Thursday, February, 09, 2012

Alcoholic liver disease

Table of Contents

Alternative Names

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


Symptoms

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

Symptoms may not be present until the disease is advanced.

General symptoms include:

  • Abdominal pain and tenderness
  • Dry mouth and increased thirst
  • Fatigue
  • Jaundice
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea
  • Swelling or fluid buildup in the legs (edema) and in the abdomen (ascites) when cirrhosis is present
  • Weight loss

Skin changes include:

  • Abnormally dark or light skin
  • Redness on feet or hands
  • Small, red spider-like blood vessels on the skin
  • Yellow color in the skin, mucus membranes, or eyes (jaundice)

Abnormal bleeding:

  • Bloody, dark black, or tarry bowel movements (melena)
  • Nosebleeds or bleeding gums
  • Vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds

Brain and nervous system symptoms:

  • Agitation (being stirred up, excited, or irritable)
  • Changing mood
  • Confusion (encephalopathy)
    • Periods of decreased alertness or awareness
    • Hallucinations
    • Impaired short- or long-term memory
  • Pain, numbness, or tingling in the arms or legs
  • Problems paying attention or concentrating
  • Poor judgment
  • Slow, sluggish movements

Other symptoms that can occur with this disease:

  • Breast development in males
  • Light-headedness or fainting, especially when rising to standing position
  • Paleness

Signs and tests
  • Complete blood count (CBC)
  • Liver biopsy
  • Liver function tests such as ALP

Tests to rule out other diseases include:

  • Abdominal CT scan
  • Blood tests for other causes of liver disease
  • Ultrasound of the abdomen

Review Date: 12/13/2010
Reviewed By: George F Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program San Diego, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)