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You are here : 3-RX.com > Medical Encyclopedia > Diseases and Conditions > Alcoholic Liver Disease: Symptoms & Signs
      Category : Health Centers > Alcoholism

Alcoholic Liver Disease

Alternate Names : Alcoholic Fatty Liver, Alcoholic Hepatitis, Alcoholic Cirrhosis

Alcoholic Liver Disease | Symptoms & Signs | Diagnosis & Tests | Prevention & Expectations | Treatment & Monitoring

What are the signs and symptoms of the disease?

Alcoholic fatty liver often causes no symptoms. The disease may not be found until the person sees a healthcare provider for another medical condition. Symptoms can include an enlarged liver and sometimes tenderness when the liver is touched.

Symptoms from alcoholic hepatitis can range from mild to critical and may include:

  • fever
  • loss of appetite
  • abdominal distress
  • nausea and vomiting
  • weight loss
  • diarrhea
  • jaundice, or yellowing of the eyes and skin
  • There can be liver failure and death in severe cases.

    Alcoholic cirrhosis usually takes at least 10 years or more of excessive drinking to develop. The symptoms develop slowly. The liver shrinks and is scarred, firm, and nodular. Scarring around the veins in the liver causes blood to find other routes of flow. This leads to big, swollen veins in the throat, rectum, abdomen, and chest. Common symptoms of alcoholic cirrhosis include:

  • weakness and fatigue
  • loss of appetite
  • weight loss
  • loss of muscle mass and muscle cramps
  • jaundice, or yellowing of the eyes and skin
  • swelling of the legs
  • ascites, or swelling of the abdomen from fluid accumulation
  • nausea and vomiting
  • loss of body hair, lowered sex drive, and shrinkage of the testes in men
  • increased facial hair, a deep voice, and menstrual problems in women

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    Alcoholic Liver Disease: Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors

     

    Alcoholic Liver Disease: Diagnosis & Tests

    Author: Susan Woods, MD
    Reviewer: Eileen McLaughlin, RN, BSN
    Date Reviewed: 07/13/01



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