed in small quantities. Salt consumption is limited to 10 grams per day.

Medicamentous treatment of fatty liver dystrophy

In the treatment of this disease, antioxidant and membrane stabilizing drugs are usually used. Among the drugs, improving the work of the liver, today one of the most effective is Heptral. It is involved in the restoration of destroyed cell membranes, stimulates the formation of proteins in the liver, prevents the oxidation of fats. This drug is prescribed not only for fatty hepatosis, but also for hepatitis, and even cirrhosis. Among other medicines in the treatment of such diseases are widely used:

• Essentiale ;
• Phosphogliv;
• Karsil;
• Hofitol.