Hepatosis is damage to the liver that results from a back-up of bile. This causes the bile ducts to swell, leading to other symptoms such as jaundice. The causes can be manifold. Often, drug treatment responds well.
What is hepatosis?
By hepatosis, physicians mean an allergic-toxic reaction of the bile that leads to subsequent damage to the liver. In this case, the bile ducts become blocked, and the bile juice backs up. As a result, degenerative changes occur in the liver tissue. These are accompanied by symptoms such as obesity, jaundice, fever and a general feeling of illness. In many cases, hepatosis is triggered by taking certain medications. Alternatively, however, alcohol abuse or permanent malnutrition may also be responsible. If hepatosis is detected in time, it can be treated well in most cases. However, if left untreated, it can severely damage the liver, leading to cirrhosis and, in the worst case, even death.
Causes
In most cases, hepatosis is caused by taking certain medications. Medications that affect the patient’s state of mind are particularly prominent in this regard. These include psychotropic drugs, neuroleptics and antidepressants. But also some antibiotics can be the reason for the development of hepatosis, as well as antidiabetics or diuretics. In the past, arsenic compounds were often the cause of hepatosis, but this is much less common today. Estrogens administered to hereditarily predisposed women can cause hepatosis. Last but not least, alcohol abuse or long-term malnutrition can also be responsible for damage to the liver. Metabolic disorders, especially so-called storage diseases, can also promote the development of hepatosis.
Symptoms, complaints, and signs
Hepatosis can manifest itself through various symptoms. Typical for the disease is a bile stasis, which is manifested by the symptoms of jaundice. This may be accompanied by an unusual itching of the skin. Those affected often suffer from obesity and also experience a general feeling of illness. The feeling of malaise is intensified by fever. The typical fever symptoms already occur in the first stages of the disease and increase in intensity as the disease progresses. Furthermore, hepatosis can cause gastrointestinal complaints such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation and stomach cramps. The digestive problems usually cause further discomfort and relatively quickly lead to fatigue, dizziness and a general decrease in well-being. In chronic disease, there is extreme weight gain. If hepatosis is suspected, medical examination and treatment is indicated in any case. Otherwise, serious complications may occur. Untreated liver disease initially has a negative impact on the patient’s quality of life. The itching spreads to the entire body and also causes redness. The patient’s ability to cope with stress is greatly reduced by hepatosis. In most cases, affected individuals are no longer able to perform physical activities.
Diagnosis and course
If hepatosis is suspected, a physician should be consulted. He or she can make an initial diagnosis on the basis of the symptoms and a detailed discussion, taking into account the patient’s medical history and circumstances. This is substantiated with the aid of a blood test. It should be noted, however, that the regular liver values in hepatosis often remain within the normal range. Instead, the values of alkaline phosphatase, an enzyme, and also of the bile pigment bilirubin are significantly elevated, which clearly proves the presence of hepatosis. If the liver damage remains untreated, it can progress further and lead to liver cirrhosis in its later stages. This end-stage of liver disease gradually limits the function of the liver to the point of complete failure. Cirrhosis of the liver is potentially fatal.
Complications
Hepatosis causes severe damage to the liver. However, the complications and symptoms cannot be predicted in general. In most cases, the patient suffers from jaundice. This has an extremely negative effect on the patient’s quality of life and daily routine.Furthermore, there is also a so-called bile stasis and the formation of itching on the entire body. As a result, the skin is reddened and the patient himself also suffers from irritability. It is also not uncommon for obesity to occur, resulting in relatively severe weight gain. The affected person also shows high fever and suffers from a general feeling of illness and fatigue. The patient’s resilience also decreases enormously due to the hepatosis and it is no longer possible for the patient to perform physical activities or sports. The treatment of hepatosis does not usually lead to complications. This takes place with the help of medication and leads relatively quickly to a positive course of the disease. If the hepatosis is due to alcohol addiction, withdrawal is usually required.
When should one go to the doctor?
A doctor should be consulted at the first sign of hepatosis. If symptoms such as itching, fever or a general feeling of illness are suddenly noticed, this must be taken to a doctor in the next few days. If signs of jaundice are added, a specialist must be consulted immediately. High fever or an increasing feeling of illness are also clear warning signs that must be clarified immediately. If the aforementioned complaints rapidly increase in intensity, immediate clarification by a physician is indicated. The patient should go to the nearest hospital or the affected person must be taken to the hospital. People who are receiving medication for another condition are particularly susceptible to hepatosis. So are people suffering from a genetic disease and women who regularly take hormones. Alcoholics and people who generally have unhealthy lifestyles are also among the risk groups and should consult a doctor quickly if they experience any of the symptoms mentioned. At the latest when complications such as pain in the area of the liver, high fever and cardiovascular complaints are noticed, immediate diagnosis and treatment by a specialist is indicated. In addition to the primary care physician, a specialist in internal medicine may be consulted for hepatosis.
