Alcoholic Hepatitis Symptoms

It is a common knowledge that alcohol is injurious to health and excessive consumption of alcohol can result in several life-threatening diseases and disorders. Alcoholic hepatitis is one such disease that is caused due to alcoholism. Let us take a look.

As aforementioned, alcoholic hepatitis is a disease caused due to excess consumption of alcohol for a longer period. It is the inflammation of the liver that is prominently caused due to alcohol. Alcoholic hepatitis is of two types; acute hepatitis and severe hepatitis.

One should not get confused between liver cirrhosis and alcoholic hepatitis, as hepatitis caused due to alcoholism is considered as the primary stage which can be an onset of liver cirrhosis or liver failure.

This disease is also considered as relatively mild when compared with other diseases of the liver caused due to consumption of alcohol. However, it should be known that this disease can only be cured by following treatments and stopping consumption of alcohol completely. If not, alcoholic hepatitis can also be fatal.

If the condition is mild, the person may not notice any symptoms at all. On the other hand, the following symptoms are observed in a relatively advanced stage:

• Abdominal pain
• Abdominal swelling and tenderness

• Loss of appetite
• Jaundice
• Low-grade fever
• Dryness of mouth
• Lightheadedness
• Weight gain
• Thirst
• Paleness
• Fatigue
• Illness
• Confusion

The symptoms also vary according to the type of hepatitis. The following are acute alcoholic hepatitis signs and symptoms:

• Spider like blood vessels
• Mood swings
• Vomiting blood
• Confusion
• Memory loss
• Jaundice

On the other hand, severe alcoholic hepatitis causes different signs and symptoms. They include:

• Ascites
• Coagulopathy
• Portal-systemic encephalopathy
• Liver Failure

Severe fatigue, illness and confusion are the warning signs of alcoholic hepatitis. Therefore, one should look out for these symptoms and consult the doctor as soon as possible when these symptoms are seen.

It cannot be told precisely as to how long will it take for the development of this disease. It can take lesser time in certain individuals; whereas, it can even develop gradually in others. Therefore, one should be very alert in identifying alcoholic hepatitis symptoms.

If this disease is treated timely, a person can recover within a short period of time. But, on the other hand, if left untreated, it can become a life-threatening condition. Blood and urine test and liver biopsy are the tests that need to be undertaken by the person.

Along with these, ultrasound and CT scan are also helpful in diagnosing this disease. Enlarged and inflamed liver confirms the presence of this disease in the person.

Refraining oneself from alcohol is the most important and most effective technique in treating alcoholic hepatitis. This process requires a lot of help and support from the patient and also close family members. Alcohol rehab, therapy and counseling can help a person overcome alcoholism to a greater extent.

The patient himself should be willing to recover and hence, requires a lot of motivation and support. In case the condition is very advanced and the person develops liver cirrhosis, liver transplantation can be undertaken with surgical methods.

This fatal disease can be prevented by limiting the consumption of alcohol and also monitoring physical and mental changes as they are the warning signs of the disease. One should remember that complete abstinence from alcohol and a change in lifestyle can definitely help in leading a longer and healthier life.