The Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Strategy™ By Julissa Clay the program discussed in the eBook, Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Strategy, has been designed to improve the health of your liver just by eliminating the factors and reversing the effects caused by your fatty liver. It has been made an easy-to-follow program by breaking it up into lists of recipes and stepwise instructions. Everyone can use this clinically proven program without any risk. You can claim your money back within 60 days if its results are not appealing to you.
How does alcoholic hepatitis differ from alcoholic fatty liver disease?
Alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD) and alcoholic hepatitis are two liver diseases caused by alcohol consumption in excess but are significantly different from each other in pathophysiology, severity, and outcome. The description of the two follows below:
1. Definition and Key Features
Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (AFLD):
The initial stage of alcohol-induced liver injury.
It is a condition where fat accumulates within liver cells (steatosis) due to excessive intake of alcohol.
This stage is typically asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic, eg, fatigue or pain in the abdomen.
Reversible, AFLD can progress to severe liver diseases, eg, alcoholic hepatitis or cirrhosis, if alcohol consumption continues.
Alcoholic Hepatitis:
Alcoholic hepatitis is a severe disease that occurs when the liver becomes inflamed due to the alcohol and its metabolites (mainly acetaldehyde) being harmful to it.
It is characterized by damage to liver cells, inflammation, and scarring (fibrosis).
Unlike AFLD, alcoholic hepatitis may be associated with severe symptoms, including jaundice, fever, abdominal pain, nausea, and ascites (fluid in the abdomen). It may be associated with acute liver failure in advanced cases.
Alcoholic hepatitis is potentially life-threatening and requires medical attention, particularly if the inflammation is severe or the liver function deteriorates rapidly.
2. Pathophysiology
Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (AFLD):
Fat Deposition: Fat is deposited within the liver cells because alcohol increases the concentration of fatty acids within the liver and destroys the functional capability of the liver in the process of fat metabolism.
No Inflammation or Extensive Damage: The deposition of fat in AFLD occurs without any extensive inflammation or liver cell injury. Therefore, the function of the liver remains largely unaffected during this phase.
The process is primarily alcohol metabolism and the liver’s inability to metabolize fatty acids in excess alcohol consumption.
Alcoholic Hepatitis:
Liver Cell Damage and Inflammation: Oxidative injury with chronic alcohol consumption damages liver cells. This triggers inflammation (by inflammatory cells) and can cause necrosis (death) of liver cells.
The liver responds by activating inflammatory pathways that result in fibrosis (liver scarring), which in turn results in more advanced liver disease.
Alcohol and its metabolites, such as acetaldehyde, are the key components of alcoholic hepatitis injury and inflammation.
3. Symptoms and Clinical Presentation
Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (AFLD):
Usually asymptomatic, therefore many people with AFLD may not experience any symptoms.
In some, there are mild symptoms such as fatigue, upper abdominal pain or discomfort, or bloating.
Liver function is normal, though some patients may have mildly elevated liver enzymes (AST/ALT).
Alcoholic Hepatitis:
Jaundice (yellow skin and eyes)
Abdominal pain or discomfort
Nausea and vomiting
Fever and malaise
Ascites (fluid in the belly)
Enlarged liver (hepatomegaly)
Elevated liver enzymes (AST, ALT, alkaline phosphatase) and bilirubin
Confusion or encephalopathy in severe cases (as a result of liver failure)
May lead to acute liver failure, which can be fatal.
4. Diagnosis
Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (AFLD):
Blood Tests: Elevated liver enzymes, AST, and ALT may indicate liver damage but are usually not very high.
Imaging: Ultrasound or CT scans may reveal fatty infiltration of the liver.
Biopsy: In very few instances, a liver biopsy establishes the presence of fatty deposits in liver cells.
Alcoholic Hepatitis
Blood Tests: Liver function tests will show significant elevation of liver enzymes (specifically AST), bilirubin levels, and prolonged prothrombin time (which suggests liver dysfunction).
Imaging: Ultrasound or CT scans may show liver enlargement, but alcoholic hepatitis cannot be diagnosed on imaging alone.
Liver Biopsy: In doubtful cases or severe ones, liver biopsy can confirm alcoholic hepatitis by showing liver cell inflammation, necrosis, and fibrosis.
5. Prognosis
Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (AFLD):
Reversible: With lowering or stoppage of alcohol consumption, AFLD gets reversed many times, and normal liver function is restored.
