Alcoholic hepatitis
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Alcohol has long been associated with serious liver diseases such as hepatitis — an inflammation of the liver. But the relationship between drinking and alcoholic hepatitis is complex. Not all heavy drinkers develop alcoholic hepatitis, and the disease can occur in people who drink only moderately or binge just once.
Though damage from alcoholic hepatitis often can be reversed if you stop drinking, the disease is likely to progress to cirrhosis and liver failure if you don't.
The exact reason alcoholic hepatitis develops isn't known. What's clear is that if you have alcoholic hepatitis you'll need to avoid alcohol and other substances that harm your liver. For some people with severe liver damage, a liver transplant may be an option.
Mild forms of alcoholic hepatitis may not cause noticeable problems, but as the disease becomes more advanced and the liver more damaged, signs and symptoms are likely to develop. These may include:
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting, sometimes with blood
- Abdominal pain and tenderness
- Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice)
- Fever
- Abdominal swelling due to fluid accumulation (ascites)
- Mental confusion
- Fatigue
- Dry mouth
- Unusual thirst
- Paleness
- Lightheadedness
- Unexpected, rapid weight gain
These symptoms may vary, depending on the severity of the disease, and are likely to become worse after a bout of binge drinking.
