Alcoholic liver disease – treatment of disease. Symptoms and prevention of diseases of alcoholic liver disease

Alcoholic liver disease – What's it? Alcoholic liver disease is a group of different diseases, morphology, a common feature of which is the liver with structural adjustment and it impaired due to prolonged use of toxic doses of alcohol. The risk of alcoholic liver disease occurs when consuming more 30 g ethanol (ie. in terms of the various alcoholic drinks- 75 grams of vodka, 300 , wine, etc.) a day for 10 and more years.

Alcoholic liver disease: the cause of the

The cause of alcoholic liver disease is a long systematic acceptance of hepatotoxic amounts of alcohol. The above dose of alcohol may vary depending on gender, race, the original state of the liver, age, etc.. Also play an important role genetic features of alcohol metabolism in the body, in its rate of cleavage acetate- and alkogol'degidrogenazoj (the activity of the enzyme data is determined genetically). The mechanism of the toxic effects of alcohol on the liver in General is following its effects:

• It causes oxygen starvation of hepatocytes (liver cells), that violates their structure and function;
• It inhibits protein synthesis in liver cells, that leads to an increase in water content (swell) and, Consequently, liver enlargement;
• It promotes growth of connective tissue instead of dead hepatocytes (because slower regeneration, than destruction).

Risk factors for these processes are perennial or daily consumption of alcohol, genetic predisposition, gepatotropnymi disease virus infections, irrational, unbalanced (protein deficiency staple food) and over-nutrition, leading to an increase in body mass index and fatty liver.

Symptoms of alcoholic liver disease

The first five years after the defeat of the liver (at the stage of fatty liver) clinical manifestations, usually, no. Then can appear dull pain in the right hypochondrium, nausea, can decrease appetite and occur non-intensive zheltushnost' skin and mucous membranes. For clinically expressed liver lesions characteristic of several main syndromes:

• asthenic syndrome (generalized weakness, fatigue, decreased appetite, oppression, sleepiness during the day);
• cachectic syndrome (weight loss, attrition, muscle atrophy and weakness);
• dyspeptic syndrome (nausea, decreased appetite, vomiting, borborygmus, pain in okolopupochnoj region, bloating);
• hypotension (systolic blood pressure level decreases to less than 100 mmHg.);
• shortness of breath and tachycardia (increased heart rate);
• peripheral neuropathy (restriction of mobility and violation of sensitivity);
• hepatocellular insufficiency syndrome (bleeding tendency, teleangioektasia-"vascular", ikterichnost' of the skin and mucous membranes, Palmar and/or Plantar Erythema, "symptom of the hamster" – increase of the parotid salivary glands, lejkonihii, deformation of the toes and nails, the feminization of men have gynecomastia, female fat type, impotence and testicular atrophy, poor adult);
• Portal hypertension syndrome (ascites, increased spleen, varicose veins of the anterior abdominal wall is "a symptom of the head of Medusa", veins oesophagus and rectal cancer).

Alcoholic liver disease: diagnostics

In the diagnosis of alcoholic liver disease used (In addition to these objective examination, history of life and illness) the following research methods:

• General clinical blood analysis (can anemia discovered, leukocytosis, thrombocytopenia);
• biochemical blood analysis (elevated hepatic transaminase, bilirubin, alipoprotein, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, ProLine and hydroxyproline, changes of lipid and others.);
• coagulogram (incl. prothrombin index);
• coprogram;
• Ultrasonography of the abdomen;
• UPPER;
• retrograde c cholangiogram;
• elastography;
• Spiral CT and MRI;
• puncture biopsy of liver.

Alcoholic liver disease: types of disease

There are several morphological forms of alcoholic liver disease:

• steatosis (gepatos fat or alcoholic fatty liver);
• alcoholic hepatitis;
• alcoholic hepatic fibrosis;
• alcoholic cirrhosis;
• liver failure (acute or chronic).

Alcoholic liver disease: patient actions

When you see the above symptoms should seek the advice of a physician-gastroenterologist.

Alcoholic liver disease: treatment of alcoholic liver disease

In most cases, the alcoholic liver disease diagnosed at the stage of hepatitis or cirrhosis, because in such cases, treatment is symptomatic and is aimed at the prevention of complications and facilitating existing manifestations. For this purpose apply infusion therapy, hepatoprotection (essentiale) and appoint a special diet. In more severe cases apply glukokorticosteroida, ursodezoksiholevuju acid, as well as surgical treatments (until the liver transplantation).

Alcoholic liver disease: complications

There gastrointestinal bleeding, development of renal failure, peritonitis, hepatic encephalopathy, as well as malignant transformation process (gepatocellûlârnaâ cancer).

Alcoholic liver disease: prevention of alcoholic liver disease

As the prevention of alcoholic liver disease are advised not to abuse alcohol and lead a healthy lifestyle (eat rationally, to fight obesity, engage in an active lifestyle).