What are the early signs of liver damage due to excess alcohol consumption?

May 19, 2021
5847 Views

The liver is present on the upper right side of the abdomen and just under the ribs. It performs different functions which are beneficial for your overall health like:

Break down of toxic substances like alcohol, drugs, and many other things.
Bile production is necessary for fat digestion.
Nutrients storage along with certain vitamins
Protein development is necessary for blood clotting.

If the liver functioning is affected it can prevent many vital functions. Liver damage from alcohol is one of the main reasons for fatal deaths all over the globe. It is also referred to as alcohol-related liver disease and consulting the medical expert at an early stage is important. Your liver health is important to keep yourself doing your daily activities with ease.

What are the early signs of liver damage from alcohol?

As we have mentioned, the liver is essential to break down the toxic substances which include alcohol. If you drink alcohol way beyond the normal limit then it can affect or potentially damage the liver. In such cases, the fat content is increased in the liver which leads to inflammation and scar tissue accumulation. In the case of alcohol-related liver disease, there are no symptoms at the initial stage. Although, there are certain symptoms which you can notice like:

Fatigue
Loss of appetite
Nausea and vomiting
Unexplained weight loss
Liver swelling, which increases discomfort in the upper right side of the abdomen

How liver health is affected due to excess alcohol consumption?

In this, there are chances to have 3 different liver problems which include:

Alcoholic fatty liver disease

In medical terms, it is also known as hepatic steatosis. It occurs due to fat build-up as excess alcohol consumption makes it difficult to break down the fat. It is extremely common in those who drink alcohol in excess. The chances of having this condition are around 90%. This situation can lead to symptoms like:

Discomfort in the liver area
Fatigue
Unexplained weight loss

Alcoholic hepatitis

At some point, the problem can lead to liver inflammation and this is referred to as alcoholic hepatitis. It can lead to the following symptoms:

Fatigue
Fever
Pain in the liver area
Loss of appetite
Nausea and vomiting
Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)

This can lead to mild or severe symptoms and over years it leads to liver damage. Treatment can help to control your situation.

Alcoholic cirrhosis

There are high chances that if you do not stop then it can lead to scar tissue formation which affects the healthy liver tissue. It can lead to serious health issues like:

Bleeding from veins in the upper digestive tract (varices)
Increased risk of infection
Kidney failure
Liver cancer
Portal hypertension (high blood pressure of the liver)
Ascites (accumulation of fluid in the abdomen)
Hepatic encephalopathy (brain damage due to increased toxins)

How to improve your liver health?

Moderate alcohol consumption

Women: Up to 1 drink per day
Men: Up to 2 drinks per day

Depending on the type of alcohol you consume

1.5 oz of liquor (40% alcohol)
5 oz of wine (12% alcohol)
8 oz of malt liquor (7% alcohol)
12 ounces (oz) of beer (5% alcohol)

Final thought!

It is better to not let the situation reach the stage that it leads to liver damage. Make sure to consult the doctor on time and get an effective treatment approach.

What is Laparoscopic Liver Resection? How is the procedure performed?

May 17, 2021
5881 Views

Overview

Laparoscopic Liver Resection is a minimally invasive procedure performed at the best liver hospital in Ludhiana. Performing this method helps to take out the liver mass safely and effectively. This approach allows the patient to recover faster and better.

Under a comprehensive approach, the health care experts will suggest to you the right method of liver surgery and Gastrointestinal Surgery in Punjab.

What happens during laparoscopic liver resection?

Initially, the patient is given general anesthesia to make them feel comfortable throughout the treatment. In total, 3 to 7 incisions are made to take out the liver mass. The total time taken to perform the treatment is between 1 to 7 hours and this depends on how many lesions, the location of the lesions, and how much the liver part is affected.

How should I prepare for the surgery?

The patient needs to stay physically fit and follow a healthy lifestyle. They need to reduce alcohol consumption before and even after the surgery. The surgeon will tell you some important tips which you need to follow for better results and to reduce the extent of complications. In most cases, the patients are suggested to get gentle bowel preparation to prevent post-operative constipation.

How much is the downtime?

Following the procedure, the patient needs to spend 1 to 6 nights in the hospital or might be as per your condition. The doctor will discuss everything with you in detail, on what specifications you need to follow to recover with ease. In most cases, the patients are not able to feel themselves for around 2 to 4 weeks, following the operation. The doctor will suggest pain medications. Make sure that you take them as prescribed by your doctor.

Can anything affect the treatment results?

Following the procedure, the patients can recover very easily. Follow the below-mentioned steps:

You need to walk daily for 15 to 30 minutes for faster recovery.
You need to limit alcohol consumption or any type of toxic substance which can affect your liver.
The doctor will tell you about the supplement which you need to avoid, so that liver health is not impacted.

Is the procedure safe?

Generally, the patients can easily undergo the procedure. Like with any other procedure, there are certain risks. Although, the research has shown that the outcomes with this procedure are better and it is completely safe. The doctor will tell you about the certain risk factors which you need to be careful about to get the results on time.

Is a laparoscopic approach best for all the patients?

The patients are suggested to get the laparoscopic approach as it helps them to recover faster. Your doctor will tell you better by checking your condition and then suggest to you whether you are an ideal candidate to get this approach or not.

For more information about the procedure, you should visit us by booking your initial consultation and get the customized approach.