Health's Book

Definition

Alcoholic liver disease is damage to the liver and its function due to alcohol abuse.
See also:

• Ascites
• Cirrhosis
• Alcoholism
• Bleeding varices
• Hepatic encelphalopathy

Symptoms

Symptoms vary based on the severity of the disease. They are usually worse after a recent period of heavy drinking. Disease changes start in the liver as inflammation (hepatitis) and lead to fatty liver and cirrhosis. Cirrhosis is the final phase of alcoholic liver disease.

Symptoms may not be present until the disease is advanced, and may include:

• Abdominal pain and tenderness
• Dry mouth
• Excessive thirst
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Fluid collection in the abdomen (ascites)
• Jaundice
• Loss of appetite
• Mental confusion
• Nausea
• Unintentional weight gain (because of fluid collection)

Other symptoms that can occur with this disease:

• Abnormally dark or light skin
• Agitation
• Bloody, dark black, or tarry bowel movements (melena)
• Breast development in males
• Changing mood
• Confusion (encephalopathy)
• Changed level of consciousness
• Hallucinations
• Impaired short- or long-term memory
• Difficulty paying attention (attention deficit)
• Impaired ability to concentrate
• Impaired judgment
• Light-headedness or fainting, especially when standing
• Paleness
• Rapid heart rate (tachycardia) when rising to standing position
• Redness on feet or hands
• Slow, sluggish, lethargic movement
• Vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds