Ethanol Induced Hepatic Cirrhosis - Symptoms, Causes and Treatment of Ethanol Induced Hepatic Cirrhosis

Alcoholic hepatitis is a syndrome of progressive inflammatory liver injury associated with long-term heavy intake of ethanol. The pathogenesis is not completely understood.

Patients who are severely affected present with subacute onset of fever, hepatomegaly, leukocytosis, marked impairment of liver function (eg, jaundice, coagulopathy), and manifestations of portal hypertension (eg, ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, variceal hemorrhage). However, milder forms of alcoholic hepatitis often do not cause any symptoms.

Alcoholic hepatitis is a syndrome of progressive inflammatory liver injury associated with long-term heavy intake of ethanol. Heavy alcohol use is a prerequisite for the development of alcoholic hepatitis. Cirrhotic patients can have a multiplicity of problems including gastrointestinal bleeding, congestive heart failure, peptic ulcer disease, malnutrition, and other complications as a direct result of their inadequate liver function, or from the direct toxic effects of the ethanol molecule on the body tissues.

Symptoms of Hepatic Cirrhosis

• Abdominal pain and swelling,
• Vomiting
• Jaundice
• Muscle weakness
• Patients with alcoholic cirrhosis have FREQUENT episodes gastrointestinal bleeding
• Liver dysfunction leads to blood clotting abnormalities and anemia.

Treatment options for Ethanol induced Hepatic Cirrhosis

1. Cessation of alcohol use is the mainstay of treatment of alcoholic hepatitis
2. PEM is almost universal in patients hospitalized for alcoholic hepatitis.
3. Improved energy and protein intake may improve the survival rate in patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis
4. Orthotopic liver transplantation is widely used in patients with end-stage liver disease

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