Alcoholic hepatitis

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Alcoholic hepatitis

Alcoholic Hepatitis Treatment

What is meant by Alcoholic Hepatitis?

Alcoholic hepatitis occurs when a person consumes more alcohol than the liver can process. Such condition is treated by Alcoholic Hepatitis Specialist in Girgaon.
The liver is the second largest organ in the body. It is on the right side of the torso, under the rib cage. Its role is to convert food and drink into nutrients that the body can use easily. The liver also filters poisons and harmful substances — including alcohol — from the blood. Alcohol can damage and destroy liver cells. The liver breaks down alcohol for removal from the body. The liver can only process alcohol in small doses. Excess amount of alcohol circulates throughout the body. Drinking more alcohol than the body can process may cause injury or serious damage to the liver. To get the liver treated in such conditions there are specialist doctors. Dr. Chetan Kalal is one such expert Alcoholic Hepatitis Specialist in Girgaon.

What affects Alcohol and the liver?

Ethyl alcohol or ethanol is an ingredient in beer, wine, and liquor that causes intoxication. Alcohol affects every organ in the body and the central nervous system.The way a person experiences the effects of alcohol depends directly on the amount they consume. Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to a variety of health problems including:

  • cirrhosis, or scarring of the liver
  • inflammation of the pancreas
  • cancer
  • high blood pressure
  • psychological disorders
  • alcohol dependence

Alcohol can harm a fetus during pregnancy and increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. It can also lead to unintentional motor accidents and violence.

What are the symptoms of alcoholic hepatitis?

The most common sign of alcoholic hepatitis is yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice).

Other signs and symptoms include:

  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Abdominal tenderness
  • Fever, often low grade
  • Fatigue and weakness

Malnutrition is common in people with alcoholic hepatitis. Drinking large amounts of alcohol suppresses the appetite, and heavy drinkers get most of their calories from alcohol.

Additional signs and symptoms that occur with severe alcoholic hepatitis include:

  • Fluid accumulation in your abdomen (ascites)
  • Confusion and behavior changes due to a buildup of toxins normally broken down and eliminated by the liver
  • Kidney and liver failure

Causes and risk factors of Alcoholic Hepatitis

The main cause of alcoholic hepatitis is heavy drinking over an extended period. The process of breaking down alcohol in the liver causes inflammation that can destroy liver cells. Over time, scars begin to replace functional liver tissue in the body. This interferes with how the liver works. Irreversible scarring — or cirrhosis — is the final stage of alcoholic liver disease.

Cirrhosis can quickly progress to liver failure once it develops. A damaged liver can also interfere with blood flow to the kidneys. This can result in damage and kidney failure. Other factors can contribute to alcoholic hepatitis. People with other types of hepatitis have a higher risk. They should not drink alcohol. A person with alcoholic hepatitis may experience malnourishment. Drinking significant amounts of alcohol can suppress the appetite. Alcohol may become the main source of calories for an individual.

Treatment on Alcoholic Hepatitis

There is no cure for alcoholic hepatitis, but treatment will aim to reduce or eliminate symptoms and stop the progression of the disease.

Dietary changes: A doctor may also recommend dietary changes. Vitamin supplements or a focused diet plan may help to correct the balance of nutrients in the body if a person has malnourishment after regular alcohol use.

Medication: Doctors may prescribe medicines including corticosteroids and pentoxifylline to help reduce liver inflammation.

Liver transplant: In severe cases, a liver transplant may be the only chance for survival. However, the process of finding a donor can be long and complicated.