Hepatosis in pregnant women: causes, symptoms, danger, treatment and prevention

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Pregnancy is a happy time in the life of every woman, but, unfortunately, it is often overshadowed by various diseases. These include hepatosis in pregnant women, the symptoms of which most often begin to appear in the third trimester. Just a few years ago, this disease was very rare in medical practice; only one out of 16,000 expectant mothers suffered from it. But recently, an increasing number of pregnant women are faced with this unpleasant disease. Hepatosis in pregnant women is a degenerative liver lesion, manifested in impaired bile formation and bile flow.

Causes of hepatosis in pregnant women

Doctors turned their attention to this disease relatively recently, so experts are still arguing about what causes its appearance. Most medical minds agree that hepatosis in pregnant women is caused by certain genetic characteristics or disorders and can be transmitted through the female line. These genetic abnormalities may not manifest themselves in any way throughout life. But sometimes pregnancy, which brings with it an increase in body weight, hormonal imbalances and an increased load on the body in general and on the liver in particular, gives impetus to the development of hepatosis. The liver is also very susceptible to the influence of pregnancy hormones. For example, estrogen.

The main factors that increase the risk of this disease include:

1. Incorrect intake of vitamins. Vitamins are always an additional burden on the liver. Many vitamin complexes contain increased amounts of various components, which cause liver dysfunction, so they need to be taken correctly, taking into account age, body weight, dosage and stage of pregnancy.
2. Dietary disorder. Overeating and eating salty, fried, smoked, fatty foods, as well as foods rich in chemical additives, overload the liver and impair its functioning.
3. Insufficient physical activity. If the expectant mother moves little, then little energy obtained from food is consumed, and the metabolism, which is already slowed down by pregnancy, slows down.

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Reasons why the breath smells like alcohol

The fume does not appear by chance. Any alcoholic drink contains ethyl alcohol, which enters the gastrointestinal tract. In the stomach, it begins to be intensively absorbed into the blood, and it carries the substance throughout the body. Next, ethanol is broken down, converted into acetaldehyde, and then into acetic acid. These substances form the smell of alcohol from the mouth.

After drinking alcohol and as it breaks down, these products enter the bloodstream and are excreted into the lungs, where they begin to be released into the environment. The lungs are not the only way to remove waste products; they are also excreted in sweat and urine, giving these byproducts a strong, unpleasant odor.

There are a number of factors that influence the speed at which the body gets rid of these substances, which, of course, it does not need at all. First of all, these are the individual characteristics of the body. After all, some people can easily tolerate alcohol, while other people feel unwell even after a small dose of alcohol. But there are other aspects that most directly affect fumes and the period of time within which you will have to deal with it. The dose of what you drink plays a big role - the more you drink, the longer the unpleasant odor will be felt. The strength of the drink is also important - the lighter it is, the faster the unpleasant “aroma” goes away. Another point is the quality of alcohol. The lower it is, the worse the smell will go away.

Among the parameters of the body, there are also important conditions that are worth remembering. So, the higher the body weight , the faster the consequences of the party pass. Age also plays a role - a young body copes with the problem faster than an older one. Health is also not the last factor. If there are problems with the gastrointestinal tract, heart or circulatory system, and especially with the liver, the period for removing alcohol from the blood, and therefore the time required to get rid of the smell, will be longer. It is also worth considering gender characteristics. For women, this period is delayed by 12-17 percent.

If a person takes any medications, the bad breath after alcohol may last longer, or, conversely, disappear faster. It all depends on what kind of drug is taken and how it affects the body and individual organs. The appetizer will also play a role. A person who not only drinks, but also eats well, gets drunk slowly, but the fumes from him will last longer . Indeed, in this case, the alcohol will also evaporate slowly. Thus, it is impossible to answer exactly how long the smell of alcohol on your breath lasts. In order to give an approximate figure, you need to have certain information.

The dynamics of the process will be approximately as follows.

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Diagnosis of hepatosis and its signs

Hepatosis in pregnant women is a disease that is sometimes very difficult to diagnose. By this time, the uterus already occupies the entire abdominal cavity, which makes palpation of the liver impossible. This disease is often confused with gallstone disease, because their symptoms are very similar. The most common signs of hepatosis include:

• skin itching;
• yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes, the appearance of vascular networks on the face and hands, redness of the palms (they seem to be covered with red spots from the inside);
• nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, bitterness in the mouth, stool disorders, loss of appetite;
• pain in the right hypochondrium;
• lightening of stool and darkening of urine (from orange to dark brown);

When the bile duct is disrupted, a large amount of bile accumulates in the liver. Unable to escape, bile begins to break through into the lymphatic system, and from there into the general bloodstream. If you conduct a blood test, it will show an increase in the level of transaminases, alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin and cholesterol, a decrease in hemoglobin, as well as red blood cells and platelets. A urine test will reveal the presence of bile acids and increased secretion of urobilin.

