Alcoholic liver disease 

Types of alcoholic liver disease

Alcohol-related Fatty Liver Disease

• Alcohol-induced fatty liver is often asymptomatic, though some individuals may experience mild, nonspecific symptoms like nausea.
• The primary feature is liver enlargement, caused by the accumulation of fat globules within hepatocytes.
• This can occur after a single episode of excessive alcohol intake, commonly referred to as binge drinking, and often resolves with abstinence.
• Other Causes of Fatty Liver
  • Obesity
  • Viral hepatitis
  • Certain medications

Alcoholic Hepatitis

• Alcoholic hepatitis is an acute inflammatory condition of the liver.
• Symptoms range from mild abdominal discomfort and fever to severe jaundice and even coma.
• Binge drinking is a common trigger, and the condition can improve if alcohol consumption ceases.
• However, persistent heavy drinking can lead to cirrhosis, especially in individuals with pre-existing liver disease.

Alcoholic Cirrhosis

• Alcoholic cirrhosis is characterized by the replacement of hepatocytes with fibrous tissue, leading to the progressive destruction of liver architecture and loss of liver function.
• It typically develops after years of heavy alcohol use, most commonly in middle-aged men.
• Cirrhosis may remain silent until complications such as
  • jaundice
  • variceal bleeding
  • ascites
  • infection
  • neuropsychiatric changes arise.

Management of Chronic Alcoholic Liver Disease

The cornerstone of managing chronic alcoholic liver disease includes:

• Strict abstinence from alcohol
• Nutritional support
• Careful prescription of medications
• Vaccination and early referral for complications