It’s unclear how much drinking carries risks, so it’s best to err on the side of caution. Either avoid alcohol or keep it to a minimum.
Alcoholic hepatitis is inflammation of the liver caused by heavy drinking over many years.
However, the relationship between drinking and alcoholic hepatitis is not easy to understand because not all alcoholics develop the disease and it can also occur in people who drink moderately.
Once you are diagnosed with alcoholic hepatitis, you must stop drinking alcohol or you will be at high risk for severe liver damage and death.
reason
Alcoholic hepatitis occurs when alcohol damages the liver. Exactly how alcohol damages the liver, and why it occurs only in certain alcoholics, is unclear.
Chemicals produced when alcohol breaks down cause inflammation, which damages liver cells. Over time, scarring can replace healthy liver tissue and interfere with liver function. This irreversible scarring (cirrhosis) is the final stage of the disease.
risk factors
The biggest risk factor is the amount of alcohol you drink. It’s unclear how much alcohol you consume to put you at risk for alcoholic hepatitis, so to be safe, avoid alcohol or only drink in moderation and make sure you’re getting the proper nutrients. However, this condition can occur in people who drink less alcohol.
Other risk factors include:
gender. The risk of developing alcoholic hepatitis appears to be higher as a woman, possibly because of differences in the way women process alcohol.
obesity. Overweight alcoholics may be more susceptible to alcoholic hepatitis Progression to cirrhosis.
genetic factors. Research suggests there may be a genetic component to alcohol-induced liver disease, although it is difficult to distinguish between genetic and environmental factors.
Race and ethnicity. Blacks and Hispanics may be at higher risk for alcoholic hepatitis.
Drunk till death. Five or more drinks in two hours for men and four or more drinks for women may increase the risk.
complication
Problems caused by severe liver damage are related to scar tissue, which slows blood flow to the liver, increases pressure on a major blood vessel (the portal vein), and causes a buildup of toxins.
Complications include:
Enlarged veins (varicose veins). Blood that cannot flow freely through the portal vein may back up into other blood vessels in the stomach and esophagus. These blood vessels have thin walls and may bleed if filled with too much blood. Heavy bleeding in the upper stomach or esophagus can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention.
Corticosteroids. These drugs have shown some short-term benefit in improving survival in some patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis. However, they have serious side effects and are usually not prescribed if you have kidney failure, gastrointestinal bleeding, or infection.
liver transplant
For many people with severe alcoholic hepatitis, the risk of death is high without a liver transplant. Historically, people with the disease were not good candidates for liver transplants because they were at risk of relapse into alcoholism.
However, studies have shown that post-transplant survival rates in carefully selected patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis are similar to transplant recipients with other types of liver disease.
Ascites is a buildup of fluid in the abdomen, which can become infected and require treatment with antibiotics. Ascites is not life-threatening but is often a sign of advanced alcoholic hepatitis or cirrhosis.
Confusion, drowsiness, and slurred speech (hepatic encephalopathy). A damaged liver has difficulty removing toxins from the body. The accumulation of toxins can damage your brain. Severe hepatic encephalopathy can lead to coma.
Renal Failure. A damaged liver can cause damage by affecting blood flow to the kidneys.
Cirrhosis of the liver. This scarring of the liver can lead to liver failure.
prevention
You may be protected from alcoholic hepatitis if you:
If at all, drink alcohol in moderation.
Protect yourself from hepatitis C – a contagious liver disease caused by a virus. If left untreated, cirrhosis of the liver may result. If you have hepatitis C and drink alcohol, you are much more likely to develop cirrhosis than if you don’t drink.
diagnosis
The doctor will take a complete medical history and perform a physical examination. Your drinking history is important, so you must be honest about your drinking habits.
Once completed, the following tests are important:
- Liver function tests.
- blood test.
- Liver ultrasound, CT or MRI scan.liver biopsy
treat
Stop drinking alcohol: If you are diagnosed with alcoholic hepatitis, you must stop drinking alcohol. If you’re having trouble, consider rehab, doctor-recommended medication, counseling, or a support group.
Treatment of malnutrition
Your doctor may recommend a special diet to correct nutritional problems. You may be referred to a nutritionist who can advise on ways to increase your consumption of vitamins and nutrients that you are deficient in. If you have trouble eating, your doctor may recommend tube feeding, which delivers a special nutrient-rich liquid diet into your stomach.
drug
If you have severe alcoholic hepatitis, your doctor may recommend:
Corticosteroids. These drugs have shown some short-term benefit in improving survival in some patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis. However, they have serious side effects and are usually not prescribed if you have kidney failure, gastrointestinal bleeding, or infection.
liver transplant
For many people with severe alcoholic hepatitis, the risk of death is high without a liver transplant. Historically, people with the disease were not good candidates for liver transplants because they were at risk of relapse into alcoholism.
However, studies have shown that post-transplant survival rates in carefully selected patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis are similar to transplant recipients with other types of liver disease.
Citizen/Dr. Dulcy Rakumakoe