Alcohol related disease Flashcards
what are signs of chronic liver disease ?
spider naevi palmar erythema gynaecomastia loss of axillary and pubic hair ascites encephalopathy
what causes hepatic encephalopathy ?
infection drugs constipation GI bleed electrolyte disturbance
what should be excluded when assessing hepatic encephalopathy ?
infection
hypoglycaemia
intra cranial bleed
how do you treat hepatic encephalopathy ?
bowel clear out - lactulose, enemas
antibiotics
supportive - ITU, NG tube
how does spontaneous bacterial peritonitis present ?
abdominal pain
fever, rigors
renal impairment
signs of sepsis, tachycardia, temperature
how is bacterial peritonitis diagnosed and what does the test typically show ?
ascitic tap with fluid protein, glucose levels and culture
high white cell count
low albumin
how is bacterial peritonitis treated ?
IV antibiotics
ascitic fluid drainage
IV albumin infusion
how does alcoholic hepatitis present ?
jaundice
encephalopathy
infection common
decompensated liver function - low albumin, raised prothrombin time
how is alcoholic hepatitis diagnosed ?
raised bilirubin
raised GGT and AlkP
alcohol history
how is alcoholic hepatitis treated ?
supportive - treat infection, encephalopathy, alcohol withdrawl
airway protection
nutritional
what causes fatty liver ?
obesity
diabetes
hypercholesterolaemia
how is fatty liver detected ?
usually asymptomatic
raised AAT
fatty liver on USS
liver biopsy
how is fatty liver disease treated ?
weight loss
exercise
what is a complication of fatty liver disease ?
cirrhosis