When bile enters the bloodstream, it causes itching, which intensifies in the evening and at night. Most often, pregnant women with this disease consult a doctor with complaints of an acute and irresistible desire to scratch. It drives you crazy, disrupts sleep, leads to fatigue and irritation. As a rule, the arms, legs and stomach itch the most. Filling the liver with bile causes overstretching of its capsule, the surface of which has a large number of pain receptors. This causes constant dull pain in the right side.

If hepatosis is suspected, the doctor at the antenatal clinic should carefully examine the patient, try to palpate the liver area, prescribe extensive blood and urine tests, as well as an ultrasound examination of the liver, gall bladder and neighboring organs.

Painful attacks during hepatosis

In the most difficult cases of hepatosis, the patient sometimes experiences attacks characterized by severe pain in the right hypochondrium. Often the pain is felt in the abdomen, at the level of the navel and is mistaken for an exacerbation of gastritis. Such attacks may be accompanied by continuous and painful vomiting without relief, headache, tinnitus, rapid heartbeat, darkening of the eyes and shortness of breath. They are very similar to severe poisoning syndrome, only in this case the stool practically does not change, and the food eaten is vomited.

Most often, such attacks are caused by eating harmful foods (fried, spicy, fatty, alcohol) and begin 40-60 minutes after eating or by a sudden movement, for example, a quick turn, bend or fall. Painful attacks can last up to 20-40 minutes, they begin suddenly and recede just as sharply. Often after an attack, quite severe residual pain remains in the right hypochondrium for several days. A big mistake during such attacks is taking paracetamol, because it only aggravates the situation, negatively affecting liver activity. It is allowed to take antispasmodic drugs such as No-Shpa.

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The danger of hepatosis during pregnancy

The affected liver is not able to cleanse the body of harmful substances, which leads to intoxication of the mother and a deterioration in her well-being. Surprisingly, from the very first day after birth, the disease begins to quickly recede and soon leaves no trace behind. After 1-2 weeks, blood counts return to normal. Even if hepatosis recurs in several pregnancies in a row, it does not make any visible changes in the woman’s liver. However, this does not mean that this disease is harmless. It disrupts the metabolism between mother and fetus, thereby adversely affecting the child. It has been proven that hepatosis increases the likelihood of perinatal mortality by 5%, and in 35% of pregnancies occurring against the background of this disease, hypoxia, prematurity and delay in fetal development were observed.

Treatment of hepatosis in pregnant women

Treatment of hepatosis is complicated by the fact that almost all medications are contraindicated for pregnant women. Many medications can cause hypoxia and intrauterine growth retardation in the fetus, so the doctor must conduct a full examination of the patient and make sure the diagnosis is correct before deciding on a treatment method. It is very important to understand at what stage the disease is. In the mild stage, you can do without drug intervention by using a special diet. The expectant mother should exclude all heavy, fatty and high-calorie foods from her diet, and also stop taking vitamin complexes and other medications (if their withdrawal does not harm the pregnancy). Drugs designed to optimize liver function are also often prescribed (Hofitol, Essentiale Forte N and others). In many cases, diet is enough to remove toxins from the body and improve the patient's condition.

In more severe stages, the woman is sent to a hospital, where the issue of early delivery is decided. If there is no danger to the fetus, then labor can be delayed by purifying the blood using IVs. They are combined with taking large doses of the above-mentioned drugs and a strict diet. If this technique makes it possible to suppress the disease or at least keep it at the same level of development, and the condition of the fetus does not cause concern, then treatment is continued until 37-38 weeks, and childbirth is planned for this period. If the method does not give the desired result (or if the condition of the fetus worsens, hypoxia is clearly visible), consent to induced labor or Caesarean section is urgently signed. Often the child has a defensive reaction to the unfavorable situation created, and premature birth spontaneously begins. However, you should not rely only on nature. If serious indications arise, it is recommended to start the labor process in advance to minimize the risk of complications.

It is very important that a pregnant woman with severe hepatosis is under constant medical supervision. It is also necessary to carry out extensive blood tests every two days. It often happens that under the influence of IVs, blood counts suddenly drop significantly. Having decided that the disease has subsided, the doctor discharges the patient, and after a couple of days she is again admitted to the hospital with a sharp increase in transaminases.

