Alcohol related liver disease

Overview

Excessive consumption of alcohol at a single instance or over a course of time can result in liver damage. Alcohol related liver disease can be at different stages from mild steatohepatitis to severe alcoholic liver cirrhosis. This is a chronic condition and develops over time.

Causes

Liver metabolizes 90% of the alcohol consumed in the body. The byproducts released during breakdown can directly affect the liver cells (hepatocytes).

Symptoms

Symptoms typically appear only after a significant amount of liver damage has occurred as mostly the liver can regenerate itself.

Fever
Yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes- Jaundice
Loss of appetite
Nausea and vomiting
Abdominal pain or tenderness
Fatigue
Fluid accumulation in the abdomen

Risk Factors

Drink large amounts of alcohol over a long period of time
Binge drinking
Female gender is more prone to alcoholic liver damage
Have a genetic makeup that makes them susceptible to alcoholic liver disease
Obesity

Guidelines on alcohol consumption

Current guidelines suggest moderate drinking of alcohol which is one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men.
One drink = 12-ounce bottle of beer / 4-ounce glass of wine / 1-ounce shot of hard liquor.
Ensure at least 2 days free of alcohol during any given week.
Individuals with existing liver damage should avoid alcohol completely.

Diagnosis

A detailed history of current and past alcohol consumption is taken . The doctor will also conduct a thorough physical examination. Diagnostic tests involve