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Alcoholic liver disease - Treatment

Alternative Names

Liver disease due to alcohol; Cirrhosis or hepatitis - alcoholic; Laennec's cirrhosis

Treatment:

The most important part of treatment is to stop using alcohol completely. If liver cirrhosis has not yet occurred, the liver can heal if you stop drinking alcohol.

An alcohol rehabilitation program or counseling may be necessary to break the alcohol addiction. Vitamins, especially B-complex and folic acid, can help reverse malnutrition.

If cirrhosis develops, you will need to manage the complications of cirrhosis. You may need a liver transplant.

See also: Alcoholic neuropathy

Support Groups:

You can often ease the stress of illness by joining a support group whose members share common experiences and problems.

See:

Expectations (prognosis):

Continued excessive drinking can shorten your lifespan. The outcome will likely be poor if you keep drinking.

Complications:

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if:

  • You develop symptoms of alcoholic liver disease
  • You develop symptoms after prolonged or heavy drinking
  • You are concerned that drinking may be damaging your health
  • Reviewed last on: 12/13/2010
  • George F Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program San Diego, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Carithers RL, McClain C. Alcoholic liver disease. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ. Feldman: Sleisinger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2010:chap 84.

Schuppan D, Afdhal NH. Liver cirrhosis. Lancet. 2008;371:838-851.

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The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
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