Alcoholic hepatitis is a syndrome of progressive inflammatory liver injury associated with long-term heavy intake of ethanol. The pathogenesis is not completely understood. Alcoholic hepatitis usually persists and progresses to cirrhosis if heavy alcohol use continues. If alcohol use ceases, alcoholic hepatitis resolves slowly over weeks to months, sometimes without permanent sequelae but often with residual cirrhosis.
Most patients with alcoholic hepatitis exhibit evidence of protein-energy malnutrition (PEM). In the past, nutritional deficiencies were assumed to play a major role in the development of liver injury. This assumption was supported by several animal models in which susceptibility to alcohol-induced cirrhosis could be produced by diets deficient in choline and methionine.
The following are the most common symptoms of alcoholic hepatitis. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:
* abdominal tenderness
* spider-like blood vessels in the skin
* ascites - fluid build-up in the abdominal cavity.
* poor appetite
* jaundice - yellowing of the skin and eyes.
* low fever
* fatigue
* feeling ill
The symptoms of alcoholic hepatitis may resemble other medical conditions or problems. Always consult your physician for a diagnosis.
How is Alcoholic Hepatitis diagnosed?
After completing mecia; history and physical examination, diagnosis procedure may include
1) Specific laboratory blood tests such as:
* Liver function studies
* bleeding times
* cellular blood counts
* tests for other chemicals in the body
* electrolyte tests
2)Ultrasound also known as Sonography
3)Liver Biopsy
Most patients with alcoholic hepatitis exhibit evidence of protein-energy malnutrition (PEM). In the past, nutritional deficiencies were assumed to play a major role in the development of liver injury. This assumption was supported by several animal models in which susceptibility to alcohol-induced cirrhosis could be produced by diets deficient in choline and methionine.
The following are the most common symptoms of alcoholic hepatitis. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:
* abdominal tenderness
* spider-like blood vessels in the skin
* ascites - fluid build-up in the abdominal cavity.
* poor appetite
* jaundice - yellowing of the skin and eyes.
* low fever
* fatigue
* feeling ill
The symptoms of alcoholic hepatitis may resemble other medical conditions or problems. Always consult your physician for a diagnosis.
How is Alcoholic Hepatitis diagnosed?
After completing mecia; history and physical examination, diagnosis procedure may include
1) Specific laboratory blood tests such as:
* Liver function studies
* bleeding times
* cellular blood counts
* tests for other chemicals in the body
* electrolyte tests
2)Ultrasound also known as Sonography
3)Liver Biopsy
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