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The main causes of acetone odor from the mouth

The unpleasant odor of acetone from the mouth may be a consequence of:

• poor nutrition, prolonged fasting;
• acute alcohol poisoning;
• physical fatigue;
• acetonemic syndrome;
• pregnancy;
• diabetes mellitus;
• ketoacidosis;
• thyrotoxicosis;
• severe disturbances in the functioning of the liver and kidneys;
• schizophrenia.

Let's look at each reason in more detail.

Hunger

If you follow a low-carbohydrate diet for a long time, the body will begin to use up reserves of proteins and fats as sources of energy. With the active breakdown of lipids, ketone bodies are formed. They are responsible for the taste of acetone in the mouth.

The symptom is especially pronounced in the morning, immediately after waking up . If a person does not stop fasting, his urine will also begin to smell.

Alcohol poisoning

As a result of alcohol intoxication, many biochemical reactions begin to proceed incorrectly. Catabolic processes come to the fore. Ketone components are actively synthesized. Then in the morning after a feast, the addict is faced with an unpleasant acetone aroma.

Physical fatigue

An increase in the level of ketone bodies is often observed in professional athletes and people involved in strength sports. Their body actively breaks down fats to get an additional portion of energy. This is the reason for the increase in dimethyl ketone concentration.

If an unpleasant symptom persists for several days in a row, you cannot ignore it. It is recommended to visit a doctor and undergo laboratory tests.

Acetonemic syndrome

Most often, this condition is found in preschool children. The child is very nauseous and vomits periodically. He becomes lethargic, passive, pale, refuses to eat, and sleeps poorly. The patient smells strongly of acetone.

Often acetone syndrome is caused by severe viral and infectious diseases , fever, and dehydration. If it develops, you should urgently consult a pediatrician.

Pregnancy period

While carrying a child, the load placed on a woman’s body increases many times over. Important hormonal changes occur. Some expectant mothers experience changes in their sense of taste in the first trimester. They begin to smell dimethyl ketone when they eat or drink something.

There is no need to worry about such changes. As a rule, they go away on their own along with toxicosis. But you still need to notify your obstetrician-gynecologist about strange sensations.

Diabetes

The smell can occur during a long and complex course of the disease. This symptom is not characteristic of the initial period of diabetes. At the same time, the patient begins to suffer due to a constant feeling of thirst, drying out of the mucous membranes of the oral cavity, and decreased appetite.

Ketoacidosis

A dangerous complication of diabetes. It is characterized by a rapid increase in the concentration of ketone bodies against the background of cessation of insulin production. This can happen with a fever, and also if a person forgot to take the next insulin injection, the day before he worked a lot and hard.

The situation with this diagnosis worsens gradually. First, the patient notices that he constantly feels the taste of dimethyl ketone. His thirst increases. Then weakness appears and breathing quickens. It is important not to wait for the complication to progress and to seek medical help as soon as possible.

Thyrotoxicosis

With thyrotoxicosis, the content of thyroxine in the blood increases. As a result, the breakdown of protein structures in the human body is activated. A strange chemical taste appears in the mouth, which disappears temporarily after brushing your teeth. If the patient drinks little and eats poorly, the manifestations of the disease become more obvious.

Liver diseases

The liver is the natural filter of the human body. It is responsible for neutralizing toxins and harmful substances, removing incompletely oxidized metabolic products.

If severe liver disease has developed, a specific acetone taste very often occurs. He is accompanied by:

• weakness;
• nausea;
• pain in the right hypochondrium;
• constipation or, conversely, diarrhea.

Among the main liver disorders in which the aroma of acetone appears are:

• Viral diseases. Among them: hepatitis B and C, cytomegalovirus infection.
• Failure in the functioning of the liver parenchyma due to severe intoxication of the body.
• Liver failure, Reye's syndrome, drug overdose.

Kidney diseases

With kidney problems, the body cannot normally eliminate toxic ketone substances. Then the taste of dimethyl ketone remains permanently. There is a failure of nitrogen metabolism. The patient's appetite worsens and nausea appears.

People who have been diagnosed with acute renal failure often complain of an acetone taste. Then, in addition to a strange discomfort, urination becomes rare and the mucous membranes of the oral cavity dry out.

Schizophrenia

Very often, patients with schizophrenia complain about unpleasant acetone symptoms. This symptom is associated with an obsession with poisoning - it seems to a schizophrenic that they are trying to poison him.

