0595BJ's Health and Beauty TipsHealthy People are Beautiful!Steatosis – Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment17Nov 2012adminSteatosis is the fat accumulation in the spaces between tissues of an organ. Commonly, steatosis is the term used to say that there is fat deposit in the liver; this disease is also called liver is fatty liver disease. This is a reversible disease of the liver and may not cause any complications when diagnosed and treated early.CausesThe most common cause of Steatosis is alcohol and people having this disease falls under the alcoholic fatty liver disease. It is found out that certain hereditary characteristics may increase the likelihood of a person to acquire the condition. The body’s ability to breakdown alcohol is affected by the genes. People who are moderate to heavy drinkers of alcohol are the most affected. For non-alcoholic steatosis of the liver, there are many causes that may be attributed to this. Having diabetes or the body’s impaired utilization of glucose because of diminished insulin function, and being overweight and obese may increase the chances of a person to have this disease. High level of fats and cholesterol in the blood may also trigger in the development of this disease. Also, having other diseases of the liver like hepatitis is a predisposing factor that is linked to steatosis.SymptomsUsually, people who have steatosis do not know that they have this disease. Most commonly, other diseases would lead them to have their liver functions checked and that is the time they would know that there is already fat deposits in their liver. Steatosis is not considered dangerous when the fat accumulation is just less than 10 % of the liver’s size. However, when the disease is found out, certain complications may have already arisen. Occurring in many persons, the first symptom that they will feel is body weakness. The person is lethargic and experiencing body malaise. This might be because of impaired metabolism of glycogen in the liver.  Some symptoms would be loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting and weight loss. There will also be pain felt in the abdomen right where the liver is located and increase in the liver’s size.In the advance stage of steatosis, when the function of the liver is greatly affected, the person will notice some skin discolorations.  Excretion of by-products from the liver to the kidney will be disrupted and these byproducts will stay in the body. This will cause jaundice or yellowish discoloration of the skin and the sclera or the white of the eyes will also look yellowish. The hepatic portal form the intestine will be affected also. This will cause the veins in the intestines to engorge and may cause bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract. Ascites or fluid accumulation in the spaces of the abdominal cavity will also be noticed. There will be edema or swelling of the feet and itching sensation felt throughout the body. The most serious complication of steatosis may include encephalop