Mild forms of alcoholic hepatitis may not cause noticeable problems, but as the disease becomes more advanced and the liver more damaged, signs and symptoms are likely to develop. These may include:

• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and vomiting, sometimes with blood
• Abdominal pain and tenderness
• Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice)
• Fever
• Abdominal swelling due to fluid accumulation (ascites)
• Mental confusion
• Fatigue
• Dry mouth
• Unusual thirst
• Paleness
• Lightheadedness
• Unexpected, rapid weight gain

These symptoms may vary, depending on the severity of the disease, and are likely to become worse after a bout of binge drinking.

When to see a doctor
See your doctor if you develop any of the signs or symptoms of alcoholic hepatitis, including severe fatigue. Severe symptoms such as gastrointestinal hemorrhage or serious mental confusion require emergency care. 

©1998-2009 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Terms of use.

The liver is your body's workhorse. It performs hundreds of vital functions, including processing most nutrients, producing bile and substances that help your blood clot, and removing drugs, alcohol and other harmful substances from your bloodstream. Although the liver has a great capacity for regeneration, constant exposure to toxins can cause serious — and sometimes irreversible — damage.

Just how alcohol damages the liver — and why it does so only in a minority of heavy drinkers — isn't entirely clear, although a number of hypotheses exist. What is known is that the process of breaking down ethanol — the alcohol in beer, wine and liquor — produces highly toxic chemicals such as acetaldehyde. These chemicals trigger inflammation that destroys liver cells. In time, web-like scars and small knots of tissue replace healthy liver tissue, interfering with the liver's ability to function. This irreversible scarring, called cirrhosis, is the final stage of alcoholic liver disease.

Risk increases with time, amount consumed
Heavy alcohol use can lead to liver disease, and the risk increases with the length of time and amount of alcohol you drink. But because many people who drink heavily or binge drink never develop alcoholic hepatitis or cirrhosis, it's likely that factors other than alcohol play a role:

• Genetic factors. Having mutations in certain genes that affect alcohol metabolism may increase your risk of alcoholic liver disease as well as of alcohol-associated cancers.
• Other types of hepatitis. Long-term alcohol abuse worsens the liver damage caused by other types of hepatitis, especially hepatitis C. If you have hepatitis C and also drink — even moderately — you're more likely to develop cirrhosis than if you don't drink.

• Other diseases. People who drink alcohol are more likely to develop alcoholic hepatitis if they also have another disease that affects the liver, such as iron overload (hemochromatosis) — a disorder in which the body stores too much iron.

• Malnutrition. Many people who drink heavily are malnourished, either because they eat poorly — often substituting alcohol for food — or because alcohol and its toxic byproducts prevent the body from properly absorbing and metabolizing nutrients, especially protein, certain vitamins and fats. In both cases, the lack of nutrients contributes to liver cell damage.

  It was once thought that malnutrition, rather than alcohol, caused alcoholic liver disease. Now, the relationship between the two appears more complicated. Some research has found that even in the presence of good nutrition, alcoholic hepatitis can still develop, yet other studies have found that nutritional supplementation can improve outcomes in people with alcoholic hepatitis.

©1998-2009 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Terms of use.

Risk factors for alcoholic hepatitis include:

• Alcohol use. Consistent heavy drinking or binge drinking is the primary risk factor for alcoholic hepatitis, though it's hard to precisely define what constitutes heavy drinking because people vary greatly in their sensitivity to alcohol. Moderate drinking is generally defined as no more than two drinks a day for men and one for women. Binge drinking is usually defined as more than four alcoholic drinks in a two-hour period for women, and more than five drinks in two hours for men. Also a matter of debate is whether certain types of alcohol cause more harm than others. Some experts believe that wine is less damaging than hard liquor is because ounce per ounce, wine drinkers may end up consuming less alcohol overall. However, it may just be that wine drinkers generally tend to have healthier lifestyles.
• Your sex. Women have a higher risk of developing alcoholic liver disease than men do. This disparity may result from differences in the way alcohol is absorbed and broken down. Because women tend to metabolize alcohol more slowly, their livers are exposed to the higher blood concentrations of alcohol for longer periods of time — with potentially greater toxicity. The slow rate of alcohol metabolism in women may be due to lower levels of stomach enzymes that break down alcohol, the effects of estrogen or even the size of a woman's liver.
• Genetic factors. Researchers have discovered a number of genetic mutations that affect the way alcohol is metabolized in the body. Having one or more of these mutations may increase the risk of alcoholic liver disease and liver cancer.

©1998-2009 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Terms of use.

