Alcohol Related Disease

Question 1

Effects of alcohol on the liver

Answer 1

Encephalopathy
Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis
Alcoholic hepatitis

Question 2

Steatosis

Answer 2

Fatty liver

Question 3

Steatohepatitis

Answer 3

Fatty liver with inflammation resulting in neutrophil infiltration

Question 4

Fibrosis/cirrhosis in the liver

Answer 4

Build up of scar tissue from steatohepatitis

Question 5

Signs of early liver disease

Answer 5

Majority no physical findings until advanced liver disease

Question 6

Signs of chronic liver disease

Answer 6

Spider naevi
Palmar erythema
Gynaecomastia
Loss of axillary and pubic hair
Ascites
Encephalopathy
Jaundice 
Muscle wasting

Question 7

Palmar erythema

Answer 7

Palms of both hands become reddish

Question 8

Ascites

Answer 8

Abnormal build up of fluid in the peritoneal cavity

Question 9

Pathological cause of encephalopathy

Answer 9

No longer able to process toxins which then build up in the blood stream and enter the brain causing both physical and mental changes

Question 10

Lab testing for liver disease

Answer 10

Platelet count (alcohol affects bone marrow and so will result in a low platelet count)
Ultrasound scan for fatty liver

Question 11

Grading of hepatic encephalopathy

Answer 11

1 - mild confusion

4 - coma

Question 12

Causes of encephalopathy

Answer 12

Infection
Drugs
Constipation
GI bleed
Electrolyte disturbance

Question 13

For encephalopathy, exclude

Answer 13

Infection
Hypoglycaemia
Intra Cranial Bleed

Question 14

Treatment of hepatic encephalopathy

Answer 14

Bowel clear out => lactulose/enemas
Antibiotics
Supportive => ITU + airway support, nasogastric tube for meds