Symptoms of Alcoholic liver disease
Symptoms of Alcoholic liver disease
The list of signs and symptoms mentioned in various sources
for Alcoholic liver disease includes the 7
symptoms listed below:
Research symptoms & diagnosis of Alcoholic liver disease:
Alcoholic liver disease: Complications
Review medical complications possibly associated with Alcoholic liver disease:
Alcoholic liver disease Symptoms: Book Excerpts
Research More About Alcoholic liver disease
Do I have Alcoholic liver disease?
Home Diagnostic Testing
Home medical tests related to Alcoholic liver disease:
Wrongly Diagnosed with Alcoholic liver disease?
The list of other diseases or medical conditions
that may be on the differential diagnosis list of alternative diagnoses
for Alcoholic liver disease includes:
See the full list of 15
alternative diagnoses for Alcoholic liver disease
Alcoholic liver disease: Research Doctors & Specialists
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More about symptoms of Alcoholic liver disease:
More information about symptoms of Alcoholic liver disease and related conditions:
Other Possible Causes of these Symptoms
Click on any of the symptoms below to see a full list
of other causes including diseases, medical conditions, toxins, drug interactions,
or drug side effect causes of that symptom.
Medical Books Online about Alcoholic liver disease
Medical Books Excerpts
Excerpts of published medical book chapters related to Alcoholic liver disease
are available from published medical books
for more detailed information about Alcoholic liver disease.
Medical Books Excerpts
- ASCITES
- "Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs" (2003)
- [ read ]
- JAUNDICE
- "Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs" (2003)
- [ read ]
- Ascites
- "In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
- [ read ]
- JAUNDICE
- "Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care" (2007)
- [ read ]
- Jaundice
- "Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition)" (2006)
- [ read ]
- Ascites
- "A Pocket Manual of Differential Diagnosis" (1999)
- [ read ]
- Jaundice
- "A Pocket Manual of Differential Diagnosis" (1999)
- [ read ]
- Hepatomegaly
- "Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition)" (2006)
- [ read ]
- Ascites
- "The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter" (2000)
- [ read ]
- Hepatomegaly
- "The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter" (2000)
- [ read ]
- Jaundice
- "The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter" (2000)
- [ read ]
- Jaundice
- "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
- [ read ]
- Hepatomegaly
- "The Diagnostic Approach to Symptoms and Signs in Pediatrics" (2006)
- [ read ]
- Jaundice
- "The Diagnostic Approach to Symptoms and Signs in Pediatrics" (2006)
- [ read ]
- JAUNDICE
- "Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care" (2007)
- [ read ]
Copyright notice for book excerpts: Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.
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Patient Surveys for Alcoholic liver disease
Symptoms of Alcoholic liver disease: Online Medical Books
16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE!
Review excerpts from medical books online, free, without registration,
for more information about the symptoms of Alcoholic liver disease.
Alcohol-related disorder:
Signs and symptoms
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
Because the person with alcohol dependence may hide or deny his addiction, and may temporarily manage to maintain a functional life, assessing for alcohol-related disorder can be difficult. Note physical and psychosocial symptoms that suggest alcohol-related disorder. For example, the patient’s history may suggest a need for daily or episodic alcohol use to maintain adequate functioning, an inability to discontinue or reduce alcohol intake, episodes of anesthesia or amnesia (blackouts) during intoxication, episodes of violence during intoxication, and interference with social and familial relationships and occupational responsibilities. Many minor complaints may be alcohol-related. The patient may report malaise, dyspepsia, mood swings or depression, and an increased incidence of infection. Observe the patient for poor personal hygiene and untreated injuries, such as cigarette burns, fractures, and bruises, that he can’t fully explain. Note any evidence of an unusually high tolerance of sedatives and opioids.
Although each person abusing alcohol may present in his own unique way, secretive or manipulative behavior may be a manifestation of the patient’s denial of the severity of his addiction. Suspect alcohol-related disorder if the patient uses inordinate amounts of aftershave or mouthwash. When confronted, the patient may deny or rationalize the problem. Alternatively, he may be guarded or hostile in his response and may even sign out of the hospital against medical advice. He also may project his anger or feelings of guilt or inadequacy onto others to avoid confronting his illness.
