Regular consumption of alcohol, including low-alcohol drinks and beer, gradually leads to fatty liver disease, developing into chronic hepatitis and ending in liver cirrhosis. Drinking alcohol in large doses almost inevitably leads to pancreatitis and acute hepatitis, these diseases are extremely life-threatening.
Periodic consumption of alcohol in small doses has a positive effect on the cardiovascular and nervous systems. But severe alcohol intoxication leads to mental disorders, atherosclerosis and the development of arterial hypertension. The resulting liver diseases depend on the dose and systematicity of alcohol consumption.
Fatty liver disease – to detect this disease, it is necessary to do a liver biopsy. Treatment is carried out in a specialized medical institution under the supervision of doctors.
Chronic active alcoholic hepatitis (CAH) manifests itself like other forms of hepatitis. If you do not abstain from alcohol during treatment, this can lead to the development of liver cirrhosis. During inpatient treatment, a glucose solution is injected into the blood (daily) with various additives (negoheptral, chophytol and lipoic acid solution), intramuscular vitamin B12 during the first five days. The course of treatment takes an average of 10 days and will be successful only with complete abstinence from alcohol.
Acute alcoholic hepatitis – symptoms: fever, jaundice, increased sweating, vomiting, nausea and pain in the upper abdomen. Constant feeling of depression in some cases, enlargement of the liver. Treatment is the same as for CAH plus prednisolone. At the end of the intensive therapy course, metadoxil is administered three times a day at 500 mg, for 3 months.
Liver cirrhosis – occurs with prolonged alcohol consumption; patients are usually over forty years old. The main symptoms are euphoria, a swollen face, inappropriately “bulging” eyes, and anemia. Complete abstinence from alcohol combined with a course of treatment leads to remission. Treatment includes detoxification, the use of vitamins A, B, C, and folic acid. An important factor in the treatment of liver diseases is a properly balanced diet.
In addition to the liver, alcohol has a harmful effect on almost all organs. Even a single use leaves its mark on the body for 1-2 weeks. The “green serpent” has a huge impact on the cerebral cortex. Alcohol is a strong enemy, and it is very difficult to overcome the disease alone. The key to successful treatment is contacting a specialized medical institution and comprehensive support from family and friends.
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