According to Abbreviationfinder, hepatosis is damage to the liver caused by a backlog of bile. The bile ducts swell and lead to other symptoms such as jaundice. The causes can be varied. Drug treatment often works well.
What is hepatosis?
Physicians understand hepatosis as an allergic-toxic reaction of the bile, which leads to subsequent damage to the liver.
The bile ducts become blocked and the bile sap builds up. This leads to degenerative changes 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, alcohol abuse or permanent malnutrition can 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 and lead to liver cirrhosis and, in the worst case, even death.
Causes
In most cases, hepatosis is caused by taking certain medications. Drugs that affect the patient’s state of mind are particularly important in this respect.
These include psychotropic drugs, neuroleptics and antidepressants. But some antibiotics can also be the reason for the development of hepatosis, as well as antidiabetics or diuretics. In the past, it was often arsenic compounds that triggered hepatosis; this is much less common these days.
Estrogens given to women with a genetic disorder can cause hepatosis. Last but not least, alcohol abuse or long-term malnutrition can also be responsible for liver damage. Metabolic disorders, especially so-called storage diseases, can also promote the development of hepatosis.
Symptoms, Ailments & Signs
Hepatosis can manifest itself through a variety of symptoms. Typical of the disease is bile congestion, which becomes noticeable through the symptoms of jaundice. This can be accompanied by an unusual itching sensation on the skin. Those affected often suffer from obesity and also feel a general feeling of illness.
The malaise is intensified by fever. The typical fever symptoms appear in the first stages of the disease and increase in intensity as the disease progresses. Hepatosis can also cause gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation and stomach cramps. The digestive problems usually cause further complaints and lead relatively quickly to tiredness, dizziness and a general decrease in well-being.
Chronic diseases lead to extreme weight gain. If hepatosis is suspected, a medical examination and treatment is indicated in any case. Otherwise, serious complications can occur. An 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 resilience is greatly reduced by hepatosis. In most cases, those affected are no longer able to carry out physical activities.
Diagnosis & History
If hepatosis is suspected, a doctor should be consulted. On the basis of the symptoms and a detailed discussion, taking into account the medical history and living conditions, the doctor can already make an initial diagnosis. This is backed up by a blood test.
However, it should be noted that the regular liver values in the case of hepatosis often remain within the normal range. Instead, the levels of alkaline phosphatase, an enzyme, and also the bile pigment bilirubin are significantly increased, which clearly proves the presence of hepatosis.
If left untreated, liver damage can progress and eventually lead to liver cirrhosis. This end stage of liver disease gradually reduces the liver’s function, eventually leading to complete failure. Liver cirrhosis 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 quality of life and everyday life of the patient.
Furthermore, there is also a so-called bile congestion and the formation of itching all over the body. The skin is red as a result and the patient himself also suffers from irritability. It is not uncommon for obesity to occur and thus for a relatively strong increase in weight. Those affected also show a high fever and suffer from a general feeling of illness and exhaustion.
The patient’s resilience also drops enormously as a result of the hepatosis and it is no longer possible for the patient to carry out physical activities or sporting activities. In the treatment of hepatosis, as a rule, there are no complications. This takes place with the help of medication and leads relatively quickly to a positive course of the disease. If the hepatosis was caused by an alcohol addiction, withdrawal usually has to be carried out.
When should you go to the doctor?
At the first sign of hepatosis, a doctor should be consulted. If symptoms such as itching, fever or a general feeling of illness are suddenly noticed, you must see a doctor within the next few days. If there are additional signs of jaundice, a specialist must be consulted immediately.
A high fever or an increasing feeling of illness are also clear warning signs that must be clarified immediately. If the symptoms mentioned rapidly increase in intensity, immediate clarification by the doctor is indicated. Patients should go to the nearest hospital or the affected person must be taken to the clinic. People who are being medicated for another medical condition are particularly susceptible to hepatosis.
Likewise, people who suffer from a genetic disease and women who regularly take hormones. People addicted to alcohol and people who generally have unhealthy habits also belong to the risk groups and should see a doctor as soon as possible if they experience the symptoms mentioned. At the latest when complications such as pain in the liver, high fever and cardiovascular problems are noticed, immediate diagnosis and treatment by a specialist is indicated. In addition to the family doctor, a specialist in internal medicine can be consulted in the event of hepatosis.