Chronic alcohol abuse brings with it an array of physical complications, including malnutrition, cirrhosis of the liver, peripheral neuropathy, brain damage, and cardiomyopathy. Assess for these complications in a patient with alcohol-related disorder. (See Complications of alcohol use.)
After abstinence or reduction of alcohol intake, signs and symptoms of withdrawal — which begin shortly after drinking has stopped and last for 5 to 7 days — may vary. The patient initially experiences anorexia, nausea, anxiety, fever, insomnia, diaphoresis, and tremor, progressing to severe tremulousness, agitation and, possibly, hallucinations and violent behavior. Major motor seizures (alcohol withdrawal seizures) can occur during withdrawal. Suspect alcohol-related disorder in any patient with unexplained seizures. (See Signs and symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.)
ELDER TIP Remember to consider the possibility of alcohol abuse when evaluating older patients. Research suggests that alcoholism affects 2% to 10% of adults older than age 60. More than half of all elderly hospital admissions are due to alcohol-related problems.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Cirrhosis and fibrosis:
Signs and symptoms
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
Clinical manifestations of cirrhosis and fibrosis are similar for all types, regardless of the cause. Early indications are vague, but usually include GI signs and symptoms (anorexia, indigestion, nausea, vomiting, constipation, or diarrhea) and a dull abdominal ache. Major and late signs and symptoms develop as a result of hepatic insufficiency and portal hypertension:
❑ Respiratory — pleural effusion and limited thoracic expansion due to abdominal ascites, interfering with efficient gas exchange and leading to hypoxia
❑ Central nervous system — progressive signs or symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy — lethargy, mental changes, slurred speech, asterixis (flapping tremor), peripheral neuritis, paranoia, hallucinations, extreme obtundation, and coma
❑ Hematologic — bleeding tendencies (nosebleeds, easy bruising, and bleeding gums) and anemia
❑ Endocrine — testicular atrophy, menstrual irregularities, gynecomastia, and loss of chest and axillary hair
❑ Skin — severe pruritus, extreme dryness, poor tissue turgor, abnormal pigmentation, spider angiomas, palmar erythema, and possibly jaundice
❑ Hepatic — jaundice, hepatomegaly, ascites, edema of the legs, hepatic encephalopathy, and hepatorenal syndrome comprise the other major effects of full-fledged cirrhosis
❑ Miscellaneous — musty breath, enlarged superficial abdominal veins, muscle atrophy, pain in the right upper abdominal quadrant that worsens when the patient sits up or leans forward, palpable liver or spleen, and temperature of 101° to 103° F (38.3° to 39.4° C). Bleeding from esophageal varices results from portal hypertension.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Alcoholism:
Signs and symptoms
(Handbook of Diseases)
Because people with alcohol dependence may hide or deny their addiction and may temporarily manage to maintain a functional life, assessing a patient for alcoholism can be difficult. However, there are various physical and psychosocial symptoms that can facilitate assessment.
The patient’s history may suggest a need for daily or episodic alcohol use to maintain adequate functioning, an inability to discontinue or reduce alcohol intake, episodes of anesthesia or amnesia (blackouts) during intoxication, episodes of violence during intoxication, or interference with social and familial relationships and occupational responsibilities.
Many minor complaints that the patient may have may also be alcohol related. He may mention malaise, dyspepsia, mood swings, depression, or more infections. Note any evidence of an unusually high tolerance for sedatives and narcotics.
Secretive behavior is another indication. When confronted, the patient may deny or rationalize his problem with alcohol. Alternatively, he may be guarded or hostile in his response. He also may project his anger or feelings of guilt or inadequacy onto others to avoid confronting his illness.
With chronic alcohol abuse, the patient may experience malnutrition, cirrhosis of the liver, peripheral neuropathy, brain damage, or cardiomyopathy.
After abstaining from alcohol or significantly reducing his intake, the patient may experience signs and symptoms of withdrawal, and they may last for 5 to 7 days. The patient initially experiences anorexia, nausea, anxiety, fever, insomnia, diaphoresis, and tremor, progressing to severe tremulousness, agitation and, possibly, hallucinations and violent behavior. Major tonic-clonic seizures (known as rum fits) can occur during withdrawal. Suspect alcoholism in any patient with unexplained seizures.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003
Cirrhosis:
Signs and symptoms
(Handbook of Diseases)
Signs and symptoms of cirrhosis and fibrosis are similar for all types, regardless of cause. Early indications are insidious and vague but usually include weakness, fatigue, muscle cramps, weight loss, GI signs and symptoms (anorexia, indigestion, nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea), and abdominal pain (which may be attributed to an enlarged liver).
