Alcohol is the most common cause of chronic liver disease.
Individuals who drank heavily for more than five years develop the liver disease for the majority of the cases.
However, there is no clear-cut linear relationship between the dose and liver damage.
Risk factors
Continuous drinking is more dangerous than the binge drinking.
Females are more prone to develop the liver disease than man.
Genetics plays a role for the development of alcoholic liver disease.
Alcohol is metabolized mainly in liver. This alcohol is converted into acetaldehyde, and this acetaldehyde acts with certain protein and causes the liver cell damage.
Clinical features
Ò Most often liver is enlarged.
Ò The liver function tested may be abnormal but without any symptoms.
Ò The liver may be abnormal or enlarged.
Ò In alcoholic hepatitis, there will be jaundice.
Ò Malnutrition
Ò Hepatomegaly
Ò And if cirrhosis develops -then.
Ò The liver will be large or normal or small.
Ò There will be ascites.
Ò Cancer of liver-*(hepatocellular carcinoma)
Investigations
Blood –complete blood count- increased macrocytes in the absence of anemia.
Liver function test.
X ray chest-unexplained rib fracture, especially both sides are suggestive of alcohol misuse.
Test for the jaundice-presence of jaundice is an evidence of alcoholic hepatitis.
Liver biopsy
Treatment
General treatment
Complete stoppage alcohol. It will not only prevent the progress against the disease but along with therapies, there is a chance to complete recovery.
Good nutrition is a must.
Homeopathic treatment.
As Dr Hahnemann has pointed out if the cause is stopped there will be a cure. So after stopping alcohol and with good nutrition, and the treatment if switched on to homeopathic treatment definitely, the life span be prolonged.
Medicines that are effective for alcoholic liver diseases are Nux vom, Chelidonum, Lycopodium, Carcinosinum, etc.
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