“Liver Let Die”
This is the earliest and reversible stage of ALD.
What is fatty liver/steatosis?
This enzyme converts alcohol into the toxic acetaldehyde.
What is alcohol dehydrogenase?
In ALD, this liver enzyme is typically elevated at a 2:1 ratio over ALT.
What is AST?
Consuming this many shots of whiskey daily for 20 years significantly increases the risk of ALD (the amount of drinks the patient consumed per day)
What is 7 shots?
The most important step in preventing and treating ALD.
What is stopping alcohol consumption?
The toxic byproduct of alcohol metabolism that damages liver cells
What is acetaldehyde
The metabolic pathway that produces reactive oxygen species (ROS) and contributes to oxidative stress
What is the microsomal ethanol-oxidizing system/CYP2E1
A liver function test that measures clotting ability and is prolonged in cirrhosis.
What is INR/prothrombin time?
A life-threatening complication of cirrhosis where veins in the esophagus rupture and bleed.
What are esophageal varices?
A medication used to help manage hepatic encephalopathy by reducing ammonia absorption.
What is lactulose?
The only definitive cure for end-stage liver disease
What is liver transplant?
This liver cell is responsible for storing vitamin A but turns into a fibrosis-producing machine in response to chronic alcohol use
What are hepatic stellate cells?
This imaging test is used to assess liver fat accumulation and fibrosis.
What is an ultrasound?
This condition, caused by high portal vein pressure, leads to excessive fluid buildup in the abdomen.
What is ascites?
This vitamin is often deficient in ALD patients and is supplemented to prevent Wernicke’s encephalopathy.
What is thiamine/Vitamin B1?
This type of liver inflammation is often caused by chronic alcohol use and can lead to jaundice, fever, and liver tenderness
What is alcoholic hepatitis?
Chronic alcohol use disrupts gut permeability, allowing this bacterial toxin to enter the bloodstream and worsen liver inflammation.
What is lipopolysaccharide/LPS?
The scoring system used to predict the severity of alcoholic hepatitis and determine treatment options.
What is Maddrey’s Discriminant Function/MDF?
A neurological disorder caused by ammonia buildup in the blood due to liver failure.
What is hepatic encephalopathy?
This type of diet, rich in protein and nutrients, is recommended for ALD patients to improve liver function.
What is a high-calorie, high-protein diet?
The condition where liver scarring becomes permanent and impairs liver function
What is cirrhosis?
The cytokine responsible for activating hepatic stellate cells and driving fibrosis
What is TGF-β?
This blood marker is elevated in cirrhosis and can indicate an increased risk of hepatic encephalopathy.
What is ammonia?
Chronic alcohol use increases the risk of this type of liver cancer.
What is hepatocellular carcinoma/HCC?
n severe alcoholic hepatitis, this class of drugs may be used to reduce inflammation, though their use is controversial.
What are corticosteroids?