Major and late signs and symptoms develop as a result of hepatic insufficiency and portal hypertension and include the following:
❑ respiratory — pleural effusion and limited thoracic expansion because of abdominal ascites, interfering with efficient gas exchange and leading to hypoxia
❑ central nervous system — progressive signs and symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy: lethargy, mental changes, slurred speech, asterixis (flapping tremor), peripheral neuritis, paranoia, hallucinations, extreme obtundation, and coma
❑ hematologic — bleeding tendencies (nosebleeds, easy bruising, bleeding gums), anemia, and hematemesis
❑ endocrine — testicular atrophy, menstrual irregularities, gynecomastia, loss of chest and axillary hair, loss of libido, and sterility
❑ skin — severe pruritus, extreme dryness, poor tissue turgor, abnormal pigmentation, spider nevi (on upper half of body), palmar erythema, jaundice, and peripheral edema
❑ hepatic — jaundice, hepatomegaly, ascites, edema of the legs, hepatic encephalopathy, and hepatorenal syndrome constitute the other major effects of full-fledged cirrhosis
❑ miscellaneous — musty breath, enlarged superficial abdominal veins, muscle atrophy, pain in the right upper abdominal quadrant that worsens when the patient sits up or leans forward, splenomegaly, and wasting appearance of chronic illness. Fever may be present and usually associated with portal hepatitis, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, or cholangitis. Bleeding from esophageal and rectal varices results from portal hypertension.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003
Cirrhosis:
Cirrhosis - signs & symptoms
(The 5-Minute Pediatric Consult)
- Compensated (latent) cirrhosis: Asymptomatic, with no signs or symptoms of liver disease. Discovered incidentally either during routine physical examinations with an enlarged liver and/or palpable spleen, or as a result of an investigation for an unrelated condition.
- Decompensated (active) cirrhosis: As cirrhosis progresses, overt signs and symptoms may occur including failure to thrive, muscle weakness, fatigue, fever, jaundice, pruritus, edema, abdominal pain, ascites, steatorrhea, and spontaneous bleeding (i.e., epistaxis) or bruising. This stage may also present with acute, precipitous liver failure or a life-threatening complication such as an esophageal variceal hemorrhage.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: The 5-Minute Pediatric Consult, 2008
Article Excerpts About Symptoms of Alcoholic liver disease:
Some drinkers develop alcoholic
hepatitis, or inflammation of the liver, as a result of long-term heavy
drinking. Its symptoms include fever, jaundice (abnormal yellowing of the
skin, eyeballs, and urine), and abdominal pain. Alcoholic hepatitis can
cause death if drinking continues. (Source: excerpt from Alcohol What You Don't Know Can Harm You: NIAAA)
Medical articles and books on symptoms:
These general reference articles may be of interest
in relation to medical signs and symptoms of disease in general:
Full list of premium articles on symptoms and diagnosis
About signs and symptoms of Alcoholic liver disease:
The symptom information on this page
attempts to provide a list of some possible signs and symptoms of Alcoholic liver disease.
This signs and symptoms information for Alcoholic liver disease has been gathered from various sources,
may not be fully accurate,
and may not be the full list of Alcoholic liver disease signs or Alcoholic liver disease symptoms.
Furthermore, signs and symptoms of Alcoholic liver disease may vary on an individual basis for each patient.
Only your doctor can provide adequate diagnosis of any signs or symptoms and whether they
are indeed Alcoholic liver disease symptoms.
Most people know that alcohol abuse can cause liver damage. But what exactly does alcohol do to your liver? And how much alcohol puts you at risk?...
For the millions of Americans that suffer from alcoholism, accepting their diagnosis is an important first step. But making it through treatment can...
Alcoholism is a widespread disease. Unfortunately, many sufferers are not aware that they are have a problem. What are the symptoms of alcoholism?...
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See full list of 12 related videos
» Next page: Diagnostic Tests for Alcoholic liver disease
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