What Is Alcohol Induced Hepatitis?

you dont have to be a heavy drinker or drink often to have alcoholic hepatitis. i was diagnosed with it when i was 19 and i vary rarely ever drank. genetics can be the cause

Did your friend have any symptoms? If so what were they. I have been having many symptoms from my liver. Pain upper right quadrant. Seems likeit comes from my back and radiates around the rib cage. I also on accasion get pain on the left in my back right were the rib and spine connect. if I stretch it goes away. I was fatigued for a time and I had nausea and vomiting. Please let me know what you think. I drank for 4 years pretty well everyday and ended the last year with alot of Extascy and cocaine ... only in the nostril. I am worried about Hep C?? But is it more likely it could be caused from the excessive drinking and drug use? the pain is constant, lack of appetite, pale stool?

I just wanted to share that my friend, who once thought he might have alcohol induced hepatitis, learned that his liver levels were off because he was exposed to hepatitis A. It turns out, his strong immune system naturally beat the disease and his levels are now back to normal.

I agree-- it very well could've been a false positive. I have had a false positive for hep in the past myself.

Best of luck to him and I hope that test comes back negative.

Shannon--

My mistake-- kidney was a typo, since I had just answered a question that pertained to the kidneys I must have still had it on the brain.

If he is only 21 and an occasional drinker, this may or may not not be what he has. However, Alcoholic Hepatitis can be triggered by any other underlying condition which may also affect the liver therefore making him more susceptible.

Here is a link to the Mayo Clinic, where you can read exactly what it is, what causes it, and ways to treat alcoholic hepatitis.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/alcoholic-hepatitis/DS00785

Shannon,

I'm very sorry that someone close to you has been diagnosed with what is known as Alcoholic hepatitis.

Alcoholic Hepatitis is caused by excessive alcoholic drinking and actually affects only a small number of chronic abusers. After years of heavy use, the alcohol damages the person's liver. The risk of getting alcoholic hepatitis increases with use and time. Meaning-- the longer and more you drink, the greater your chances of damaging the kidney are. Genetic factors, other diseases, malnutrition, and any other type of hepatitis already present are other risk factors for developing AH.

The single, most important treatment that your friend can do for himself is complete abstinence from alcohol. This is the only thing that can either prevent the disease from getting worse or preferably reverse the symptoms. Drug therapy, nutritional therapy, and lifestyle changes are other forms of treatment. In a worst case scenario, a liver transplant may be necessary.

I wish the best of luck to your friend, he may be able to use this as an experience and turn his life around in a positive way. I am sending my positive thoughts and wishes his way.