Ожирение печени и его осложнения
Causes of the hidden threat
Fatty infiltration of the liver (fatty hepatosis) usually develops as a result of an unhealthy lifestyle and diet. Excessive consumption of fatty food, sugars and confectionery, as well as eating proteins together with fast carbohydrates, overloads the liver. A lack of movement and a sedentary lifestyle only make the situation worse.
In such patients an ultrasound examination reveals an increase in the size of the liver and a rise in its echogenicity — this indicates thickening and fatty degeneration of the tissue.
How liver function suffers
The main tasks of the liver are filtering the blood, neutralising toxins, taking part in metabolism and thinning the blood. As fatty hepatosis develops, these functions are performed considerably worse. Levels of cholesterol, bilirubin and metabolic products rise in the body, which has a negative effect on the condition of the vessels.
Cardiovascular consequences
A rise in cholesterol and the narrowing of the vessel lumen lead to elevated arterial blood pressure and a poorer blood supply to the heart and the brain. The delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the myocardium is disrupted. The elasticity of the vessels decreases and they become brittle. All of this increases the risk of myocardial infarction and stroke.
Disruption of digestion and metabolism
A fatty liver has a negative effect on the pancreas, disrupting the production of insulin and of digestive enzymes. This leads to dysfunction of the gastrointestinal tract. Nervous excitability increases and the regulation of metabolic processes breaks down.
At the same time the water-salt balance is disturbed and the body’s acid-base environment changes. This promotes the formation of salt deposits in the spine and the joints.
Joint diseases as a consequence
Salt accumulations in the joints and the intervertebral discs form the basis for the development of:
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arthrosis and arthritis,
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osteochondrosis,
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intervertebral disc hernias.
These conditions may show no signs for a long time, until they turn into a chronic stage, when the body can no longer cope on its own.
What should you do?
At the early stages most changes are reversible. To avoid severe consequences it is necessary to:
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Switch to a healthy diet that excludes harmful combinations (for example, fast carbohydrates with fats),
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Regularly cleanse the body of toxins,
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Maintain the acid-base balance,
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Lead an active lifestyle.
The liver is a silent organ. It does not hurt, but it is the first to suffer. Listen to the signals of your body and do not wait for serious complications.