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Hepatic steatosis (fatty liver): causes, symptoms and types

Hepatic steatosis (fatty liver): causes, symptoms and types

March 4, 2024

The liver is one of the most important organs of the body: it is responsible for processing and eliminating waste products to prevent them from accumulating through their participation in processes such as metabolism or immune function. When the activity of the liver is severely affected, the life of the person is at a very high risk.

In this article we will talk about the causes, symptoms and types of fatty liver or fatty liver , one of the most common disorders of this organ, which predisposes to the onset of cirrhosis (pathological healing of the liver) if it is not adequately treated through changes in lifestyle, particularly alcohol abstinence.


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What is hepatic steatosis?

Hepatic steatosis is a disease, often asymptomatic, that consists of the accumulation of fats in the cells of the liver ; the most common are triglycerides, which are related to atherosclerosis and hypercholesterolemia. The name most used by most people to designate this disorder is "fatty liver".

It is a reversible disease, since its evolution usually depends on changes in habits and lifestyle, such as the adoption of a healthy diet or the interruption of alcohol consumption. However, Hepatic steatosis may progress to cirrhosis if it is not handled properly.


The prevalence of this disorder varies greatly depending on the country to which we refer; while in some it is approximately 10%, in many rich countries this figure exceeds 20% of the population . In any case, hepatic steatosis is a very common disease, especially in people with obesity.

Signs and symptoms of this disorder

Frequently, hepatic steatosis manifests as an asymptomatic disorder, or there are only nonspecific symptoms such as fatigue or discomfort in the abdomen. This is why many people are not aware that they have this problem if no physical examination detects a characteristic sign: a slight increase in the size of the liver.

Most of the Fatty liver symptoms are associated with inflammation of this organ . When this happens it is usual for symptoms to appear such as fatigue, physical weakness, confusion, pain in the abdomen, decreased appetite and consequently body weight.


The liver has a certain ability to self-repair. This process occurs through the generation of new liver cells that replace those that are damaged. However, if the liver is forced excessively, chronic scarring of the tissues may occur; when steatosis evolves up to this point we are talking about liver cirrhosis.

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Causes of fatty liver

When fats accumulate in excess in the liver, the functioning of this organ is altered; This means that our body can not properly eliminate the waste substances that are introduced into our body, especially through what we eat and drink.

Alcohol abuse and dependence are the most common causes of hepatic steatosis , since the excessive consumption of this substance causes injuries in the liver. When this is the main causal factor in the onset of the disease, the terms "alcoholic hepatic steatosis" and "alcoholic fatty liver" are used.

Some of the most relevant risk factors for the appearance of fatty liver are obesity, diets rich in sugars and fats (which can cause type 2 diabetes and hyperlipidemia) and have an advanced age; Most cases occur between 40 and 60 years. Genetic inheritance and consumption of aspirin or steroids is also associated with this disorder.

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Types of hepatic steatosis

In general, cases of fatty liver are classified according to whether their cause is excessive or different alcohol consumption. However, there is also a special variant that is worth mentioning: acute hepatic steatosis of pregnancy.

1. Non-alcoholic fatty liver

Non-alcoholic hepatic steatosis It is usually associated with disorders in the breakdown of fats ; this causes them to accumulate in the liver.The basic criterion used to diagnose this variant of fatty liver is that at least 10% of the tissue of this organ is composed of lipids.

2. Alcoholic fatty liver

Alcoholism damages liver cells and interferes with their functioning; This includes the decomposition of lipids. If alcoholic hepatic steatosis is detected once the alcohol consumption is maintained, it is very likely that the disorder will progress to cirrhosis; instead, After about two months of abstinence the steatosis remits .

3. Acute and associated with pregnancy

This type of hepatic steatosis is a rare complication that appears in the third trimester of pregnancy. The symptoms tend to disappear after childbirth, and include a general feeling of malaise, upper belly pains, nausea and vomiting and jaundice, which consists of yellowing of the skin and mucous membranes.


Fatty Liver Disease | Q&A (March 2024).


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