Skip to main content
Alcoholic Liver Disease - Why Worry?
Gastroenterology and Hepatobiliary Sciences

Alcoholic Liver Disease - Why Worry?

Dr. Debasis Datta Oct 10, 2019
The alcoholic liver disease remains an important cause of Liver related mortality in India. Chronic intake of large quantities of alcohol causes damage to many organs, the liver being the most often affected one.
Alcoholic liver disease may take the form of chronic illness, initially causing fatty liver followed by chronic hepatitis and subsequently leading to fibrosis (scarring) and cirrhosis. Acute involvement can cause alcoholic hepatitis, which may be life-threatening too.
Whereas only fatty liver is a relatively benign illness, the presence of cirrhosis of the liver means major life expectancy shortening. The actual stage of cirrhosis depends on the presence of complications -portal hypertension with bleeding oesophageal varices (vomiting of blood), ascites (distension of abdomen), or hepatic encephalopathy (confusion, coma).
The median survival time of patients with advanced cirrhosis is 6 -18 months. Serious alcoholic hepatitis has a mortality record of up to 50%.
Complete abstinence is absolutely essential for any treatment of alcoholic liver disease, the other therapeutic procedure is of a supportive nature. Steroids can be used in the management of serious alcoholic hepatitis. Cirrhotic patients who demonstrably stop drinking alcohol can be considered for transplantation leading to a markedly prolonged life expectancy.

Am I drinking too much?

he ‘CAGE’ criterion which consists of four questions occurring within a patient’s lifetime continues to be used commonly as a practical means of screening for alcoholism.
  • Have you felt the need to Cut down on drinking?
  • Have you ever felt Annoyed by criticism of drinking?
  • Have you had Guilty feelings about drinking?
  • Do you ever take a morning Eye opener?
A positive response to at least two questions is seen in the majority of patients with alcoholism and to all four questions in around 50%. In comparison, over 80% of non-alcoholics have a negative response to all four questions.

Categories

Clear all

Meet the doctor

Dr. Debasis Datta.png
Dr. Debasis Datta
DIRECTOR GASTROENTEROLOGY | FHKI Gariahat
  • Gastroenterology and Hepatobiliary Sciences | Gastroenterology
  • Date 35 Years
  • INR 1500
Map Available at 1 different locations Arrow
Fortis Anandapur

Related Blogs

View all
When Is A Liver Transplant Recommended?
Gastroenterology and Hepatobiliary Sciences

When Is A Liver Transplant Recommended?

Dr. Arvind Sahni Dec 18, 2020
Binge Drinking Trend Is The New Silent Killer
Gastroenterology and Hepatobiliary Sciences

Binge Drinking Trend Is The New Silent Killer

Binge Drinking Trend Is The New Silent Killer Oct 10, 2019
Love Your Liver
Gastroenterology and Hepatobiliary Sciences

Love Your Liver

Love Your Liver Aug 27, 2019
Get Rid of Stomach Troubles
Gastroenterology and Hepatobiliary Sciences

Get Rid of Stomach Troubles

Get Rid of Stomach Troubles Nov 18, 2014
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Gastroenterology and Hepatobiliary Sciences

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Dr. Ajay Bhalla May 26, 2014
Digestive Disorders And Prevention
Gastroenterology and Hepatobiliary Sciences

Digestive Disorders And Prevention

Dr. Ajay Bhalla May 21, 2014

Quick Enquiry Form

barqut

Keep track of your appointments, get updates & more!

app-store google-play
Request callback