Complications of alcoholic hepatitis include:

• Increased blood pressure in the portal vein. Blood from your intestine, spleen and pancreas enters your liver through a large blood vessel called the portal vein. If scar tissue blocks normal circulation through the liver, this blood backs up, leading to increased pressure within the vein (portal hypertension).
• Enlarged veins (varices). When circulation through the portal vein is blocked, blood may back up into other blood vessels in the stomach and esophagus. These blood vessels are thin walled, and because they're filled with more blood than they're meant to carry, they're likely to bleed. Massive bleeding in the upper stomach or esophagus from these blood vessels is a life-threatening emergency that requires immediate medical care.
• Fluid retention. Alcoholic liver disease can cause large amounts of fluid to accumulate in your abdominal cavity (ascites). Several factors play a role in fluid buildup, including portal hypertension and changes in the hormones and chemicals that regulate fluids in your body. Ascites can be uncomfortable and may interfere with breathing. In addition, abdominal fluid may become infected and require treatment with antibiotics. Although not life-threatening in itself, ascites is usually a sign of advanced alcoholic hepatitis or cirrhosis.
• Bruising and bleeding. Alcoholic hepatitis interferes with the production of proteins that help your blood clot and with the absorption of vitamin K, which plays a role in synthesizing these proteins. As a result, you may bruise and bleed more easily than normal. Bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract is a common complication.
• Jaundice. This occurs when your liver isn't able to remove bilirubin — the residue of old red blood cells — from your blood. Eventually, bilirubin builds up and is deposited in your skin and the whites of your eyes, causing a yellow color.
• Hepatic encephalopathy. A liver damaged by alcoholic hepatitis has trouble removing toxins from your body — normally one of the liver's key tasks. The buildup of toxins such as ammonia — a byproduct of protein digestion — can damage your brain, leading to changes in your mental state, behavior and personality (hepatic encephalopathy). Signs and symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy include forgetfulness, confusion and mood changes, and in the most severe cases, delirium and coma.
• Cirrhosis. This serious condition, which is an insidious and irreversible scarring of the liver, is the fourth-leading cause of death in Americans ages 45 to 54. Cirrhosis frequently leads to liver failure, which occurs when the damaged liver is no longer able to adequately function.

©1998-2009 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Terms of use.

You're likely to start by first seeing your family doctor or a general practitioner. After that, however, you'll likely be referred to a gastroenterologist.

Because appointments can be brief, and there's often a lot of ground to cover, it's a good idea to be well prepared for your appointment. Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment, and what to expect from your doctor.

What you can do

• Be aware of any pre-appointment restrictions. At the time you make the appointment, be sure to ask if there's anything you need to do in advance, such as restrict your diet.
• Write down any symptoms you're experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
• Write down key personal information, including any major stresses or recent life changes. Let your doctor know how much alcohol you regularly consume. It's a good idea to track your alcohol consumption for a few days by writing it down, because people tend to underestimate the amount they've consumed.
• Make a list of all medications, as well as any vitamins or supplements, that you're taking.
• Take a family member or friend along, if possible. Sometimes it can be difficult to soak up all the information provided to you during an appointment. Someone who accompanies you may remember something that you missed or forgot.
• Write down questions to ask your doctor.

Your time with your doctor is limited, so preparing a list of questions will help you make the most of your appointment. List your questions from most important to least important in case time runs out. For alcoholic hepatitis, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:

• What's the most likely cause of my symptoms?
• Are there any other possible causes for my symptoms?
• What kinds of tests do I need? How should I prepare for them?
• Is my condition temporary or chronic?
• What treatments are available? Which one do you recommend?
• Are there any alternatives to the primary approach that you're suggesting?
• What resources are available to help me stop drinking? Which ones will my insurance pay for?
• I have other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?
• Are there any dietary restrictions that I need to follow?
• Should I see a specialist? What will that cost, and will my insurance cover seeing a specialist?
• Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can take home with me? What Web sites do you recommend visiting?

In addition to the questions that you've prepared, don't hesitate to ask questions any time you don't understand something.

What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Being ready to answer them may reserve time to go over any points you want to spend more time on. Your doctor may ask:

• When did you first begin experiencing symptoms?
• Have your symptoms been continuous, or occasional?
• How severe are your symptoms?
• What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?
• What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?
• How often do you drink alcohol, and how many drinks do you usually consume?
• Have you ever had hepatitis or yellowing of the skin before?
• Do you use any other recreational drugs?
• Are your family members or friends concerned about your drinking?
• Do you get angry or anxious when the subject of your drinking is discussed?
• Do you feel guilty about drinking?
• Do you drink in the morning — do you need an eye-opener?

What you can do in the meantime
Abstaining from alcohol will help improve the health of your liver. If you believe you're dependent on alcohol, your doctor can recommend the treatment options that might work best for you. However, if you need help to stop drinking while you're waiting to see your doctor, Alcoholics Anonymous or counseling may be helpful.

©1998-2009 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Terms of use.

Because there are numerous liver diseases and a wide range of factors that can cause them, including viral infections, drugs and environmental toxins, diagnosing alcoholic hepatitis can be challenging. In addition to a full medical history, including questions about your drinking habits and a physical exam, you're likely to have certain tests, including:

• Blood tests. These check for high levels of certain liver-related enzymes: gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALAT). Elevated levels of these enzymes are likely to occur in people with alcoholic hepatitis. You may also have tests to check for viral infections that affect the liver, such as hepatitis B and C.
• Ultrasound. Your doctor may use this noninvasive imaging test to view your liver — in people with alcoholic hepatitis, the liver may be enlarged — and to rule out other problems such as gallstones or bile duct obstruction.
• Liver biopsy. In this procedure, a small sample of tissue is removed from your liver and examined under a microscope. Your doctor is likely to use a thin cutting needle to obtain the sample. Needle biopsies are relatively simple procedures requiring only local anesthesia, but your doctor may choose not to do one if you have bleeding problems or severe abdominal swelling (ascites). Risks include bruising, bleeding and infection.