But if alcohol intake continues, AFLD progresses towards alcoholic hepatitis, fibrosis, or even cirrhosis.
Alcoholic Hepatitis
Varies in Severity: The prognosis of alcoholic hepatitis depends on the severity of the condition. Mild alcoholic hepatitis can be managed by abstinence from alcohol and medication, while severe alcoholic hepatitis may result in liver failure, which may be fatal unless a liver transplant is done.
Risk of Cirrhosis: Alcoholic hepatitis may progress to cirrhosis and other complications in the long run if drinking continues.
6. Treatment
Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (AFLD):
Abstinence from alcohol: The most important treatment is alcohol abstinence.
Weight control: If obesity is present, weight loss will reduce liver fat.
Dietary changes: A healthy diet with reduced fat is typically recommended.
Control of metabolic risk factors: Treatment of conditions like diabetes and hypercholesterolemia may improve liver function.
Alcoholic Hepatitis:
Abstinence from alcohol: Essential for the treatment of alcoholic hepatitis. Continued alcohol intake will worsen the condition.
Corticosteroids: Steroids such as prednisolone can be prescribed in severe cases to decrease inflammation in the liver.
Nutritional support: Malnutrition is widespread in alcoholic hepatitis, and nutritional support (including supplementation with vitamins) is therefore commonly needed.
Liver transplant: In acute alcoholic hepatitis complicated by liver failure, a liver transplant is required.
Key Differences:
Feature Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (AFLD) Alcoholic Hepatitis
Pathophysiology Fat deposition within liver cells (steatosis) Inflammation, damage to liver cells, and fibrosis
Symptoms
Mild or none, sometimes fatigue or abdominal pain
Jaundice, abdominal pain, fever, nausea, ascites, confusion
Severity
Mild, reversible with alcohol withdrawal
Moderate to severe, can cause liver failure
Prognosis
Reversible with lifestyle modification and alcohol withdrawal
Depends on severity; can progress to cirrhosis or liver failure
Diagnosis
Elevated liver enzymes, ultrasound, liver biopsy (rare)
Elevated liver enzymes, imaging, liver biopsy (if severe)
Conclusion
While both alcoholic fatty liver disease and alcoholic hepatitis are alcohol-related liver disease, they differ by severity, symptomatology, and probability of progress. AFLD would be the milder earlier stage, often asymptomatic and reversible with behavioral change, while alcoholic hepatitis is more severe, causing inflammation and possibly leading to liver failure. Both need either cessation of alcohol or early detection to be treated in order to prevent progression towards other liver damage.
If you need more specific guidance on treatment or management, feel free to ask!
Acute Fatty Liver of Pregnancy (AFLP) is a rare but serious illness that typically presents in the third trimester of pregnancy. AFLP is characterized by fatty infiltration of the liver with resultant hepatic dysfunction. AFLP is a medical emergency since both mother and child may develop serious complications if not promptly treated.
Symptoms:
Nausea and vomiting
Abdominal pain, especially in the upper right quadrant
Fatigue
Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
Decreased urine output
Altered mental status or confusion
Causes and Risk Factors:
The etiology of AFLP is unclear, but it is considered to be secondary to a genetic defect in mitochondrial metabolism of liver cells leading to defective metabolism of fats. The risk factors are:
A previous history of AFLP in an earlier pregnancy
Being pregnant with twins or greater-order multiples
A family history of AFLP
Diagnosis:
Diagnosis is typically made by blood tests to assess liver function (raised liver enzymes, bilirubin), imaging (ultrasound), and perhaps a liver biopsy. One must rule out other diseases with similar presentation, e.g., preeclampsia or viral hepatitis.
Treatment:
Expedited delivery of the baby is the primary treatment for AFLP, regardless of gestational age, since the condition may progress very rapidly. Supportive therapy of the mother, such as fluids, electrolyte replacement, and in some cases, liver dialysis, may also be necessary.
While rare, AFLP is potentially life-threatening and must be watched closely and treated quickly.
The Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Strategy™ By Julissa Clay the program discussed in the eBook, Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Strategy, has been designed to improve the health of your liver just by eliminating the factors and reversing the effects caused by your fatty liver. It has been made an easy-to-follow program by breaking it up into lists of recipes and stepwise instructions. Everyone can use this clinically proven program without any risk. You can claim your money back within 60 days if its results are not appealing to you