Alcoholic Diseases
The liver is one of the most complex organs in the human body, with over 500 functions. These include filtering out blood toxins, storing energy, making hormones and proteins, and regulating cholesterol and blood sugar.
Liver damage can affect the whole body. Once damage begins, it can take a long time to become noticeable, as the liver is generally highly effective at regenerating and repairing itself. Often, by the time the damage is found, it is irreversible.
Early signs :
The early signs of alcoholic liver disease are vague and affect a range of systems in the body.
Along with a general feeling of being unwell, signs can include:
1. Pain in the abdomen
2. Nausea and vomiting
3. Diarrhea
4. Decreased appetite.
Once alcoholic liver disease progresses, its symptoms become easier to recognize.
The more distinctive signs of later-stage liver disease include the following:
- Jaundice, or a yellow tint of the whites of the eyes and the skin.
- Edema, or swelling of the lower limbs
- A buildup of fluid in the abdomen, known as ascites
- Fever and shivering
- Extremely itchy skin
- Fingernails that curve excessively, known as clubbing
- Losing a significant amount of weight
- General weakness and wasting muscles
- Blood in vomit and stools
- Bleeding and bruising more easily
- More sensitive reactions to alcohol and drugs
- Blood tests : used to assess the liver are known as liver function tests.
- Imaging tests : Ultrasound scan, CT scan, MRI scan
- Liver biopsy : A small sample of liver cells is taken and sent to a laboratory to be examined under a microscope.
- Endoscopy : endoscopy, the instrument is passed down your oesophagus (the long tube that carries food from the throat to the stomach) and into your stomach.