Alcoholic liver disease history and symptoms

Alcoholic liver disease Microchapters
Home
Patient Information
Overview
Historical Perspective
Classification
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Alcoholic liver disease from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Screening
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
Diagnostic Study of Choice
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
Electrocardiogram
X Ray
CT
MRI
Echocardiography or Ultrasound
Other Imaging Findings
Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Surgery
Primary Prevention
Secondary Prevention
Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy
Future or Investigational Therapies
Case Studies
Case #1
Alcoholic liver disease history and symptoms On the Web
Most recent articles
Most cited articles
Review articles
CME Programs
Powerpoint slides
Images
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Alcoholic liver disease history and symptoms All Images X-rays Echo & Ultrasound CT Images MRI
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse
NICE Guidance
FDA on Alcoholic liver disease history and symptoms
CDC on Alcoholic liver disease history and symptoms
Alcoholic liver disease history and symptoms in the news
Blogs on Alcoholic liver disease history and symptoms
Directions to Hospitals Treating Alcoholic liver disease
Risk calculators and risk factors for Alcoholic liver disease history and symptoms

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

History should focus on the history of alcohol use by the patient, and the history of symptoms that may have developed. Pertinent symptoms that may be reported are; an increase in abdominal girth (due to ascites, loss of appetite, gynocomastia, skin changes, excessive thirst, fatigue, nausea, hematemesis, mental confusion, and jaundice.

History

• Recent history of heavy drinking
• Chronic alcohol intake i.e. > 80 g/d in men and 40 g/d in women with alcoholic hepatitis or cirrhosis.

Symptoms

• Abdominal pain and tenderness
• Dry mouth
• Excessive thirst
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Fluid collection in the abdomen (ascites)
• Jaundice
• Loss of appetite
• Mental confusion
• Nausea
• Unintentional weight gain (because of fluid collection)

Other symptoms that can occur with this disease:

• Abnormally dark or light skin
• Agitation
• Bloody, dark black, or tarry bowel movements (melena)
• Breast development in males (gynocomastia)
• Changing mood
• Confusion (encephalopathy)

• Changed level of consciousness
• Hallucinations
• Impaired short- or long-term memory

• Difficulty paying attention (attention deficit)
• Impaired ability to concentrate
• Impaired judgment
• Light-headedness or fainting, especially when standing
• Paleness
• Tachycardia when rising to standing position
• Redness on feet or hands
• Slow, sluggish, lethargic movement
• Hematemesis or coffee-ground emesis

Symptoms vary based on the severity of the disease. They are usually worse after a recent period of heavy drinking.

2010 AASLD/ACG Alcoholic Liver Disease Guidelines : Abstinence (DO NOT EDIT)

Class I

1. " Clinicians should discuss alcohol use with patients, and any suspicion of possible abuse or excess should prompt use of a structured questionnaire and further evaluation. (Level of evidence: C) "

2. " Patients with alcoholic liver disease (ALD) and suggestive symptoms should be screened for evidence of other end-organ damage, as appropriate. (Level of evidence: C) "