Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Overview

Alcoholic fatty liver disease, as the name says, it is caused by heavy alcohol use. This is the earliest stage of alcohol related disease, later it progresses into alcoholic hepatitis then finally to cirrhosis. This usually presents with elevated transaminases in the absence of hepatomegaly. It has a good prognosis and steatosis usually disappears after 3 months of abstinence.

Signs and Symptoms

Usually asymptomatic, Normal/large liver, Abnormal liver biochemistry

Common Causes

Heavy alcohol use

Risk Factors

Binge drinking, Common in women due to high ethanols level after drinking as their body mass is lower than man, Polymorphism in the genes involved in alcohol metabolism have yet to be linked to alcoholic liver diseases

Investigation Techniques

Full blood count, Liver function test, Coagulation profile, Abdominal ultrasound

Treatment and Prevention

Cessation of alcohol: Normally the liver return back to normal after 3 months of abstinence, Psychological therapy for alcoholism, Medications to abstinence from alcohol, Eating healthy and balanced diet to avoid malnutrition.