Alcoholic Steatohepatitis Symptoms

According to Dr. Howard J. Worman of Columbia University, one of the leading causes of worldwide morbidity and mortality is alcohol abuse. Alcoholic steatohepatitis, which is sometimes referred to as alcoholic hepatitis, is a condition that is caused by excessive drinking that can lead to cirrhosis of the liver. If it is left untreated, this condition is life threatening. For alcoholics and their friends and family, knowing the symptoms of this disease is vital in the fight to catch it fast enough to be treated.

Absence of Symptoms

• Mild forms of alcoholic steatohepatitis usually have no symptoms. In order to diagnose the disease at this stage, blood tests and other tests must be done to check the fat content of the liver. CT scans, MRI scans and liver tissue biopsy tests are some of the most common tests done to diagnose a fatty liver.

Gastrointestinal Symptoms

• Loss of appetite, swelling of the abdomen (ascites), rapid weight gain and a tender abdomen are common gastrointestinal symptoms associated with alcoholic steatophepatitis. While these symptoms may seem mild, they can signal serious problems for people who consume alcohol on a regular basis.

Neurological Symptoms

• Neurological symptoms such as headaches, confusion, blurred vision, dizziness and lightheadedness are all symptoms of this disease. These symptoms are caused by the diminished function of the liver.

Jaundice

• As alcoholic steatohepatitis progresses, jaundice may become noticeable. This disease causes the skin and whites of the eyes to turn yellow. This is because the liver is failing and can't break down bilirubin fast enough to keep up with the demands of the body.

Frequency

• All of the symptoms of alcoholic steatohepatitis may seem to get worse after consuming alcohol. However, these symptoms may manifest at any time, depending on the severity of the disease. A more severe case means the symptoms will be noticeable more often.