The medical term steatohepatitis is used by physicians to describe fatty liver. This occurs due to the fact that unhealthy lifestyle habits boost fat production to such an extent that the fats produced are deposited in the liver cells. However, steatohepatitis is relatively easy to reverse.
What is steatohepatitis?
Infographic on the anatomy and structure of the liver. Click to enlarge. In steatohepatitis, the treating physician refers to a fatty liver. A distinction is made primarily between alcoholic and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. In most cases, with a few changes in lifestyle, fatty liver can be reversed. The medical profession divides steatohepatitis into three degrees. Grade 1 is a mild fatty liver, where less than one-third of the cells store fats. Grade 2 is a moderate fatty liver, in which about two-thirds of the liver cells are filled with fat. If the patient suffers from grade 3 fatty liver, the fatty degeneration already affects more than two-thirds.
Causes
Many, relatively different, causes come into question. First, the physician distinguishes whether it is an alcoholic or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. In the case of excessive alcohol consumption, the active substances damage the liver cells, such as the cell membrane. If non-alcoholic fatty liver exists, the cause is often metabolic syndrome. This means that diabetes mellitus type II, severe obesity or drugs, such as toxins, are probably responsible for steatohepatitis. Rare diseases such as Wilson’s disease can also sometimes cause fatty liver. A protein deficient diet can be another cause of steatohepatitis. There is also a condition called gestational fatty liver. This rarely occurs but requires immediate medical attention, as this condition often involves serious liver damage. Why pregnancy liver develops has not yet been clarified.
Symptoms, complaints and signs
Steatohepatitis (fatty liver inflammation) is often a serious condition characterized by typical symptoms of severe digestive disturbance. This is the case when it is a chronic active hepatitis. In this case, there is severe upper abdominal discomfort, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, weight loss, fatigue, exhaustion and easy fatigue. Sometimes fever occurs. During the course of the disease, yellowing of the skin and eyes is also frequently observed. The stool turns light in color and the urine dark. This is an unmistakable sign of jaundice. Water may accumulate in the abdomen (ascites). In contrast, the chronic persistent form of steatohepatitis is milder than chronic active fatty liver disease. Often, there are no symptoms at all in this case. Fatty liver inflammation develops on the basis of a fatty liver that initially shows no or only minor symptoms. Only nonspecific complaints such as pressure and a feeling of fullness in the upper abdomen and mild pain when pressure is applied may occur. In some people, fatty liver then leads to inflammation. If fatty liver inflammation is not treated, it can lead to serious complications. Because liver tissue is constantly being broken down during inflammation, cirrhosis often develops and is often fatal. In cirrhosis, the symptoms of steatohepatitis intensify even more. Furthermore, bleeding from varices (varicose veins) can occur in the esophagus and stomach, sometimes even leading to bleeding to death.
Diagnosis and course
The physician often makes the diagnosis with the help of the patient’s medical history. Likewise, he performs physical examinations so that he can determine whether any causes are due to eating habits or because of alcohol-related factors. A symptom of fatty liver is the severe enlargement of the organ, so that the doctor can palpate it – through the abdominal wall – without any problems. Enlargement of the liver is confirmed by sonography (ultrasound). However, sonography cannot tell us why a fatty liver has developed. Furthermore, the blood count also provides information as to whether elevated liver values are present and whether it is therefore possible to speak of a fatty liver.Another way to make the diagnosis is to remove liver tissue – a so-called liver biopsy. Here, the physician can determine whether the disease is steatohepatitis or whether the liver is inflamed or carries other diseases. The further course of the disease also depends on the degree of fatty degeneration. As a rule, fatty liver can be cured relatively easily with the help of dietary changes or abstinence from alcohol. If the patient maintains his lifestyle or does not abstain from harmful substances, irreparable damage to the liver is inevitable. Further diseases, such as cirrhosis of the liver or even complete organ failure, are possible and sometimes bring life-threatening consequences.
