Are You at Risk for Alcoholic Hepatitis?
You may have concerns if you’ve noticed yellowing to the whites of your eyes or yellowing of your skin after periods of heavy drinking. These are both symptoms of alcoholic hepatitis and should not be ignored.
If you have yellow eyes and believe you may have alcoholic hepatitis, you should speak to your healthcare provider as soon as possible. You may require blood tests, a liver biopsy to examine the liver tissue, or a CT scan to determine whether you have the condition, all of which will influence any treatment decisions.
If drinking alcohol has led to health problems or has affected your quality of life or that of a loved one, please call our alcohol addiction hotline at (855) 430-9439 and learn about our detox treatment programs. We care, and we can help.
Why Do My Eyes Turn Yellow When I Drink Alcohol?
Yellowing of the eyes is a sign of alcoholic hepatitis, a condition that can develop as a result of alcoholic liver disease. Alcoholic liver disease and alcoholic hepatitis are severe medical conditions, which can be life-threatening.
Heavy drinking and excessive alcohol consumption can lead to inflammation of the liver and fatty liver disease. This can progress to alcoholic hepatitis and, ultimately, cirrhosis. When someone has alcoholic hepatitis, they may notice yellowing of the eyes and skin (jaundice) when they drink alcohol.
Drinking too much alcohol for extended periods can also lead to liver damage and kidney disease. You should always talk to a medical professional, such as your healthcare provider, if you have concerns about your drinking.
Signs of Alcoholic Hepatitis
Heavy drinkers or those with an alcohol use disorder may notice symptoms of alcoholic hepatitis or alcoholic liver disease after binge drinking or excessive alcohol consumption. Drinking alcohol for extended periods may cause more severe symptoms. Common symptoms of alcoholic hepatitis include:
- Weight loss and muscle wasting (malnutrition)
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Yellowing of the skin (jaundice)
- Yellowing of the whites of the eyes
- Redness of the skin on the palms of the hands
- Erectile dysfunction
- Visible blood vessels on the skin
- Confusion
- Pale stools
These are just some of the symptoms of alcoholic hepatitis. If left untreated or if you continue drinking alcohol, symptoms can worsen. Severe alcoholic hepatitis can indicate cirrhosis (scarring of the liver), the final stage of liver diseases, which can be life-threatening.
Alcohol use disorder and heavy drinking can cause alcoholic hepatitis and many other physical and behavioral health problems. If you or a loved one is drinking alcohol frequently and believe it’s affecting your life, call (855) 430-9439 to learn about our alcohol use disorder treatment program. You can also send a message to ask about the available options.
Is it Safe to Drink With Alcoholic Hepatitis?
Drinking alcohol with alcoholic hepatitis isn’t recommended. Continuing to drink alcohol for an extended period of time can cause the liver to progress to the final stage of alcoholic liver disease. Instead, abstaining from alcohol can allow the liver to heal and can prevent irreversible damage from a progressive and serious health condition,
Can You Reverse Yellow Eyes and Skin From Alcohol and Alcoholic Hepatitis?
Jaundice and the other symptoms of alcoholic hepatitis can be frightening. However, if alcoholic liver disease is diagnosed early and hasn’t progressed to cirrhosis and the final stage of alcoholic liver disease, the damage may be reversible. By abstaining from drinking alcohol and making dietary changes, the liver can begin to repair itself.
Severe cases of alcoholic hepatitis that lead to scarring of the liver can be irreversible and life-threatening and can lead to liver cancer.
Treatment for Alcoholic Hepatitis
Once a healthcare provider has performed the necessary tests to diagnose alcoholic hepatitis, abstaining from drinking alcohol is the next step. A liver biopsy, blood tests, liver function tests, and CT scans can help medical professionals determine the severity of the liver disease.
In severe cases of alcoholic hepatitis, a liver transplant may be necessary to avoid liver failure, liver cancer, and other life-threatening conditions.
Mild liver damage that progresses to alcoholic hepatitis can be reversed with the right dietary changes, an alcohol recovery program, and abstaining from alcohol abuse. Continuing to drink a large amount of alcohol will likely lead to a more severe case of alcoholic hepatitis.
Alcohol Rehabilitation for Yellow Eyes and Alcoholic Hepatitis
Treating alcoholic hepatitis requires rehabilitation under the supervision of medical professionals for anyone with an alcohol use disorder. Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is also a progressive condition, and without the right support and treatment, people with AUD may continue to drink large amounts of alcohol, causing alcoholic hepatitis to progress.
Rehab for alcohol use disorder usually starts with a detoxification phase. This is where the person abstains from drinking alcohol and allows their body to adjust to life without it. This can also allow the body to begin healing the liver damage to regain health.
Alcohol use disorder is a complex condition requiring behavioral treatment and detoxification. This is where the person begins to understand their addiction during therapy sessions designed to reframe their thinking and learned behaviors associated with excessive alcohol consumption.
Worried About Alcoholic Hepatitis? Get Help Today
Alcoholic hepatitis is a serious health condition and can be life-threatening. Drinking alcohol and continuing alcohol abuse isn’t recommended if you suffer from the condition. Professional treatment is often required to get back on track and recover from the effects of alcohol. If binge drinking or heavy drinking is a cause of concern, we can help.
It’s never too late to recover from an alcohol use disorder with the right support and professional intervention. Our comprehensive approach means we focus on every aspect of addiction recovery, from detox to sober living.
At Zinnia Health, our teams guide you through the recovery process. We do this with detoxification programs and behavioral therapies designed to combat addiction. We also understand the importance of having a strong support network through recovery.
Our addiction professionals are with you at every step, and you’ll have the opportunity to attend group therapy sessions with others in your situation.
If you’ve recognized you have an alcohol addiction, you’ve already made progress in your recovery. The next step is arranging professional treatment to detox from the effects of alcohol. Call (855) 430-9439 for more information or send us a message.
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