Alcoholic hepatitis: what it is, symptoms and treatment

Alcoholic hepatitis is inflammation of the liver caused by prolonged and excessive use of alcoholic beverages, which leads to the appearance of symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite, for example.

The diagnosis of alcoholic hepatitis is made by a hepatologist or general practitioner taking into account the symptoms presented by the person and lifestyle habits, in addition to indicating tests that allow the functioning of the liver to be assessed and to check for signs of inflammation.

Acute alcoholic hepatitis can be cured, in most cases, as long as the person stops drinking alcohol and undergoes treatment with medication prescribed by a hepatologist or general practitioner, in order to avoid serious complications, such as cirrhosis or liver failure.

Symptoms of alcoholic hepatitis

The main symptoms of alcoholic hepatitis are:

• Abdominal pain on the right side;
• Yellow skin and eyes, a condition called jaundice;
• Swelling of the body, especially in the belly;
• Loss of appetite;
• Excessive tiredness;
• Nausea and vomiting;
• Weight loss without apparent cause;
• Enlargement of the liver and spleen, which can be seen through an increase in abdominal volume.

Therefore, it is very important to consult a hepatologist as soon as possible whenever symptoms of liver problems appear so that treatment can be started immediately, increasing the chances of a cure.

How is the diagnosis

The diagnosis of alcoholic hepatitis is made by a hepatologist or general practitioner through laboratory tests, such as enzyme levels that assess liver function and a complete blood count. In addition, the doctor may recommend imaging tests, such as abdominal ultrasound, to check for changes in the liver and spleen. See more about tests that evaluate the liver.

In addition to the exams, the doctor must take into account the patient’s history at the time of diagnosis, and it is important to know whether the person used alcoholic beverages, frequency and quantity.

Make an appointment with your nearest doctor to assess the possibility of hepatitis:

How the treatment is carried out

Treatment for alcoholic hepatitis must be guided by a hepatologist or general practitioner and may vary according to the severity of the disease. Treatment aims to prevent disease progression, alleviate symptoms and reduce liver inflammation.

1. Alcohol withdrawal

Stopping drinking alcoholic beverages is the main step in treating alcoholic hepatitis. In many cases, there is a significant improvement in inflammation and fat accumulation in the liver, which can sometimes be enough to cure hepatitis.

However, in other cases, inflammation may only improve as liver disease persists, requiring the doctor to combine other treatments. Even in these cases, stopping alcohol consumption is essential for the disease to progress more slowly and to increase lifespan.

2. Food care

Malnutrition, with a lack of calories, proteins and vitamins, is common in people with alcoholic hepatitis. Therefore, guidance from a nutritionist is very important, who can recommend a diet rich in the necessary calories, which should be around 2,000 kcal per day, the intake of amino acids and proteins and supplementation of vitamins and minerals such as thiamine, folic acid, vitamin A, vitamin D, pyridoxine and zinc, for example. Check out more details about the hepatitis diet.

3. Use of medications

Some specific medications may be recommended by the doctor for the treatment of alcoholic hepatitis, such as corticosteroids, which have an anti-inflammatory action, protecting liver cells against the toxic action of alcohol.

Other medications with immune action, such as anti-TNF, or circulatory drugs, such as Pentoxifylline, may be indicated. Furthermore, medications such as ursodeoxycholic acid, S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine and Phosphatidylcholine appear to have hepatoprotective effects.

Other therapies have been tested or can be reserved for specific cases of alcoholic hepatitis, and should always be recommended by a gastro or hepatologist.

4. Liver transplant

Liver transplantation may be indicated for people who have liver disease that reaches an advanced stage, that does not improve with clinical treatment or that progresses to liver failure and cirrhosis. Understand how a liver transplant is performed.