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My Son Was Just Diagnosed With Alcoholic Hepatitis And Is

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Posted on Wed, 29 May 2019
Question: My son was just diagnosed with alcoholic hepatitis and is weening off alcohol as we speak... he had a bowel movement this AM that was gray he said... he has not been eating very much either... blood pressure is good but heart rate is around 112 with O2 sat at 90%... the gray colored stool is of concern to me...
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Follow up: Dr. Ramesh Kumar (0 minute later)
My son was just diagnosed with alcoholic hepatitis and is weening off alcohol as we speak... he had a bowel movement this AM that was gray he said... he has not been eating very much either... blood pressure is good but heart rate is around 112 with O2 sat at 90%... the gray colored stool is of concern to me...
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
It seems to be normal.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for choosing 'Ask a Doctor' service for your query,
I have gone through your details and I appreciate your concerns,

As per your description, your son is weaning off alcohol. Alcohol effects almost all systems of our body including nervous as well as intestines. Intestines are supplied by nerves which stimulate intestine to move called persistalsis.

Now the color of stools depends on the breakdown of bile. This bile mixes in intestine with food to break down into a yellow colored pigment giving yellow colors to stools.

In case the rate of peristalysis is decreased or increased the green colored bile is not properly broken hence forming pigments ranging from colors grey brown black green etc.

If patient is stable as his vitals suggest heart rate mildly elevated is not an issue it could be due to alcohol withdrawal (if it's more then 140/min it's a matter to worry) grey color of stool has no significance as such.

As alcholol withdrawal symptoms would go away color would return to normal.

Hope I was helpful.
Feel free to follow up.
Regards.


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (0 minute later)
Brief Answer:
It seems to be normal.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for choosing 'Ask a Doctor' service for your query,
I have gone through your details and I appreciate your concerns,

As per your description, your son is weaning off alcohol. Alcohol effects almost all systems of our body including nervous as well as intestines. Intestines are supplied by nerves which stimulate intestine to move called persistalsis.

Now the color of stools depends on the breakdown of bile. This bile mixes in intestine with food to break down into a yellow colored pigment giving yellow colors to stools.

In case the rate of peristalysis is decreased or increased the green colored bile is not properly broken hence forming pigments ranging from colors grey brown black green etc.

If patient is stable as his vitals suggest heart rate mildly elevated is not an issue it could be due to alcohol withdrawal (if it's more then 140/min it's a matter to worry) grey color of stool has no significance as such.

As alcholol withdrawal symptoms would go away color would return to normal.

Hope I was helpful.
Feel free to follow up.
Regards.


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ramesh Kumar (39 minutes later)
Thank you so much!!! That makes me feel so much better!!
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Follow up: Dr. Ramesh Kumar (0 minute later)
Thank you so much!!! That makes me feel so much better!!
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Follow up: Dr. Ramesh Kumar (13 minutes later)
I have one more question... if you are Dx with Alcoholic Hepatitis and you quit drinking will your liver repair itself? His AST was 310 but his ALT was 78... also his platelets were 64... just wondering...
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Follow up: Dr. Ramesh Kumar (0 minute later)
I have one more question... if you are Dx with Alcoholic Hepatitis and you quit drinking will your liver repair itself? His AST was 310 but his ALT was 78... also his platelets were 64... just wondering...
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (51 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Follow up.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for follow up...

Yes by God's grace liver is the only organ in our body which can rejuvenate itself completely and even regenerate itself.

You would be amazed to know that person could live a completely normal life with only 20% functional liver.

You can start milk of thistle a natural rejuvenator also for fast recovery.
Liver enzymes would come back to normal within 30 days.
Give him a high carbohydrate and low fat based diet.

He would be fine very soon.
Hope I was easy to understand.

Follow up in case you need any more help.
Thank you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (0 minute later)
Brief Answer:
Follow up.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for follow up...

Yes by God's grace liver is the only organ in our body which can rejuvenate itself completely and even regenerate itself.

You would be amazed to know that person could live a completely normal life with only 20% functional liver.

You can start milk of thistle a natural rejuvenator also for fast recovery.
Liver enzymes would come back to normal within 30 days.
Give him a high carbohydrate and low fat based diet.

He would be fine very soon.
Hope I was easy to understand.

Follow up in case you need any more help.
Thank you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ramesh Kumar (2 hours later)
Thank you!!!
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Follow up: Dr. Ramesh Kumar (0 minute later)
Thank you!!!
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Welcome.

Detailed Answer:
Thank you.
Do rate the answer.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (0 minute later)
Brief Answer:
Welcome.

