Alcoholic Liver Disease
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Alcoholic liver disease is damage to the liver and its function due to alcohol abuse......
Causes:
Alcoholic liver disease usually occurs after years of drinking too much. The longer the alcohol use has occurred, and the more alcohol that was consumed, the greater the likelihood of developing liver disease.
Alcohol may cause swelling and inflammation in the liver. Over time, this can lead to scarring and then cirrhosis of the liver. Cirrhosis is the final phase of alcoholic liver disease.
Other important factors include:
Symptoms:
Symptoms vary based on the severity of the disease. They are usually worse after a recent period of heavy drinking.Symptoms may not be present until the disease is advanced.
General symptoms include:
The most important part of treatment is to stop using alcohol completely. If liver cirrhosis has not yet occurred, the liver can heal if you stop drinking alcohol.
An alcohol rehabilitation program or counseling may be necessary to break the alcohol addiction.Vitamins, especially B-complex and folic acid, can help reverse malnutrition.If cirrhosis develops, you will need to manage the complications of cirrhosis.You may need a liver transplant.
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Causes:
Alcoholic liver disease usually occurs after years of drinking too much. The longer the alcohol use has occurred, and the more alcohol that was consumed, the greater the likelihood of developing liver disease.
Alcohol may cause swelling and inflammation in the liver. Over time, this can lead to scarring and then cirrhosis of the liver. Cirrhosis is the final phase of alcoholic liver disease.
Other important factors include:
- Alcoholic liver disease may be more common in some families
- This disease does not occur in all heavy drinkers
- You do not have to get drunk for the disease to develop
- Women may be more susceptible than men
Symptoms:
Symptoms vary based on the severity of the disease. They are usually worse after a recent period of heavy drinking.Symptoms may not be present until the disease is advanced.
General symptoms include:
- Abdominal pain and tenderness
- Dry mouth and increased thirst
- Fatigue
- Jaundice
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Swelling or fluid buildup in the legs (edema) and in the abdomen (ascites) when cirrhosis is present
- Weight loss
- Abnormally dark or light skin
- Redness on feet or hands
- Small, red spider-like blood vessels on the skin
- Yellow color in the skin, mucus membranes, or eyes (jaundice)
- Bloody, dark black, or tarry bowel movements (melena)
- Nosebleeds or bleeding gums
- Vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
- Agitation (being stirred up, excited, or irritable)
- Changing mood
- Confusion (encephalopathy)
- Periods of decreased alertness or awareness
- Hallucinations
- Impaired short- or long-term memory
- Pain, numbness, or tingling in the arms or legs
- Problems paying attention or concentrating
- Poor judgment
- Slow, sluggish movements
- Breast development in males
- Light-headedness or fainting, especially when rising to standing position
- Paleness
The most important part of treatment is to stop using alcohol completely. If liver cirrhosis has not yet occurred, the liver can heal if you stop drinking alcohol.
An alcohol rehabilitation program or counseling may be necessary to break the alcohol addiction.Vitamins, especially B-complex and folic acid, can help reverse malnutrition.If cirrhosis develops, you will need to manage the complications of cirrhosis.You may need a liver transplant.
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www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000281.htm