Alcoholic Hepatitis and How to Protect Your Liver? Symptoms, Causes, Management & More

from healthella

Many patients diagnosed with alcoholic hepatitis are surprised to learn that their liver problems were caused by consuming too much alcohol. But alcoholic hepatitis is a disease that can progress quickly, causing irreversible liver damage.

It’s essential for anyone who has this condition to seek medical help as soon as possible. Alcoholic hepatitis is a severe alcoholic liver disease that occurs after long-term heavy drinking. Symptoms may include fever, weight loss, fatigue, and yellowing of the skin and eyes.

Alcoholic hepatitis is not the same as liver cirrhosis, a condition that affects the entire liver and causes scarring and damage that prevents it from working correctly. But let’s review the most critical aspects of this condition.

In this blog post, we’ll explore everything you need to know about alcoholic hepatitis.

What is Alcoholic Hepatitis?

Alcoholic hepatitis is a severe medical condition caused by alcohol abuse and overconsumption. It is a liver inflammation that can lead to scarring and permanent damage, such as cirrhosis. Alcoholic hepatitis is the most severe form of alcoholic liver disease (ALD). It is the leading cause of liver-related death in the United States.

Long-term alcohol abuse can lead to alcoholic hepatitis, as the liver cannot break down the alcohol, and its by-products are toxic to the body. It is estimated that approximately 10-35% of heavy drinkers will develop alcoholic hepatitis, and the risk increases with the amount and duration of alcohol consumed. However, some patients may have a higher risk than others, and in some cases, they can develop very severe diseases with many complications.

Epidemiology of Alcoholic Hepatitis

The epidemiology of alcoholic hepatitis is a topic of great relevance due to the large number of individuals affected by this condition. The prevalence of alcoholic hepatitis is higher in males than females, with a male-to-female ratio of 3:1. However, women are more susceptible to the harmful effects of alcohol.

Alcoholic hepatitis is most commonly seen in individuals aged between 30 and 40. In terms of geographic distribution, it is most common in the United States, where it is estimated that up to 5 million people are affected by the condition. It is also seen in Europe, Australia, and other parts of the world.