subject: Alcohol-Induced Hepatitis And The Threat To The Human Liver [print this page] Alcohol-Induced Hepatitis And The Threat To The Human Liver
Alcohol-induced hepatitis is a liver condition that happens when the liver becomes irritated and then inflamed due to the use - or possibly the over use - of alcohol. Alcohol-induced hepatitis, which most people just describe as alcoholic hepatitis, can naturally be confused with another disorder known as cirrhosis. They're not the same thing. But hepatitis caused by alcohol is considered to be an early stage of alcoholic liver disease.
Not all heavy drinkers get alcoholic hepatitis. Interestingly, some patients who experience hepatitis caused by alcohol use, drink only moderately.
It is possible to recover from hepatitis caused by alcohol use if you stop using alcohol. But when you have this condition, continuing to drink really increases your chance of getting cirrhosis - and eventually, liver failure. Once liver failure has occurred, you can't continue to survive without a liver transplant.
Researchers have not been able to conclude the definite connection between alcohol and hepatitis, although there are a few theories. It was recognized long ago that when you drink alcohol, it causes some toxic substances to appear in the liver. These chemicals irritate the liver, and as a result the liver becomes inflamed. Liver cells are destroyed in the process, and scar tissue replaces healthy liver tissue. The very definition of cirrhosis is scarring of the liver, and doctors consider it to be the concluding stage of alcoholic liver disease.
It also hasn't been determined why some people who drink a lot of alcohol never develop hepatitis caused by alcohol use or cirrhosis, while other individuals who only imbibe moderately do This circumstance leads researchers to presume that factors other than the use of alcohol can play a part in who eventually gets the disease. Heredity may possibly also play a role.
If you're already afflicted with liver disease, and you don't stop drinking, almost certainly have a higher risk of developing hepatitis brought on by alcohol use. This is especially true if you have hemochromotosis. Hemochromotosis is a condition in which high levels of iron collect in the body.
Poor nutrition or a lack of food may also help influence who gets hepatitis due to alcohol use. Heavy drinkers sometimes eat poorly, and will sometimes substitute alcohol for food. Alcohol also inhibits proper digestion. Improper digestion, combined with toxic by-products of alcohol, may damage liver cells and tissue.
As is true with most liver conditions, symptoms are scarce in the early stages of hepatitis brought on by alcohol use. But as the disease progresses, symptoms become more obvious. Symptoms vary but often pain and soreness in the abdomen is typical, along with ascites, in which there's a fluid accumulation in the abdomen. Abnormal thirst is typical too.
Constant fatigue, weakness and dizziness are often accompanied by cognitive problems along with moments of confusion. Occasional fever and vomiting, sometimes with blood, are also symptoms.
Even though patients with hepatitis caused by alcohol use has little desire to eat, they are likely to add noticeable weight.
The skin and eyes are likely to begin looking yellow, which may indicate jaundice, which is a classic symptom of a liver problem.
Symptoms of hepatitis brought on by alcohol use will almost undoubtedly get worse if you consume a lot of alcohol in a brief amount of time, or indulge in binge drinking.
Individuals who are experiencing these symptoms and signs should talk to their physician as soon as possible because hepatitis due to alcohol use may lead to a series of severe medical conditions, including gastrointestinal bleeding.
