On 26/8, representatives at Medlatec General Hospital reported that a patient was admitted experiencing right upper quadrant pain for about one week, accompanied by fatigue and insomnia. Upon reviewing his medical history, the patient revealed he had consumed a significant amount of alcohol for three consecutive days. About one week later, he began to experience unusual symptoms: bloating, abdominal distension, body aches, full-body itching, unformed stools, and dark urine.

Laboratory results showed his alcohol-related liver damage index was 1,087 U/L, approximately 18 times higher than the normal limit. He also had elevated liver enzymes and fatty liver degeneration. Doctors diagnosed him with acute alcoholic hepatitis. He was advised to completely stop consuming alcohol and alcoholic beverages, prescribed treatment, and scheduled for a follow-up appointment after one month.

Doctor Pham Thi Que, a gastroenterology specialist, stated that alcohol consumption at social gatherings or work-related parties should be approached cautiously. Acute alcoholic hepatitis can develop from heavy, continuous drinking over a short period.

Alcoholic hepatitis is a condition where prolonged, excessive alcohol consumption leads to inflammation and damage to liver cells. The disease can manifest as acute or chronic, progressing from asymptomatic or mild stages to severe liver dysfunction, including cirrhosis, liver cancer, and even death.

Common symptoms of alcoholic hepatitis that warrant immediate medical attention include: jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes); loss of appetite, fatigue, weight loss; nausea, vomiting; abdominal pain, sometimes high fever. Examination may reveal an enlarged, tender liver and an enlarged spleen. In more severe cases, ascites (fluid accumulation in the abdomen), edema, and bleeding may occur. Alcohol addiction can also lead to malnutrition due to appetite suppression, as much of the caloric intake comes from alcohol.

If detected and managed promptly, acute alcoholic hepatitis can be well-controlled. However, continued alcohol consumption can lead to recurrent liver damage, progressing through several stages: fatty liver, hepatitis, and eventually cirrhosis, significantly increasing the risk of liver cancer. In Vietnam, liver cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. The country ranks among the top 10 nations globally with the highest rates of liver cancer incidence and mortality.

Doctors advise limiting alcohol consumption. Liver diseases often progress silently in the early stages. By the time symptoms appear, the condition is usually more serious, often in its later stages. Therefore, annual general health check-ups and regular liver function tests are crucial.

Thuy Quynh