Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Hepatic steatosis (or fatty liver) is a disease characterized by the accumulation of fat in liver cells. It is caused mainly by food intake too rich in lipids, or often chronic consumption of alcohol and can progress to cirrhosis. Hence the importance of taking care of it properly.

Causes

Several factors are associated with fatty liver disease:

Obesity, of course, but also diabetes, hyperlipidemia, the alcohol poisoning, pregnancy or the metabolic syndrome (hypertension, diabetes, Hypercholesterolemia). The surgery abdominal and taking certain medications such as corticosteroids or anti-retroviral drugs can also foster the emergence of a non-fatty liver alcoholic. As insecticides such as DDT, the deficiencies in protein or a quick loss of weight.

Symptoms

In the vast majority of cases, hepatic steatosis is not responsible for any symptoms: we speak of asymptomatic disease. On a smaller scale, we can meet:

• A liver increased in volume;
• A feeling of discomfort in the abdomen opposite the liver
• The sensitivity of the liver during palpation.
• Nausea, vomiting.

Diagnostic

The diagnosis of hepatic steatosis is made by palpation, which reveals hepatomegaly and liver imaging. Ultrasound, or even CT scan, can identify lipid deposits in the organ. A blood test will often be added to check if liver damage has started, and will be regularly monitored to diagnose a possible early progression to the cirrhosis stage.

Treatment

Treatments can treat the causes of steatosis and support each event: recommending a diet and regular physical activity in case of obesity, diabetes treatment (our diabetes case) and cholesterol our cholesterol dossier, suppression of the drug in question, management of excessive consumption of alcohol, etc.

If the patient has diabetes, his treatment will be adjusted, and his glycemic control strengthened. Alcohol should be banned from the pain of rapid progression to cirrhosis. Foods rich in fat should as much as possible be reduced or even removed from the diet. If steatosis is due to taking certain medications, this intake will be suspended.