Alcoholic Liver Disease Flashcards
What is alcoholic liver disease?
Excess alcohol intake causes damage to the liver cells and impairs its function
Each time the liver filters alcohol, some of the liver cells die and prolonged misuse can cause permanent damage to the liver
What are the functions of the liver?
Produces proteins
Filters toxins from the blood
helps fight infection and disease
What are the signs in alcoholic liver disease?
Ascites, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, high LFTs, jaundice, confusion, easy bleeding and bruising (purpura), leukonycia (reduced albumin)
What are some symptoms of Alcoholic Liver Disease
Most people dont have any noticeable symptoms until the liver is badly damaged. Advanced symptoms: itchy skin hair loss weight loss muscle wasting vomiting blood and black tarry stools
Why do patients with alcoholic liver disease experience jaundice?
decreased capacity of liver cells to conjugate bilirubin - mix of conjugated and unconjugated
What are some complications of liver disease?
Varices - left gastric and azygous/oesophageal leads to bleeding, caput medusa (dilated umbilical veins)
Encephalopathy - build up of ammonia –> causes confusion
Ascites due to hypoalbuminaemia and portal hypertension
Liver cancer
What is alcoholic fatty liver disease?
Build up of fat in the liver due to alcohol metabolism increasing NADH in cells and therefore increasing fatty acid synthesis. Accumulation of fatty acids –> glycerol –> TAGS
What is alcoholic hepatitis?
Inflammation of the liver due to excessive intake of alcohol
What is liver cirrhosis?
Liver cell necrosis followed by nodular regeneration and fibrosis. Bands of collagen form. Increased resistance to blood flow and decreased liver function.
What is a sign of encephalopathy?
hepatic flap
What is the lifestyle management for alcoholic liver disease?
Stop drinking
What are some symptoms of alcohol withdrawal?
Seizures Anxiety Shakiness Vomiting Tachycardia
What is the treatment for Alcoholic Liver disease?
Liver transplant when super advanced
What would be seen in blood test results in someone with cirrhosis?
Increased ALP
Increased ALT/AST ratio
Increased bilirubin
Decreased albumin - leukonycia
