Fatty liver

Fatty liver is a reversible condition wherein large vacuoles of triglyceride fat accumulate in liver cells via the process of steatosis). Despite having multiple causes, fatty liver can be considered a single disease that occurs worldwide in those with excessive alcohol intake and the obese. The condition is also associated with other diseases that influence fat metabolism. When this process of fat metabolism is disrupted, the fat can accumulate in the liver in excessive amounts, thus resulting in a fatty liver.

CAUSES

Fatty liver  is commonly associated with alcohol or metabolic syndrome (diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and dyslipidemia), but can also be due to any one of many causes

Metabolic

abetalipoproteinemia, glycogen storage diseases, Weber-Christian disease, acute fatty liver of pregnancy, lipodystrophy

Nutritional

malnutrition, total parenteral nutrition, severe weight loss, refeeding syndrome, jejunoileal bypass, gastric bypass, jejunal diverticulosiswith bacterial overgrowth

Drugs and toxins

amiodarone, methotrexate, diltiazem, expired tetracycline, highly active anti-retroviral therapy, glucocorticoids, tamoxifen, environmental hepatotoxins (e.g., phosphorus,mushroom poisoning)

Alcoholic

Alcoholism is one of the major cause of fatty liver due to production of toxic metabolites like aldehydes during metabolism of alcohol in the liver. This phenomenon most commonly occurs with chronic alcoholism.

Other

inflammatory bowel disease, HIV, hepatitis C (especially genotype 3), and alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency.

Symptoms

Mild Fatty liver is usually asymptomatic. It is detected incidentally during routine tests performed. However, some persons can have symptoms which are often vague.

• Malaise – or a feeling of severe discomfort, making the person want to rest,
• Fatigue – even with moderate exertion
• Fullness and heaviness in the abdomen, more in the right upper corner
• Occasionally the liver maybe painful on pressure.

However, with fatty liver unchecked can progress into cirrhosis which is life-threatening. Thereafter, features of liver failure present themselves.

• Yellowish discoloration of skin (jaundice), dark colored urine.
• Weight loss
• Nausea and vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Abdominal dissension (due to increased fluid in the abdomen – ascites)
• Poor memory, poor concentration, dullness of thoughts, mental confusion » this is an emergency
• Depression

Homeopathic treatment

Homeopathy improves liver functions and reduces the symptoms as well as modifies the disease process. Homeopathy is recommended for cases of Fatty Liver.