Learn how the new prebiotic soluble fibers benefit bowel health and many GI disorders
The Liver
The liver is the largest organ in the body. It is found high in the
right upper abdomen, behind the ribs. It is a very complex organ and
has many functions. They include:
- Storing energy in the form of sugar (glucose)
- Storing vitamins, iron, and other minerals
- Making proteins, including blood clotting factors, to keep the body healthy and help it grow
- Processing worn out red blood cells
- Making bile which is needed for food digestion
- Metabolizing or breaking down many medications and alcohol
- Killing germs that enter the body through the intestine
The liver shoulders a heavy workload for the body and almost never complains. It even has a remarkable power to regenerate itself. Still it should not be taken for granted. Certain conditions that develop, such as fatty liver and steatohepatitis, may be signs of liver injury that can lead to permanent liver damage.
What is Fatty Liver?
Fatty liver is just what its name suggests: the build-up of fat in
the liver cells. Although this is not a normal condition, fat in the
liver usually causes no damage by itself. However, on some occasions
it can be a sign that other more harmful conditions are at work.
Fatty liver may be associated with or may lead to inflammation of the
liver. This can cause scarring and hardening of the liver. When
scarring becomes extensive, it is called cirrhosis, and this is a
very serious condition. Therefore, it is important that a physician
thoroughly examine a patient with fat in the liver.
Cause
It would seem logical that eating fatty foods would cause a fatty
liver, but this is not the case. The liver does play an important
role in the metabolism or breakdown of fats. Something goes wrong in
this process of metabolism, but it is still not known what does cause
fat to build-up in the liver. It is known that fat accumulates in the
liver with a number of conditions. The most common is obesity. Fatty
liver is also associated with diabetes mellitus, high blood
triglycerides, and the heavy use of alcohol. It may occur with
certain illnesses such as tuberculosis and malnutrition, intestinal
bypass surgery for obesity, excess vitamin A in the body, or the use
of certain drugs such as valproic acid (trade names:
Depakene/Depakote) and corticosteroids (cortisone, prednisone).
Sometimes fatty liver occurs as a complication of pregnancy.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
There are usually no symptoms that are noticeable to the patient. In
fact, fatty liver is frequently uncovered during a routine physical
examination. There may be a rise in certain liver enzymes found in
the blood, and sometimes the liver is slightly enlarged. Fatty liver
may also be discovered while the physician is evaluating a patient
for other illnesses. For example, an ultrasound exam of the abdomen
done for other reasons may show fat in the liver. To be certain of a
diagnosis of fatty liver, the physician may recommend a liver biopsy.
Under local anesthesia, a slender needle is inserted through the
right lower chest. A small piece of liver tissue is taken out with
the needle and examined under a microscope.
What is Steatohepatitis?
The term hepatitis means inflammation of and damage to the liver
cells. Steato (pronounced stee-at´-toe) refers to fat.
Therefore, steatohepatitis is inflammation of the liver related to
fat accumulation. Heavy alcohol use can lead to fatty liver and
inflammation, usually called alcoholic hepatitis. Steatohepatitis
resembles alcoholic hepatitis, but it can and does occur in people
who seldom or never drink alcohol. In this instance, it is often
called nonalcoholic steatohepatitis or NASH. Both alcoholic hepatitis
and steatohepatitis can lead to serious liver damage and cirrhosis.
Studies have shown that many people who are significantly overweight have developed, or will develop, steatohepatitis. It can also occur with rapid weight loss. Steatohepatitis has been connected to estrogen hormones in some women. In the case of diabetes mellitus, researchers believe steatohepatitis may develop only in those patients whose diabetes is not properly controlled.
Treatment
In most instances, treatment of fatty liver and steatohepatitis
requires control of the underlying conditions. This may include
reduction of high blood triglycerides, good control of diabetes, or
not drinking alcohol. In some cases, surgical reversal of intestinal
bypass for obesity is required.
Since being overweight is by far the most critical factor, weight loss is the key to ridding the liver of fat. This is especially necessary if damage to the liver is occurring, and early signs of scarring are present on biopsy. High blood triglycerides and diabetes are also worse with obesity. So, when steatohepatitis is present with these conditions, people gain even greater benefits from losing weight. Losing weight can be difficult. However, it must be done because the alternative may be eventual cirrhosis and the need for a liver transplant.
Currently, studies are underway on certain drugs such as Actigall. This drug appears to reduce liver damage in cases of steatohepatitis. At this time, however, it is not certain how helpful these drugs will be. To repeat the point, losing weight is by far the most important treatment.
Liver Transplantation
Liver transplantation is now an accepted form of treatment for
chronic, severe liver damage. Advances in surgical techniques and the
use of new drugs to suppress rejection have dramatically improved the
success rate. Steatohepatitis is one of the more uncommon reasons for
a liver transplant. However, every transplant center does a few each
year as a result of this disease. Survival rates at transplant
centers are well over 90% with a good quality of life after recovery.
Summary
Fatty liver is simply the build-up of fat in the liver. Fat in the
liver usually does not cause liver damage. However, certain other
conditions and diseases can be associated with the development of
fatty liver. Research is ongoing to uncover what processes may take
place to trigger fat build-up in the liver. This condition is usually
reversible when the underlying causes are treated or removed.
Patients who follow the advice of their physicians can expect to
reverse and control a fatty liver or steatohepatitis.
Learn how the new prebiotic soluble fibers benefit bowel health and many GI disorders
Related Diseases
Cirrhosis
Related Diets
Pyramid
Related Procedures
Liver
Biopsy | Liver
Transplant
This material does not cover all information and is not intended as a subsitute for professional care. Please consult with your physician on any matters regarding your health.
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Jackson Siegelbaum Gastroenterology
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