|
|
Alcoholic Liver Disease
Alternate Names : Cirrhosis or Hepatitis - Alcoholic, Laennec's Cirrhosis, Liver Disease due to Alcohol
Definition Alcoholic liver disease involves an acute or chronic inflammation of the liver induced by alcohol abuse. See also cirrhosis.
Pictures & Images
 See all Pictures & Images
Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
Alcoholic hepatitis usually occurs after years of excessive drinking. The longer the duration of alcohol use and the greater the consumption of alcohol, the greater the probability of developing liver disease.
Malnutrition develops as a result of empty calories from alcohol, reduced appetite, and malabsorption (inadequate absorption of nutrients from the intestinal tract). Malnutrition contributes to liver disease.
The toxicity of ethanol to the liver, individual susceptibility to alcohol-induced liver disease, and genetic factors also contribute to the development of alcoholic liver disease.
Alcoholic liver disease does not affect all heavy drinkers, and women may be more susceptible than men. Drunkenness is not essential for the development of the disease.
In some drinkers, the rate of alcohol metabolism can be high enough to allow for the consumption of large quantities of alcohol without raising the blood alcohol level to detectable concentrations by conventional breath analyzer.
Changes start within the liver as inflammation (hepatitis) and progress to fatty liver and cirrhosis. Cirrhosis is the final phase of alcoholic liver disease. Symptoms may not be present until the disease is relatively advanced.
Serious complications are associated with advanced disease such as alcoholic encephalopathy (damage to brain tissue) and portal hypertension (high blood pressure within the liver).
Today's Top News Stories | • | Falls Are Top Cause of Injury, Death Among Elderly - Jul 19, 2008, 09:00
Not all homes are the same, but common sense measures can reduce the risk, expert says. | • | Heart Blood Vessels Grown in the Lab - Jul 18, 2008, 19:00
Could offer a future alternative to bypass surgery, researchers say. | • | Clinical Trials Update: July 18, 2008 - Jul 18, 2008, 09:24
- Breast Cancer
- Hot Flashes
- Emphysema
| • | Loud Music in Bars Hastens Drinking - Jul 18, 2008, 16:00
French researchers say blasting tunes makes patrons down more alcohol in less time. | • | Breast-Fed Babies Have Fewer GI Infections - Jul 18, 2008, 17:00
But they're more likely to be iron-deficient, study finds. |
|
Jump to another section
• Definition
• Alcoholic Liver Disease Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
• Alcoholic Liver Disease Symptoms & Signs
• Alcoholic Liver Disease Prevention
• Alcoholic Liver Disease Diagnosis & Tests
• Alcoholic Liver Disease Treatment
• Alcoholic Liver Disease Prognosis
• Alcoholic Liver Disease Complications
• Alcoholic Liver Disease Support Groups
• Calling Your Health Care Provider
• Pictures & Images
Topics that might be of interest to you Diseases & Conditions
• Anemia
• Ascites
• Bleeding Esophageal Varices
• Cirrhosis
• Hepatic Encephalopathy
• Hepatitis
• Liver Disease
• Malabsorption
• Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome
Tests & Exams
• Abdominal Tap - Paracentesis
• Abdominal Ultrasound
• ALP
• Alpha Fetoprotein
• CBC
• CT Scan
• Ferritin
• Liver Biopsy
• Liver Function Tests
• Reticulocyte Count
Other Topics
• Abdomen - Swollen
• Abdominal Pain
• Acute
• Agitation
• Alcohol Use
• Alcoholism - Resources
• Appetite - Decreased
• Bloody or Tarry Stools
• Chronic
• Confusion
• Fainting
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Folic Acid (Folate)
• Gynecomastia
• Hepatomegaly
• High Blood Pressure
• Jaundice - Yellow Skin
• Liver Disease - Resources
• Metabolism
• Nausea and Vomiting
• Paleness
• Protein in Diet
• Pulse - Bounding
• Resources
• Stress and Anxiety
• Thirst - Excessive
• Vomiting Blood
• Weight Gain - Unintentional
Review Date : 5/9/2002
Reviewed By : Andrew J. Muir, M.D. M.H.S., Division of Gastroenterology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
|
|
