Alcoholic Liver Disease Diagnosed and Treated Liver Disease Specialists

When patients suspect liver disease, they seek the expertise of the gastroenterologists at The Center for Liver and Hepatobiliary Diseases at Mercy in Baltimore. Mercy's team includes physicians who are considered some of the foremost experts in the nation to diagnose and treat liver disease, including alcoholic liver disease.

About Alcoholic Liver Disease

Alcoholic liver disease is injury to the liver due to alcohol abuse. The leading cause of liver disease is alcohol, which metabolizes in the liver. Excessive consumption of alcohol can lead to acute and chronic liver disease. Patients with alcoholic liver disease are advised to have a preventive vaccination for both hepatitis A and hepatitis B.

Symptoms & Diagnosis

Symptoms of alcoholic liver disease can widely vary depending on the stage of the liver disease. Alcoholic liver disease symptoms, which may not be noticeable until the disease is advanced, can include:

Increased blood pressure
Jaundice
Nausea
Dry retching
Diarrhea
Abdominal pain

Alcoholic liver disease can be diagnosed through blood tests, a liver biopsy, and liver function tests as well as using CT scans or ultrasounds.

Treatment Options for Alcoholic Liver Disease

Liver damage is generally irreversible and progressively worsens with continued drinking. Early stages of alcoholic liver disease can be managed by not drinking alcohol. Some stages of alcoholic liver disease may respond to medical treatment, including steroids. However, other stages of alcoholic liver disease may require regular screenings because they may be pre-malignant conditions that could lead to permanent scarring of the liver. Advanced alcoholic liver disease may require a liver transplant.

The Melissa L. Posner Institute for Digestive Health & Liver Disease at Mercy provides diagnosis and treatment for a range of gastroenterology issues including heartburn, liver disease, bowel conditions, motility disorders and pancreatic disease.