liver health

Symptoms Fatty liver disease

Related articles: Fatty liver disease

Definition

The term steatosis indicates the infiltration of fat in the hepatocytes; it is quite common among alcoholics and malnourished or obese subjects, but it can also occur in pregnancy or due to the abuse of certain drugs.

Most common symptoms and signs *

  • Asthenia
  • Increased transaminases
  • Colaluria
  • Pain in a hip
  • Abdominal pain
  • Hypercholesterolemia
  • Hypertriglyceridemia
  • Weight loss

Further indications

For most people, hepatic steatosis does not cause any particular symptoms or complications. Sometimes, however, in a liver affected by steatosis, the abnormal accumulation of fat can give rise to an inflammatory process (steatohepatitis), which in turn can damage liver cells until the appearance of scars. Painful symptoms, when present, are located in the upper and right side of the abdomen.