Prevention of hepatosis in pregnant women

Although hepatosis is considered the result of certain genetic characteristics, there are a number of recommendations to avoid it or delay its appearance for a longer period:

1. Dieting. If you have a tendency to overload the liver, then you must completely avoid everything fried, fatty, smoked, salty, spicy and sour. The diet should consist of fruits, vegetables (except potatoes, legumes, onions and garlic), low-fat dairy products, chicken breast meat, and low-fat fish. You should not eat chocolate and other cocoa-containing products, egg yolks, cheese, pastries (1-2 pieces of black bread per day are allowed).
2. Physical activity. Movement is life, so you need to move more. This speeds up metabolic processes in the body, eliminates congestion, and facilitates the functioning of the liver.
3. Refusal of oral hormonal contraceptives and antibacterial agents. They can cause great harm to the liver.
4. Take vitamins carefully or avoid them. If possible, you should try to get all the substances the body needs from food, and not from vitamin complexes.
5. Treatment of chronic gastrointestinal diseases.
6. The use of hepatoprotectors and choleretic drugs. If pregnancy is not planned yet, then it is enough to carry out preventive courses with these drugs, and if pregnancy has already occurred, then they must be taken according to a special schedule agreed with the attending physician.

Hepatosis in pregnant women is a very insidious disease. If you suspect you have signs of it, be sure to tell your doctor so that he can order a blood test and make or rule out a diagnosis.

How to get rid of the smell of alcohol from your breath, and how to prevent its occurrence

Of course, it is simply impossible to completely eliminate the occurrence of fumes. But there are some ways to help cope with this problem to one degree or another.

So, you should definitely eat a hearty meal before the planned party. It's good to eat something fatty. It also helps with hangovers. People recommend soup with meat broth, butter, and fatty fish. Pizza and pasta, for example, are rich in carbohydrates, and these foods also help. Next, you need to drink alcohol. But not fatty foods. It is better to choose something light as a snack. Fruits, nuts, bread are ideal.

Next, don’t mix alcohol. If you drink just one thing, there will be a fume, but not a strong one, and getting rid of it won’t be difficult. The quality of the alcohol is also important - good drinks rarely cause problems. It also makes sense to monitor the amount you drink and not overdrink. If you're going to drink a lot, you need to plan the date of the party so that you don't have to go anywhere the next day.

Among the preliminary measures, activated carbon - it is taken before the event, 1 tablet per 10 kg of body weight. Instead of coal, you can take a spoonful of Enterosgel.

But how to get rid of the smell of alcohol from your breath if the feast has already passed, but the problem remains present? There are good home solutions that do not get rid of the cause, but successfully eliminate the unpleasant odor for at least an hour or two. Mint toothpaste is suitable for this and should be used to thoroughly brush your teeth. After this there will be no smell for some time. Another common remedy is a lollipop or a piece of chocolate, they can also temporarily remove the fumes. Chewing gum also helps for a while. But they only work for about 15 minutes, after which the fume appears again . A good way is to drink citrus juice with a couple of drops of vinegar. You can also chew coffee beans, dill or parsley, especially dried green tea leaves. Regular roasted sunflower seeds also help. Among the methods that act quickly are milk with a spoon of honey and brine. There are also Petrusha and Antipolitsay, which can be purchased at the pharmacy, but they only work for about 30 minutes. These remedies temporarily solve the problem of how to get rid of the smell of alcohol from the mouth.

All these measures work temporarily. If you need to get rid of the smell completely, you need to take measures to accelerate the removal of alcohol from the body. First of all, you should drink as much water as possible. This way it will be possible to speed up the metabolism, and therefore quickly remove the remaining alcohol, removing the fumes. Diuretics also help, accelerating the elimination of toxins in the urine. These substances also come out with sweat, so a sauna or steam bath is also suitable. Increased activity and walks in the fresh air also relieves fumes. After all, at the same time, breathing quickens, ventilation of the lungs improves, and alcohol vapors disappear faster. But it’s also worth remembering that excessive physical activity with a hangover is not recommended. Therefore, you need to know when to stop.

When thinking about how to get rid of the smell after alcohol, you need to remember the benefits of a good breakfast. Even if after yesterday there is no appetite at all. The next morning, have a good breakfast of oatmeal and drink low-fat broth. You also need to remember the benefits of sorbents. In the morning you can take the same activated carbon, up to 20 tablets. You can choose Enterosgel and other drugs of the same type. Glutargin also helps, as it restores the liver , which had to deal with a lot of work. These remedies help personally, although not instantly. And in extreme cases, a cleansing enema and gastric lavage helps. This method can be considered one of the most effective and fastest.