Hepatic Steatosis (fatty Liver): Causes, Symptoms And Types
The liver is one of the most important organs in the body: it is responsible for processing and eliminating waste products to prevent them from accumulating through its participation in processes such as metabolism or immune function. When the activity of the liver is severely affected, the person’s life is at very high risk.
In this article we will talk about The causes, symptoms and types of hepatic steatosis or fatty liver one of the most common disorders of this organ, which predisposes to the appearance of cirrhosis (pathological scarring of the liver) if not adequately treated through lifestyle changes, in particular abstinence from alcohol.
Hepatic steatosis is a disease, often asymptomatic, that consists of the accumulation of fats in the liver cells ; The most common are triglycerides, which are related to atherosclerosis and hypercholesterolemia. The name most used by most people to designate this disorder is “fatty liver.”
It is a reversible disease, since its evolution generally depends on changes in habits and lifestyle, such as adopting a healthy diet or stopping alcohol consumption. Nevertheless, liver steatosis can progress to cirrhosis if it is not managed properly.
The prevalence of this disorder varies greatly depending on the country we are referring to; while in some it is approximately 10%, In many rich countries this figure exceeds 20% of the population In any case, hepatic steatosis is a very common disease, especially in people with obesity.
Hepatic steatosis frequently manifests as an asymptomatic disorder, or only non-specific symptoms appear such as fatigue or discomfort in the belly. This is why many people are not aware that they have this problem if no physical examination detects a characteristic sign: a slight increase in the size of the liver.
Most of the Fatty liver symptoms are associated with inflammation of this organ When this happens, it is common for symptoms to appear such as a feeling of fatigue, physical weakness, confusion, pain in the abdomen, decreased appetite and, consequently, decreased body weight.
The liver has a certain ability to repair itself. This process occurs through the generation of new liver cells that replace the damaged ones. However, if the liver is overstressed, chronic tissue scarring can occur; When steatosis progresses to this point we speak of liver cirrhosis.
Causes of fatty liver
When fats accumulate in excess in the liver, the functioning of this organ is altered; This means that our body cannot correctly eliminate the waste substances that enter our body, especially through what we eat and drink.
Alcohol abuse and dependence are the most common causes of hepatic steatosis, since excessive consumption of this substance causes liver damage. When this is the main causal factor in the appearance of the disease, the terms “alcoholic hepatic steatosis” and “alcoholic fatty liver” are used.
Some of the most relevant risk factors for the appearance of fatty liver are obesity, diets rich in sugars and fats (which can cause type 2 diabetes and hyperlipidemia) and being of advanced age; Most cases occur between 40 and 60 years of age. Genetic inheritance and the consumption of aspirin or steroids are also associated with this disorder.
Generally, cases of fatty liver are classified depending on whether its cause is excessive alcohol consumption or something else. However, there is also a special variant that is worth mentioning: acute hepatic steatosis of pregnancy.
1. Non-alcoholic fatty liver
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease It is generally associated with disorders in the breakdown of fats ; This causes them to accumulate in the liver. The basic criterion used to diagnose this variant of fatty liver is that at least 10% of the tissue of this organ is made up of lipids.
2. Alcoholic fatty liver
Alcoholism damages liver cells and interferes with their functioning; this includes the breakdown of lipids. If, once alcoholic hepatic steatosis is detected, alcohol consumption continues, it is very likely that the disorder will evolve into cirrhosis; instead, After about two months of abstinence, steatosis subsides
3. Acute and associated with pregnancy
This type of hepatic steatosis is a rare complication that appears in the third trimester of pregnancy. Symptoms tend to disappear after childbirth, and include a feeling of general malaise, pain in the upper abdomen, nausea and vomiting, and jaundice, which consists of yellowing of the skin and mucous membranes.
