Alcoholic Liver Disease

What Is Alcoholic Liver Disease?

The alcoholic liver disease (ALD) appears when the liver cells become damaged because of the prolonged and excessive alcohol consumption resulting in inflammation, and scarring. It may advance in stages fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis and with time, cirrhosis. Due to the alcohol causing nature of ALD, the condition is unique in prevention and management unlike those without alcohol.

Common Symptoms

Elderly ALD might not present any direct symptoms. It is possible that as the liver damage deteriorates, you would notice:

• Constant tiredness and groveling.
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
• Lack of moisture and over thirsting.
• Due to fluid accumulation in the abdomen (ascites) the abdomen becomes swollen.
• Alteration of nails (white spots/ ridges or clubbing)
• Lack of appetite, nausea and unwanted weight loss

Causes

The alcoholic liver disease is largely related to excessive drinking over an extended period of time. The other contributory factors are:

• Consuming over 6-8 standard beverages every day over a long period of time.
• Alcohol metabolism genetic variations.
• Poor nutrition or deficiency of protein.
• Liver disease, liver hepatitis B or C.
• Liver stress due to obesity and metabolic, which exacerbate liver stress.

Treatment Options for Alcoholic Liver Disease in Jersey Village

Processing involves a lifestyle change and medical assistance:

• Alcohol cessation: The most important step that should be engaged to involve initially counseling to quit alcohol or attend rehab programs or peer groups to quit alcohol intake are the first interventions to prevent additional liver damage.
• Nutrition and diet plan: A nutritious diet high in lean protein, fruits, vegetables, whole grain products, and healthy fats recharge the nutrients and help repair the liver.
• 7-day liver-friendly meal plan: A completed one-week menu to become healthy eater, stay properly vamped (especially the B complex) and mineralized, and eliminate processed food.
• Vitamin and supplement support: The products that will reduce inflammation: Whatever the supplements recommended by your doctor, it will include vitamin E, B vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, etc.
• Regular blood tests: To measure the progression and response to therapy, monitor liver enzymes (ALT, AST), bilirubin, albumin, and clotting factors.
• Medications: Corticosteroids or pentoxifylline can be prescribed in the select patients to decrease the inflammation of the liver and to achieve better outcomes.
• Imaging and scans: Periodical ultrasound, FibroScan or MRI to gauge liver fibrosis, prove presence or absence of fluid buildup, and complicate complications in time.
• Specialist care: Long-term treatment by a hepatologist or gastroenterologist of complex treatments, end-stage liver assessment, or transplant assessment, should it be required.