Treatment and therapy
If hepatosis has been clearly diagnosed after comprehensive examinations, the treating physician can initiate appropriate therapy. In principle, hepatosis is a disease that can be treated well and, with appropriate treatment, resolves within a few weeks. If it was triggered by taking medication, the respective drugs should be discontinued as soon as possible. If possible, they should not be taken again in the future, so that hepatosis does not occur again. Temporarily, cortisone-containing drugs can also be administered to facilitate the healing of the liver tissue. If the hepatosis is due to alcohol abuse, alcohol therapy is strongly advised, because regeneration of the liver can only be achieved by permanent abstinence. If malnutrition leads to hepatosis, it is essential to change eating habits and lifestyle, if necessary under medical supervision. In this way, liver tissue can regenerate and progression of damage can be prevented.
Outlook and prognosis
Statistically, hepatosis takes a good course in most cases. That the liver stores fats does not immediately lead to severe damage. Specialized physicians can treat disease very well, especially in the early stages. However, cases related to the consumption of alcohol are not infrequently problematic. Often, despite treatment, people cannot let go of their addiction and constantly expose the ailing liver to new damage. Destruction of liver cells occurs. If it progresses further, organ failure is possible. Death is then imminent. Everyone can do something to prevent the disease. It is necessary to eliminate harmful factors, which implies a favorable prognosis even after past disease. It has been proven that moderate alcohol consumption helps to keep the liver healthy. A balanced diet rich in fiber can also protect the body from the typical symptoms of hepatosis. Regular physical activity boosts the recovery of mutated cells. Appropriate activities should be performed regularly, especially after an initial successful treatment.This is a preventive measure to ensure that the degeneration of liver cells into fatty tissue does not recur.
Prevention
Hepatosis can be prevented in some cases by adjusting lifestyle habits accordingly. Moderate consumption of alcohol and a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet and adequate exercise can be helpful in maintaining liver health and ensuring optimal function of the organ. If the first signs of hepatosis appear, it is advisable to consult a doctor immediately. Once diagnosed, he or she can initiate therapy to ensure that the disease resolves quickly and without any consequential damage to the affected person.
Aftercare
Aftercare plays a subordinate to no role after a successfully treated hepatosis. This is mainly due to the fact that the disease can usually be completely cured. In this case, given the absence of symptoms, there are no obligatory appointments to attend. If, on the other hand, the changes in the liver cells become chronic, other far-reaching diseases develop, such as hepatitis and liver cirrhosis. These exceed the symptoms of hepatosis and lead to further symptoms that can even be fatal. If there is a follow-up, it is done by the patient. The latter has previously been informed by his treating physician about an adjustment of his lifestyle. Alcohol or drug abuse as well as malnutrition must be stopped. In severe cases, it is not easy for the patient to give up the addictive substances to which he is accustomed. A therapy, which can also be ordered several times, helps to combat the actual causes of the hepatosis. The progress of the disease can be monitored by blood sampling and sonography. However, these diagnostic procedures are only used if symptoms persist. Healed hepatosis does not lead to immunity. Incorrect lifestyle habits can cause the liver to become diseased again at any time. Follow-up care is then aimed at fundamentally reshaping the patient’s daily routine.
Here’s what you can do yourself
Hepatosis can often be treated by those affected themselves. If the complaints are based on an incorrect diet, a change in eating habits should be sought under medical supervision. This and a generally healthy lifestyle with sufficient exercise and the avoidance of stress can help the liver tissue to regenerate well and prevent the progression of hepatosis. If the liver damage is the result of alcoholism, alcohol consumption must be stopped. In addition, therapy is advisable. Only through permanent abstinence can regeneration of the liver be achieved in the long term. In addition, the doctor will prescribe various drugs such as prednisone, which should lead to rapid swelling of the liver. Depending on the severity of the hepatosis, various homeopathic remedies are also available for supportive treatment. Which preparations are suitable should be discussed with the doctor in charge. If a drug is causative, it must be discontinued as soon as possible. Subsequently, the progression of hepatosis can be counteracted by conservative treatment methods and a healthy lifestyle. In severe cases, undetected hepatosis can lead to circulatory collapse and ultimately death. First responders should immediately notify emergency medical services and, meanwhile, sedate and resuscitate the affected person if necessary.
