alcoholic liver disease Flashcards
stepwise progression of alcoholic liver diease
- alcohol related fatty liver
- alcoholic hepatitis
- cirrhosis
alcohol related fatty liver
drinking leads to build-up of fat in liver
if drinking stops process reversed in ~2wks
alcoholic hepatitis
drinking alcohol over long time period causes inflammation of liver
binge drinking is assc w same effect
mild alcoholic hepatitis is usually reversible with permanent abstinence
cirrhosis
liver is made up of scar tissue rather than healthy liver tissue
this is irreversible
stopping drinking can prevent further damage
recommended alcohol ocnsumption
14units per week
CAGE questions
C- cut down? thought about it
A - annoyed if other comment on ur drinking
G: guity feelings about drinking
E; eye opener in mornibg
AUDIT questionnaire
alcohol use disorders identification test developed by WHO to screen for harmful alcohol use
complications of alcohol
alcoholic liver disease cirrhosis --> carcinoma alcohol dependence + withdrawal wernicke's, korsakoff's pancreatitis alcoholic cardimyopathy
signs of liver disease
jaundice hepatomegaly spider naevii palmar erythema gynaecomastia bruising ascites caput medusae asterixis
blood test findings: MCV
raised
blood test findings: LFTs
elavated ALT and AST
raised gamma-GT
low albumin
elevated biliruin
blood test findings: clotting
elevated prothrombin time
blood test findings: U&Es
may be derranged in hepatorenal syndrome
general management
alcohol abstinence consider detox regime nutritional support - thiamine and protein steroids Rx for complications
alcojol withdrawal symptoms
tremor, headache craving anxiety seizures delirium tremens