Complications
People who have steotohepatitis usually suffer from chronic abdominal pain and loss of appetite. Lack of appetite can lead to other complications in the long run. For example, fatty liver hepatitis patients are repeatedly affected by dehydration and deficiency symptoms. In the most severe cases, dehydration occurs, which is associated with impaired consciousness and can be fatal if not treated. If the patient maintains his lifestyle despite all the complaints, irreparable damage to the liver, kidneys and heart occurs. This results in further diseases, for example cirrhosis of the liver or liver failure. In any case, liver damage has life-threatening consequences. Further complications depend on the underlying disease. For example, if the steohepatitis is due to diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular problems, impotence and other complications may occur. In the long term, obesity has negative effects on the entire body and is usually also associated with reduced life expectancy. Drug treatment of fatty liver hepatitis can cause the typical symptoms: Gastrointestinal problems, skin irritation, headache, muscle and limb pain, and immune system dysfunction. Prolonged medication can cause further damage to the internal organs.
When should you see a doctor?
The person affected by steatohepatitis is definitely in need of treatment by a doctor. If left untreated, it can lead to severe complications and, in the worst case, even death of the affected person, so treatment by a doctor is necessary for this disease. In this regard, a doctor must be consulted at the first signs of fatty liver. The earlier steatohepatitis is detected and treated, the better the further course of the disease. A doctor should be consulted if the affected person suffers from severe nausea or vomiting. In many cases, there is also a loss of appetite or severe pain in the upper abdomen. Furthermore, a persistent fever also indicates the disease and should be examined by a physician if the fever cannot be treated by self-help measures. If the disease is not treated, jaundice may also occur. The contact persons are the family doctor or an internist. Further treatment depends on the exact symptoms.
Treatment and therapy
The physician decides the treatment and therapy according to why the steatohepatitis has developed. In the first place, therefore, the basic disease must be determined; in further framework, a change of lifestyle is suggested. Those who have consumed a lot of fatty foods or alcohol should refrain from doing so. It is mainly important that – especially in the case of alcoholic fatty liver – alcohol is completely eliminated from one’s life for a relatively long period of time. Only in this way can the liver regenerate itself. If the steatohepatitis is due to poisoning or medication, it is advisable to avoid these substances. If the cause is obesity or diabetes mellitus, it is advisable for the patient to reduce his weight and have his blood sugar readjusted or improved. In this way, fatty liver can sometimes be reversed.
Prevention
Steatohepatitis may very well be prevented and prevented. For example, those who abstain from alcohol curb the risk of developing alcoholic steatohepatitis. Also, people who carry immense excess weight should reduce weight to prevent steatohepatitis.It is mainly advisable that the person pays attention to a healthy diet, does enough sports and has regular check-ups. In this way, even at the first small signs, one can fight the fatty liver and positively counteract against further progression of the disease.
Follow-up
In most cases, there are very few and also very limited measures of direct aftercare available to the person affected by steatohepatitis. For this reason, a physician should ideally be consulted very early in the course of this disease, so that other complications or complaints do not arise in the further course. There is usually no self-healing, although early diagnosis can always have a positive effect on the further course of the disease. Most of those affected are dependent on a change in diet. A doctor can also draw up a diet plan, which should be followed in any case. Likewise, a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet can have a very positive effect on the further course of this disease. Those affected should avoid alcohol and very fatty and sweet foods in particular. In general, overweight and diabetes should also be avoided. Often, regular check-ups and examinations with a doctor are also very important to monitor the current condition of this disease. Possibly, the disease reduces the life expectancy of the affected person if it is not detected and treated in time.
This is what you can do yourself
Reduced calorie intake helps with steatohepatitis, and reducing carbohydrates is important. A low-fat diet with little animal protein is recommended. Foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, L-carnitine, and also probiotics may be valuable. In general, regular exercise is also considered useful. This is because exercise increases the metabolic rate. This helps to reduce elevated blood fat levels and supports liver function. Sports such as swimming, jogging or walking make sense. In addition, sugar intake should be minimized. Fatty and fried foods, as well as strongly spiced foods, should be avoided at all costs. Alcohol and smoking should be avoided, as this puts a lot of stress on the liver. There are also foods that can reduce fat accumulation in the liver. Dandelion, for example, acts as a liver tonic. Dandelion promotes liver function and stimulates liver detoxification by helping to metabolize accumulated toxins. Licorice root can aid the healing process by lowering transaminase activities from the enzymes AST and ALT. However, one of the most impressive foods against steatohepatitis is apple cider vinegar. It helps to remove the accumulated fat from the liver. In addition to proven home remedies and a healthy diet, it is especially important to drink enough fresh water. This helps prevent liver overload by eliminating more toxins.