©1998-2009 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Terms of use.

Complete abstinence from alcohol is the single most important treatment for alcoholic hepatitis. It's the only way to reverse liver damage or, in more advanced cases, to prevent the disease from becoming worse. Without treatment, the majority of people with alcoholic hepatitis eventually develop cirrhosis.

If you are dependent on alcohol and would like help, your doctor can recommend a therapy that's tailored for your needs. This might be a chemical dependency evaluation, a brief intervention, counseling, Alcoholics Anonymous, an outpatient treatment program or a residential inpatient stay.

Other treatments for alcoholic hepatitis include:

• Nutritional therapy. This is a crucial part of treating alcoholic hepatitis because malnutrition contributes to liver damage. A doctor or dietitian is likely to recommend a high-calorie, nutrient-dense dietary plan to help liver cells regenerate. Doctors also often recommend reducing dietary fat because alcohol interferes with the normal metabolism of fatty acids, leading to deposits of fat in the liver (alcoholic fatty liver). In some cases, medium-chain triglycerides may be prescribed as a supplement. This is a type of fat that may actually help reduce the buildup of harmful fats in the liver. Supplementing with vitamins and minerals depleted by alcohol — especially vitamins B-1, B-2 and B-6 and calcium and iron - also is key.
• Lifestyle changes. Quitting smoking and maintaining a healthy weight can help improve liver function. Smoking has been shown to increase the rate of liver scarring in people with alcoholic hepatitis, and obesity contributes to fatty liver. Additionally, it's essential that you don't use illicit drugs because these can further damage your liver.
• Drug therapies. People with severe alcoholic hepatitis may benefit from short-term treatment with corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and with pentoxifylline, a drug that prevents the body from making tumor necrosis factor-alpha, a powerful substance linked to inflammation. Other therapies that inhibit tumor necrosis factor, such as etanercept (Enbrel) and infliximab (Remicade), also may be considered.
• Antioxidants. Harmful oxygen molecules called free radicals play a major role in alcoholic hepatitis by causing extensive damage to liver cells. Treatment with antioxidants can help prevent this damage. The supplement SAMe may be of some benefit. Other natural supplements, such as the herb milk thistle, also may be helpful, though study results have been mixed. The chief constituent of milk thistle, silymarin, may aid in healing and rebuilding the liver by stimulating the production of antioxidant enzymes. Don't take any supplements or over-the-counter preparations without consulting your doctor because your damaged liver doesn't process these substances as efficiently as it should, and some herbs and supplements can be damaging, even to healthy livers.

• Liver transplant. When liver function is severely impaired, a liver transplant may be the only option for some people. Although liver transplantation is often successful, the number of people awaiting transplants far exceeds the number of available organs. For that reason, liver transplantation in people with alcoholic liver disease is controversial.

  Some medical centers won't perform liver transplants on people with alcoholic liver disease because they believe a substantial number will return to drinking after surgery, won't take the necessary anti-rejection medications, or will require more care and resources than will other patients. Most of these objections have not been borne out in practice, however, and many doctors now feel that some people with alcoholic liver disease are good candidates for transplant surgery. But requirements are still stringent, including abstinence from alcohol for at least six months before surgery and enrollment in a counseling program.

©1998-2009 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Terms of use.

The only sure way to prevent alcoholic hepatitis is to drink very sparingly or not at all. If you have been diagnosed with alcoholic hepatitis, you should not drink alcohol again.

These measures also may help reduce your risk of alcoholic liver disease:

• Protect yourself from hepatitis C. Hepatitis C is a highly infectious liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus. Untreated, it can lead to cirrhosis. If you have hepatitis C and drink alcohol, you're far more likely to develop cirrhosis than someone who doesn't drink is. Because there's no vaccine to prevent hepatitis C, the only way to protect yourself is to avoid exposure to the virus.

  In the past, many people with hepatitis C became infected through blood transfusions before improved blood-screening tests became available. Today, contaminated drug paraphernalia is responsible for the majority of all new cases of hepatitis C. Avoid sharing needles or other drug paraphernalia. Hepatitis C can sometimes be transmitted sexually. If you aren't absolutely certain of the health status of a sexual partner, use a new condom every time you have sex. See your doctor if you have or have had hepatitis C or think you may have been exposed to the virus.

• Limit medications and supplements. Because your liver detoxifies and eliminates drugs from your system, most medications, including nonprescription ones, can damage liver cells. This is particularly true if the drugs are taken in excess or with alcohol. Be especially careful not to mix acetaminophen or medicine containing acetaminophen with alcohol — the combination can cause liver failure. Before taking any medications or supplements, talk to your doctor about the potential effect on your liver.

©1998-2009 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Terms of use.