Doctors use a combination of methods to diagnose people with alcoholic hepatitis. They may identify the condition according to a person’s medical history, a physical exam, imaging scans, and more.
Alcoholic hepatitis is a condition in which heavy alcohol usage causes inflammation in a person’s liver. It is different from infectious viral hepatitis. It may not cause someone to have symptoms, but it can cause serious complications.
This article discusses different methods that healthcare professionals use to diagnose alcoholic hepatitis. It also discusses treatments and when to speak with a doctor.
Healthcare professionals may first check a person’s symptoms and ask about their medical history. They may also ask about their lifestyle, including how much alcohol they drink.
According to the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS), many people with alcoholic hepatitis do not know they have it because the condition does not always cause symptoms.
People with the condition may experience several symptoms. However, they
Symptoms of alcoholic hepatitis may include:
- abdominal pain
- jaundice, which may present with a yellow tinge on a person’s skin and the whites of their eyes
- fever
- a feeling of fullness in the abdomen
- abdominal bloating
- changes in mental status, which may include confusion
If alcoholic hepatitis leads to cirrhosis, symptoms may include:
- jaundice
- gastrointestinal bleeding
- ascites, which is the medical term for when fluid collects in spaces within a person’s abdomen
- hepatic encephalopathy, which describes a decline in a person’s brain function due to toxins in the bloodstream
- coagulopathy, which is when the blood cannot clot properly, leading to prolonged or excessive bleeding from injury
During a physical exam, healthcare professionals
- a swollen abdomen
- tachypnea, which describes rapid and shallow breathing
- tachycardia, or an unusually fast heartbeat
- fever
- an enlarged liver
- signs of portal hypertension, which is high blood pressure in veins that run through the liver
- signs of cirrhosis
Blood tests for alcoholic hepatitis
- levels of enzymes, such as aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase, which may help a doctor identify liver damage resulting from alcohol use
- levels of bilirubin, which can lead to jaundice in high amounts
- C-reactive protein levels, which may indicate inflammation in a person’s body
- alcohol levels
- ammonia levels
- signs of blood clots
To help diagnose alcoholic hepatitis, healthcare professionals may use imaging scans of a person’s abdomen and liver. They may include:
These scans can help doctors detect blood clots and cirrhosis and rule out other conditions,
- biliary obstruction, which describes a blockage of the bile duct from a person’s liver into their digestive tract
- liver abscesses
- hepatocellular carcinoma, which is a type of liver cancer
A biopsy is a procedure where a professional removes a small sample of tissue or cells from a person’s body. They then send this sample for laboratory testing. Healthcare professionals use biopsies to help diagnose or detect conditions.
A liver biopsy is
The main treatment for alcoholic hepatitis is for a person
Other treatments for severe alcoholic hepatitis, which often involves cirrhosis, include:
- medications, such as corticosteroids or pentoxifylline
- managing alcohol withdrawal syndrome, if necessary
- nutritional supplementation, which may involve taking vitamins or following a medically recommended diet
- liver transplants
According to the NHS, alcoholic hepatitis can worsen and develop into a severe condition without treatment. Severe alcoholic hepatitis can increase the risk of liver cancer or liver failure.
Alcoholic hepatitis may not cause any signs and can develop suddenly. However, if a person notices they have symptoms or has concerns, they need to seek professional medical advice.
Healthcare professionals
People can also speak with a doctor if they have concerns about how much alcohol they drink. A doctor can offer advice for limiting alcohol intake and support for alcohol use disorder.
Heavy alcohol intake may cause a person’s liver to become damaged and inflamed. Doctors refer to this as alcoholic hepatitis. People with alcoholic hepatitis may have several symptoms that come on suddenly or no symptoms at all.
Therefore, healthcare professionals use several methods to diagnose people with this condition. These methods include conducting physical exams, checking a person’s medical history, and carrying out blood tests and imaging scans.
The main treatment for alcoholic hepatitis is to stop drinking alcohol. Doctors may also recommend medication, nutritional supplementation, and liver transplants.
A person needs to speak with a doctor if they experience any symptoms of alcoholic hepatitis or if they have any concerns about their alcohol intake.