Treatment & Therapy
If, after comprehensive examinations, hepatosis has been clearly diagnosed, the attending physician can initiate appropriate therapy. In principle, hepatosis is a disease that is easy to treat and, with appropriate treatment, subsides within a few weeks. If it was triggered by taking medication, the respective medication should be discontinued as soon as possible. If possible, you should avoid taking it again in the future so that hepatosis does not occur again.
Drugs containing cortisone can also be given temporarily to help the liver tissue heal. If the hepatosis was caused by alcohol abuse, alcohol therapy is urgently recommended, because regeneration of the liver can only be achieved through long-term abstinence.
Malnutrition that leads to hepatosis should definitely be changed – under medical supervision if necessary – in eating habits and lifestyle. In this way, the liver tissue can regenerate and the damage can be prevented from progressing.
Outlook & Forecast
Statistically speaking, hepatosis takes a good course in most cases. The fact that the liver stores fat does not immediately lead to serious damage. Specialized doctors can treat a disease very well, especially in the early stages. However, cases related to the consumption of alcohol are often problematic.
Despite treatment, people often cannot let go of their addiction and constantly expose the ailing liver to new damage. Liver cells are destroyed. If it progresses further, organ failure is possible. Then death threatens.
Everyone can do something themselves to prevent illness. It is important to eliminate harmful factors, which results in a favorable prognosis even after the illness has passed. Moderate alcohol consumption has been shown to help keep the liver healthy. A balanced diet rich in fiber can also protect the body against the typical symptoms of hepatosis.
Regular physical activity boosts the regeneration of mutated cells. Corresponding activities must be carried out regularly, especially after the first successful treatment. This ensures preventively that the degeneration of the liver cells into fatty tissue does not occur again.
Prevention
In some cases, hepatosis can be prevented by making appropriate lifestyle changes. Drinking alcohol in moderation and leading a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet and adequate exercise can help maintain liver health and ensure optimal organ function.
If the first signs of hepatosis appear, it is advisable to immediately consult a doctor. After the diagnosis has been made, the doctor can initiate therapy and thus ensure that the disease subsides quickly and without consequential damage for the person concerned.
Aftercare
After a successfully treated hepatosis, the follow-up care plays a subordinate role or not at all. This is mainly due to the fact that the disease can usually be completely cured. In this case, in view of the freedom from complaints, no mandatory appointments are to be kept. If, on the other hand, the changes in the liver cells become chronic, other far-reaching diseases such as hepatitis and cirrhosis of the liver develop.
These exceed the symptoms of hepatosis and lead to other symptoms that can even be fatal. If follow-up care takes place, it is carried out by the patient. He was previously informed by his treating doctor about an adjustment in his lifestyle. Alcohol or drug abuse and malnutrition must be stopped.
In severe cases, it is not easy for the patient to do without the usual search methods. Therapy, which can also be ordered several times, helps to combat the actual causes of hepatosis. The progression of the disease can be monitored by taking blood and sonography.
However, these diagnostic procedures are only used if symptoms persist. Healed hepatosis does not confer immunity. Bad lifestyle habits can cause renewed liver disease at any time. Aftercare then aims to fundamentally transform the patient’s everyday life.
You can do that yourself
Hepatosis can often be treated by those affected themselves. If the symptoms are caused by improper nutrition, a change in eating habits should be attempted under medical supervision. As a result, and through a generally healthy lifestyle with sufficient exercise and the avoidance of stress, the liver tissue can regenerate well and the progression of hepatosis can be prevented.
If the liver damage is the result of alcoholism, alcohol consumption must be stopped. In addition, therapy is recommended. Long-term regeneration of the liver can only be achieved through permanent abstinence. In addition, the doctor will prescribe various drugs such as prednisone, which should lead to a rapid decongestion of the liver.
Depending on how severe the hepatosis is, various homeopathic remedies can also be used as supportive treatment . Which preparations are suitable should be discussed with the responsible doctor. If a drug is the cause, 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 eventual death. First aiders should inform the emergency doctor immediately and immobilize the person concerned and, if necessary, resuscitate them.