Cirrhosis: Difference between revisions

* [[Alcoholic liver disease]] (ALD, or alcoholic cirrhosis) develops for 10–20% of individuals who drink heavily for a decade or more.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cirrhosis of the Liver |url=https://liverfoundation.org/for-patients/about-the-liver/diseases-of-the-liver/cirrhosis/ |access-date=2022-03-17 |website=American Liver Foundation}}</ref> Alcohol seems to injure the liver by blocking the normal metabolism of protein, fats, and carbohydrates.<ref name=":8" /> This injury happens through the formation of [[acetaldehyde]] from alcohol. Acetaldehyde is reactive, and leads to the accumulation of other reactive products in the liver.<ref name=":14" /> People with ALD may also have concurrent [[alcoholic hepatitis]]. Associated symptoms are fever, hepatomegaly, jaundice, and anorexia.<ref name=":8">{{cite journal | vauthors = Stickel F, Datz C, Hampe J, Bataller R | title = Pathophysiology and Management of Alcoholic Liver Disease: Update 2016 | journal = Gut and Liver | volume = 11 | issue = 2 | pages = 173–188 | date = March 2017 | pmid = 28274107 | pmc = 5347641 | doi = 10.5009/gnl16477 }}</ref> [[SGOT|AST and ALT]] blood levels are both elevated, but at less than 300 IU/liter, with an AST:ALT ratio > 2.0, a value rarely seen in other liver diseases.<ref name="Book. Current Med Diagnosis">{{cite book |title=Current medical diagnosis and treatment 2014. |vauthors=Friedman LS |publisher=Mcgraw-Hill |year=2014 |isbn=978-0071806336 |location=[S.l.] |pages=Chapter 16. Liver, Biliary Tract, & Pancreas Disorders}}</ref> In the United States, 40% of cirrhosis-related deaths are due to alcohol.<ref name=":14" />