Alcoholic Hepatitis

Alcoholic Hepatitis
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Alcoholic hepatitis is one among four types of liver disease namely, alcoholic fatty liver, alcoholic cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (Talley, Locke, & Saito, 2008). It is a liver condition caused by excessive consumption of alcohol over a prolonged period of time. However, the condition also occurs among people who consume moderately. The condition affects the liver because it the organ that is most involved for biotransformation of alcohol. It is unfortunate that scientists have been unable to categorically indicate just how much exposure is enough to trigger the onset of alcoholic hepatitis (Doweiko, 2009). It is important to note that chronic alcohol dependency increases the chances of liver disease. Studies have indicated that the amount and duration of consumption, directly affects the type and level of alcoholic hepatitis. It also indicates that since alcoholics consume alcohol more than average alcohol consumers, they are at greater risk for alcoholic hepatitis (Talley, Locke, & Saito, 2008).
The disease is a known major cause of death particularly in the first world. Statistics indicate that the death rate for people with the disease is up to 20% to 65% of people suffering from alcoholic hepatitis. This occurs despite the patients’ access to the highest quality medical care (Doweiko, 2009). Alcoholic hepatitis is a preventable liver disease and health care professional are always encouraged to consistently advise their patients against chronic and excessive alcohol consumption behaviour (Talley, Locke, & Saito, 2008).
As noted above, the liver disease is lethal because it builds up slowly without the patients’ notice. It then presents itself at advanced level and people need to be sensitized about it to ensure prevention. Liver disease may go undetected for a long duration as it often starts without overt symptoms (Palmer, 2004). Efforts to educate the masses about how the disease occurs and how to prevent it must be undertaken. This is with the assumption that people refrain from unhealthy drinking habits when they are aware of the causes and effects.
It is known that when people with alcoholic fatty liver continue consuming alcohol, they end up developing alcoholic hepatitis which is a more advanced liver disease. Alcoholic hepatitis usually manifests with a low grade fever, malaise, jaundice, enlarged and tender liver as well as dark urine. The disease may also present with stomach pain (Doweiko, 2009). The best indication of alcoholic hepatitis is an enlarged liver while angiomas, gynecomatsia, ascites and ethanol intoxication are indicative of chronic liver disease (Burket, 2008).
Statistics indicate that about 20% of alcoholic hepatitis patients develop liver cirrhosis. When this condition develops and the patient continues consuming alcohol, the cells in his or her liver die and scar tissue replaces them. The scar tissues do not function...