Liver Specialist Oleg Argunov Discusses Symptoms of Liver Disease

Liver Specialist Oleg Argunov Discusses Symptoms of Liver Disease

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is a serious condition that can have severe consequences if left untreated. The disease typically progresses in stages, starting with fatty liver disease, moving on to alcoholic hepatitis, and ultimately leading to cirrhosis if alcohol consumption continues.

In the early stages, ALD may not cause noticeable symptoms, but as it progresses, fatigue and weakness can become more prominent. These symptoms can worsen over time, especially after alcohol consumption or large meals. Another characteristic symptom is upper abdominal pain, often felt in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen. In advanced stages, this pain can become persistent and constant.

One of the most noticeable signs of ALD is jaundice, which is characterized by the yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes. This condition can also lead to dark urine and pale stool in patients. Diarrhea and vomiting are also common in patients with ALD.

The diagnosis of ALD involves a series of tests, including a medical examination, liver function tests, ultrasound of the abdominal cavity, liver elastography, and in some cases, more advanced imaging techniques such as CT, MRI, or biopsy.

Treatment for ALD is focused on absolute cessation of alcohol consumption. This is coupled with a balanced diet, sufficient water intake, vitamin and mineral complexes, physiotherapy procedures, psychological sessions, and medication therapy.

It's important to note that ALD is not just a liver disease. It's often associated with other conditions. For instance, patients with jaundice may also develop ascites, or abdominal swelling, in advanced disease.

Moreover, ALD increases the risk of liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma), with about 3–5% of cirrhosis patients developing liver cancer annually. Additionally, there's an elevated risk of other alcohol-related cancers such as head and neck, esophageal, breast, and colorectal cancers.

Furthermore, alcohol abuse often leads to nutritional deficiencies, including thiamin deficiency (leading to nerve damage), niacin deficiency (pellagra), vitamin C deficiency (scurvy), folate and B12 deficiencies causing various anemias.

In summary, ALD commonly progresses from fatty liver through alcoholic hepatitis to cirrhosis, often accompanied by symptoms such as jaundice and ascites, and carries increased risks for liver cancer and other nutritional and cancer-related complications. It's crucial to seek medical attention if you suspect you may have ALD, as early diagnosis and treatment can significantly improve outcomes.

[1] Liver Foundation. (2021). Alcoholic Liver Disease. Retrieved from https://www.liverfoundation.org/liverdisease/alcoholic-liver-disease/ [2] National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (2021). Alcohol-Related Liver Disease. Retrieved from https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohol-health/alcohols-effects-body/liver [3] Mayo Clinic. (2021). Alcoholic Liver Disease. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alcoholic-liver-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20370468

1. Science has made significant strides in understanding alcoholic liver disease (ALD), a condition linked to chronic-kidney-disease, COPD, type-2-diabetes, and other chronic-diseases.
2. Medical-conditions such as migraine, mental-health issues, and autoimmune-disorders can also be influenced by alcohol misuse, further highlighting the importance of health-and-wellness when it comes to alcohol consumption.
3. Digestive-health, eye-health, and hearing can also be affected by long-term alcohol abuse, leading to a myriad of skin-conditions and neurological-disorders.
4. Fitness-and-exercise plays a crucial role in the prevention and management of ALD, as maintaining a healthy weight and reducing inflammation through regular exercise can slow the progression of the disease.
5. Poor nutrition, which is common in individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD), can exacerbate various health issues such as Alzheimers-disease, multiple-sclerosis, and psoriasis.
6. Alcohol-related cancers, including liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma), and head and neck, esophageal, breast, and colorectal cancers, pose a significant risk for those with ALD.
7. Treatment for ALD often involves addressing nutritional deficiencies, particularly thiamin, niacin, vitamin C, folate, B12, and other essential nutrients, in addition to medication therapy, psychotherapy, and pharmacotherapy.
8. In addition to AUD treatment, management of other co-occurring medical-conditions is vital, such as regular skin-care, management of respiratory-conditions like COPD, and cardiovascular-health monitoring.
9. Strict abstinence from alcohol is the key to the recovery process, with a combination of lifestyle modifications, medical treatment, and ongoing support from healthcare professionals.
10. Rheumatoid-arthritis, a type of autoimmune-disorder, has been linked to AUD, further emphasizing the importance of addressing both physical and mental health aspects of alcohol misuse.
11. Support groups and therapy can be instrumental in the recovery process, helping individuals cope with the mental-health aspects of addiction and recovery.
12. It's important to remember that recovery is a lifelong journey, requiring ongoing care and commitment to maintaining a healthy lifestyle and regular medical check-ups.
13. The importance of early detection and intervention cannot be overstated when it comes to managing alcohol-related health complications, ensuring the best possible outcomes for those affected by ALD.

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