Alcoholic Hepatitis: Dual Diagnosis and Effective Treatment Approaches

Alcoholic Hepatitis: When someone drinks excessively and develops severe hepatitis, they require two evaluations. In a recent study, the focus was on treating liver disease and alcoholism in hospitalized individuals with serious AH. At UCLA Medical Center, Dr. Shetty emphasizes the importance of a dual diagnosis for these individuals.

To stay healthy and live, they must seek help for their liver cancer. Medscape reported Shetty said we should discuss their alcohol consumption.

The study by Shetty et al. in the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology highlights the negative effects of AH. If you drink excessively, you may develop AH. People with severe AH have a 20% to 50% annual mortality rate. A study found that improved medical care reduced deaths in the first 30 days by 17%.

The review indicates an increase in alcohol abuse over the past 20 years. Experts predict a rise in alcohol-related liver diseases, including alcoholic hepatitis (AH) and AH hospital stays. From 2002 to 2012, high-risk drinks in the U.S. increased by nearly 30%. This applied to black people and women. The number of young adults with AUD increased by 25%, and in 2019, around 14.5 million people in the US aged 12 and up had AUD.

According to the US National Inpatient Sample, AH stays in the US increased by 28.3% from 2007 to 2014. The review suggests that AH patients require external supervision and management due to their high mortality rate. The writers explored post-hospital patient care options.

Alcoholic Hepatitis: Dual Diagnosis and Effective Treatment Approaches

When treating AH, specialists should collaborate for optimal outcomes. The writers claim that multidisciplinary care improves patients’ lives and reduces healthcare costs.

Avoid drinking for better health. The researchers found a link between liver damage and death post-rehab. The review arranged outpatient care for liver damage and AUD. Doctors recommend monitoring for infections and regularly undergoing lab tests to reduce the risk of liver decompensation post-hospitalization.

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Our Reader’s Queries

Can alcoholic hepatitis be cured?

At present, there is no remedy for alcoholic hepatitis. However, the focus of treatment is to minimize or eradicate symptoms and halt the advancement of the illness. Although liver scarring is irreversible, the liver has the capability to mend some of the harm.

What is life expectancy with alcoholic hepatitis?

Alcohol-induced hepatitis can shorten your life if you keep drinking. For those identified as male at birth, the chance of living five years is about 70% if they don’t stop. For those identified as female at birth, it’s only 30%. So, if you keep drinking after being diagnosed, you might not live as long as you could. It’s important to take care of your liver by not drinking alcohol if you have hepatitis.

Is alcoholic hepatitis reversible?

Continued alcohol consumption leads to cirrhosis after alcoholic hepatitis. Stopping alcohol intake allows hepatitis to resolve within a few months, but existing cirrhosis does not reverse.

Can you drink after mild alcoholic hepatitis?

If you have been diagnosed with alcoholic hepatitis, it is crucial to abstain from alcohol consumption.

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