| Alcohol-induced hepatitis is a liver condition that happens when the liver becomes inflamed in those who consume alcoholic beverages. Alcohol-induced hepatitis, frequently simply called alcoholic hepatitis, is not the same condition as cirrhosis, although many people get them confused. But hepatitis from alcohol use is considered to be an early stage of alcoholic liver disease.
Not all heavy drinkers get hepatitis due to alcohol use. In fact, some individuals who are experience alcoholic hepatitis, are just moderate consumers of alcoholic beverages.
It is possible to recover from hepatitis brought on by alcohol use if you stop using alcohol. But when you have this disorder, the sustained use of alcohol considerably raises your chance of cirrhosis and liver failure. When the liver fails, you can't continue to live without a liver transplant.
Researchers have not been able to discover the definite connection between alcohol and hepatitis, but a variety of have been put forward. They know that when you drink alcohol, some toxic chemicals are secreted by the liver. These substances result in irritation, which in turn causes the liver to become inflamed. Liver cells are destroyed in the process, and scar tissue replaces healthy liver tissue. This scarring process is the very definition of cirrhosis. Cirrhosis is the final phase of alcoholic liver disease.
It also hasn't been determined why some drinkers who consume a lot of alcohol fail to get hepatitis brought on by alcohol use or cirrhosis, while a proportion of moderate drinkers do. This fact leads scientists to hypothesize that factors besides alcohol can have some impact on who eventually suffers the disorder. It could be that heredity has a role.
If you're already afflicted with liver disease, and you keep drinking, almost certainly have a higher chance of developing hepatitis due to alcohol use. This is especially true if you have hemochromotosis. Hemochromotosis is a problem in which disproportionate levels of iron accumulate in the body.
Nutrition - or lack of it - may perhaps also play a part in determining who gets hepatitis from alcohol use. Heavy drinkers often have poor eating habits, and will sometimes substitute alcohol for food. Alcohol also inhibits proper digestion. This may cause damage to liver cells and tissue.
As is typical of most liver problems, no symptoms present themselves in the early stages of hepatitis caused by alcohol use. But as the disease progresses, symptoms make themselves known. These symptoms are not always the same for everyone but often abdomen soreness and pain is common, along with a condition called ascites, which is an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the abdominal area. Abnormal thirst is typical too.
Constant fatigue, weakness and dizziness are often accompanied by memory problems along with moments of confusion. Occasional fever and vomiting, sometimes with blood, are also symptoms.
Even though individuals with hepatitis due to alcohol use has little appetite, they are likely to put on weight.
Yellowish skin and eyes may indicate jaundice, a telltale symptom of a liver problem.
Symptoms of alcohol-induced hepatitis in all likelihood, will get worse if you consume a lot of alcohol in a relatively short time, or go on a binge.
Individuals who are experiencing such signs and symptoms should visit a physician right away because hepatitis brought on by alcohol use may lead to a series of harmful medical conditions, including gastrointestinal bleeding.
For additional, in-depth information on this and similar topics, click on alcoholic hepatitis causes and alcohol abuse and cirrhosis of the liver causes.
Neal Kennedy is a former radio and television journalist with a special interest in health and fitness topics. |
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