Alcoholic Liver Cirrhosis

Alcoholic liver cirrhosis is a late stage of fibrosis of the liver caused by many forms of liver diseases and conditions, such as chronic alcoholism. A person diagnosed with an alcoholic liver case may start from having fatty liver disease, then alcoholic hepatitis, and ultimately develop alcoholic cirrhosis. Hence, alcoholic liver cirrhosis stages in three levels. The diagnosed liver cirrhosis can be of two types :

1. Compensated cirrhosis – when symptoms are not noticeable
2. Uncompensated cirrhosis- when the symptoms can be noticed

The most common alcoholic liver causes are:

• Chronic alcohol consumption
• Chronic hepatitis
• Fatty liver disease
• Iron buildup in the body or hemochromatosis
• Copper accumulated in the liver (Wilson’s disease)
• Cystic fibrosis
• Biliary Atresia
• Inherited sugar metabolism or digestive disorders
• Infection like syphilis

Many other factors like the destruction of bile ducts(Primary Biliary Cirrhosis) or leaky gut also called, increased intestinal permeability are cofactors for the development of alcoholic liver cirrhosis.

Now, let us have a look at alcoholic liver cirrhosis symptoms:

• Food pipe problems
• Portal hypertension
• Jaundice
• Swelling in legs (oedema) and abdomen (ascites)
• Bleeding in mouth
• Confusion, poor memory, loss of appetite
• Patchy red skin on palms (erythema)

Food pipe problem is also known as esophageal varices. Kidney failure and hypersplenism are other complications that happen due to this medical condition. If the symptoms are not taken seriously, then this deficient liver may arise a life-threatening situation. Hence, a person needs to keep a track of these indicators as if these signs are caught early and treated, it may slow down the progression of the disease.

How to treat alcoholic liver cirrhosis:

The first and foremost step in treatments is to help the patient to cease alcohol consumption. Medications like corticosteroids, calcium channel blockers, insulin can also be prescribed by the doctor as per the alcoholic liver care plan. Hepatologists may advise the patient to follow an alcoholic liver disease diet inclusive of fiber and protein. If the condition of the patient gets worsened, then the hepatologist may have to suggest a liver transplant surgery.

Dr. Nivedita Pandey is one of the best liver specialist doctors in Patna, Bihar. She is a well-renowned liver specialist doctor in Delhi, the best stomach doctor in Patna, the best gastroenterologist in Jammu, and a notable stomach doctor in Faridabad. Now, you can sway off all your gastroenterological worries online by booking an online gastroenterologist consultation with one of the best hepatologists in India. She is a liver specialist in Delhi NCR, one of the finest gastroenterologists in Jhansi and Jammu, and an acidity specialist doctor in Patna. Dr. Pandey’s gastroenterologist live chat has also helped people in several ways.

This alcoholic liver case study presents a patient with liver cirrhosis. A 43-year-old man was brought into the hospital with a complaints of loss of appetite, abdominal distention, and arrhythmia. He also experienced itchy skin and blood in the stool. The patient’s family rushed him into the hospital, and he was in a half-conscious state. The patient was taken to the emergency room for evaluation. As told by the family, he had a past medical history and was a heavy alcohol consumer. This alcoholic liver case history consisted of various medical ailments like fatty liver, asthma, tuberculosis, malnutrition, hypertension, and hepatitis C. The patient had a heart attack three years back and stented for the same. Due to his health conditions, he was on several medications. In the emergency room, when the patient was under observation by a stomach specialist doctor in Patna and her team, they were able to diagnose from his symptoms that it was alcoholic liver cirrhosis. The patient went for a few scans including, a liver function test, liver ultrasound, and endoscopy along with CT, blood test, and urine tests.

Though most of the liver cirrhosis causes remain unknown, with the help of her team, the best liver doctor and specialist in Patna was able to find out the reason for this one. The liver cirrhosis caused in this case was due to the medical history of the patient. His scans came out to be reasonably sound, and a liver biopsy was conducted to confirm the severity and type of liver disease. There were problems in his blood and urine culture, and they were taken care of by the team. His liver appeared swollen in the reports. There were certain other problems seen in his ultrasound and endoscopy. The crew decided to start with the treatment while keeping him under observation for the next 72 hours.

He was initially confused and was not able to respond or hear properly. According to the condition reported by his family i.e.- appetite loss, memory loss, and confusion were some other clinical symptoms of alcoholic liver cirrhosis. When the doctor talked to the family of the patient, she was able to get a clearer picture. The patient complained about acute abdominal pain. When Dr. Pandey, one of the best doctors in Patna for the stomach, observed the patient and talked to him, she noticed bleeding in his mouth. This further helped doctors to eliminate all doubts, and after looking at the lab results, they made out it was alcoholic liver cirrhosis.

The first and foremost management required when treating the alcoholic liver cirrhosis case is calming the patient down. The liver specialist with the help of her fellow doctors was able to counsel the patient and explain his medical condition to the family. After a complete diagnosis, the patient was taken to the ICU as he was under observation. The doctor prescribed him antioxidant drugs and insulin to control any future problems while treating the present one. The doctor is the best gastroenterologist in Faridabad, Delhi, and Patna, and she handled the situation well before any further complications. The patient got his discharge in due time and was sent back home in a healthy and sound condition.

1.   Which Group of People are More Likely to get diagnosed with alcoholic liver cirrhosis?

A person who has drunk heavily for a long time is more prone to acquire this disease. Women are also at risk for this medical disease due to the absence of many enzymes which break down alcohol particles.

Consider consulting the best gastroenterologist in India, Dr. Nivedita Pandey who is also well known for her nutritional counselling services and teleconsultation services. She is also famous for her care from afar service. You can also find her as the best liver specialist doctor in Patna, Bihar or hepatologist in Patna or the best doctor for hepatitis b in Patna, a gastroenterologist in Faridabad, the best gastro doctor in Delhi, NCR, a gastroenterologist In Uttarakhand, a liver specialist in Jhansi, best gastroenterologist in Jammu take advantage of the online gastroenterology consultation to gastroenterologist live chat and receive the best treatment that your body deserves!

2.   Is liver cirrhosis cancer?

No, liver cirrhosis is not a type of cancer. If a person has alcoholic liver cirrhosis, he/she has an increased risk of liver cancer.

3.   Is liver cirrhosis a hereditary disease?

Negative, alcoholic liver cirrhosis is not a hereditary disease, rather it is a type of an acquired disease.