ALCOHOLIC LIVER ...

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Definition

Alcoholic liver disease is damage to the liver and its function due to alcohol abuse.

See also: Cirrhosis

Alternative Names

Liver disease due to alcohol; Cirrhosis or hepatitis - alcoholic; Laennec's cirrhosis

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Alcoholic liver disease usually occurs after years of excessive drinking. The longer the alcohol use and the more alcohol that was consumed, the greater the likelihood of developing liver disease.

Acute alcoholic hepatitis can result from binge drinking. It may be life-threatening if severe.

People who drink excessively can become malnourished because of the empty calories from alcohol, reduced appetite, and poor absorption (malabsorption) of nutrients in the intestines. Malnutrition contributes to liver disease.

Other factors that contribute to the development of alcoholic liver disease:

• Genetic factors
• Personal susceptibility to alcohol-induced liver disease
• Toxicity of alcohol (ethanol) to the liver

Alcoholic liver disease does not affect all heavy drinkers. Women may be more susceptible than men. It is not necessary to get drunk for the disease to develop.

Symptoms

Changes start in the liver as inflammation (hepatitis) and lead to fatty liver and cirrhosis. Cirrhosis is the final phase of alcoholic liver disease.

Symptoms may not be present until the disease is advanced, and may include:

• Abdominal pain and tenderness
• Dry mouth
• Excessive thirst
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Fluid collection in the abdomen (ascites)
• Jaundice
• Loss of appetite
• Mental confusion
• Nausea
• Unintentional weight gain (because of fluid collection)

Other symptoms that can occur with this disease:

• Abnormally dark or light skin
• Agitation
• Bloody, dark black, or tarry bowel movements (melena)
• Breast development in males
• Changing mood
• Confusion (encephalopathy)
  • Changed level of consciousness
  • Hallucinations
  • Impaired short- or long-term memory
• Difficulty paying attention (attention deficit)
• Impaired ability to concentrate
• Impaired judgment
• Light-headedness or fainting, especially when standing
• Paleness
• Rapid heart rate (tachycardia) when rising to standing position
• Redness on feet or hands
• Slow, sluggish, lethargic movement
• Vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds

Symptoms vary based on the severity of the disease. They are usually worse after a recent period of heavy drinking.

Reviewer Info: A.D.A.M. Editorial Team: David Zieve, MD, MHA, Greg Juhn, MTPW, David R. Eltz. Previously reviewed by Christian Stone, MD, Division of Gastroenterology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network (5/20/2008)., 12/12/2008