Detailed Answer:
Thank you.
Do rate the answer.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ramesh Kumar (4 days later)
My son quit drinking approx 72 hours ago and his skin is more yellow and his urine is very dark... his bilirubin was 4 something about 10 days ago... also he is running a low grade temp...is this normal? I've been reading online about alcoholic hepatitis and it has got me worried...
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Follow up: Dr. Ramesh Kumar (0 minute later)
My son quit drinking approx 72 hours ago and his skin is more yellow and his urine is very dark... his bilirubin was 4 something about 10 days ago... also he is running a low grade temp...is this normal? I've been reading online about alcoholic hepatitis and it has got me worried...
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (10 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Just calm down it's normal.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again my dear patient,.
Basically your son is doing it on will power only so derangments of parameters mild to moderate is normal.
However as per de addiction protocol.Usually patient is given Acamprost tablets along with benzodiazepenes.
Hepatitis consists of two words Hep plus titi's...Hep stands for liver and titi's means inflammation.Liver cells produces and stores enzymes like ALT AST Bilirubin etc.When ever there is severe inflammation in liver cells these enzymes would be released into blood stream.So mild elevation is absolutely normal.Even if you will visit ER they would prescribe high cabohydrate based diet like sugarcane juice and other fruit juice with low fat diet.
Inflammation would take time to settle down almost a week or two.Till then watch for symptoms like high grade fever,Severe nausea,Vomiting,Irritablity,Restlessness,Aggressive behaviour(alcohol withdrawal).If these happens visit ER other wise just give him paracetamol for fever and melatonin to sleep.
In food give him high carbohydrate based diet.
Yes I would recommend him milk of thistle supplement to help liver rejenuvate fast.
Hope I was helpful,
Don't worry too much,
In case you have any confusion write back to me,
Wish him a good luck.
Do rate the answer and any suggestions to make answer better is welcome.
Regards and may God bless him.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (0 minute later)
Brief Answer:
Just calm down it's normal.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again my dear patient,.
Basically your son is doing it on will power only so derangments of parameters mild to moderate is normal.
However as per de addiction protocol.Usually patient is given Acamprost tablets along with benzodiazepenes.
Hepatitis consists of two words Hep plus titi's...Hep stands for liver and titi's means inflammation.Liver cells produces and stores enzymes like ALT AST Bilirubin etc.When ever there is severe inflammation in liver cells these enzymes would be released into blood stream.So mild elevation is absolutely normal.Even if you will visit ER they would prescribe high cabohydrate based diet like sugarcane juice and other fruit juice with low fat diet.
Inflammation would take time to settle down almost a week or two.Till then watch for symptoms like high grade fever,Severe nausea,Vomiting,Irritablity,Restlessness,Aggressive behaviour(alcohol withdrawal).If these happens visit ER other wise just give him paracetamol for fever and melatonin to sleep.
In food give him high carbohydrate based diet.
Yes I would recommend him milk of thistle supplement to help liver rejenuvate fast.
Hope I was helpful,
Don't worry too much,
In case you have any confusion write back to me,
Wish him a good luck.
Do rate the answer and any suggestions to make answer better is welcome.
Regards and may God bless him.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ramesh Kumar (11 hours later)
Thank you Dr. XXXXXXX ..you have really helped me and I appreciate it...I'm a RN but it seems like when its your child you forget everything...He is doing a little better but he still also has edema in his ankles and feet and has myopathy in BLE making it hard to walk... will this subside also? How will I know if the liver is permanently damaged? Thanks for your patience with me!!
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Follow up: Dr. Ramesh Kumar (0 minute later)
Thank you Dr. XXXXXXX ..you have really helped me and I appreciate it...I'm a RN but it seems like when its your child you forget everything...He is doing a little better but he still also has edema in his ankles and feet and has myopathy in BLE making it hard to walk... will this subside also? How will I know if the liver is permanently damaged? Thanks for your patience with me!!
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (26 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Follow up.

Detailed Answer:
Help again my dear,

A simple test called ultrasound of the liver would be done to see if the liver is damaged or not.

Edema is due to the liver-related problem. As the things would get better edema would subside. The liver produces proteins that bound water in the blood. In hepatitis, synthesis of this protein decreases causing water to move outside in space like ankle sacral spine around eye, etc.

Hope I was helpful.
Thanks.


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (0 minute later)
Brief Answer:
Follow up.

Detailed Answer:
Help again my dear,

A simple test called ultrasound of the liver would be done to see if the liver is damaged or not.

Edema is due to the liver-related problem. As the things would get better edema would subside. The liver produces proteins that bound water in the blood. In hepatitis, synthesis of this protein decreases causing water to move outside in space like ankle sacral spine around eye, etc.

Hope I was helpful.
Thanks.


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ramesh Kumar (1 hour later)
Last question I promise.... About how long does it take for the abdomen to go down? Also I am going to do some follow up labs in about a week if they are getting better should I do a ultra sound? Thanks again for all your help...
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Follow up: Dr. Ramesh Kumar (0 minute later)
Last question I promise.... About how long does it take for the abdomen to go down? Also I am going to do some follow up labs in about a week if they are getting better should I do a ultra sound? Thanks again for all your help...
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (6 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Follow up.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again my dear,
You may ask as many queries you want...

For abdomen to go down it will take about 4 to 6 weeks.

However for enzymes to lower 14 to 21 days are enough.
Ultrasound is a basic test and should be done.

Thanks
Feel free to follow up.


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (0 minute later)
Brief Answer:
Follow up.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again my dear,
You may ask as many queries you want...

For abdomen to go down it will take about 4 to 6 weeks.

However for enzymes to lower 14 to 21 days are enough.
Ultrasound is a basic test and should be done.

Thanks
Feel free to follow up.


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ramesh Kumar (2 hours later)
Thank you!! God bless!!
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Follow up: Dr. Ramesh Kumar (0 minute later)
Thank you!! God bless!!
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (6 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Welcome.

Detailed Answer:
Your welcome,
Hope I was helpful,
Feel free to follow up,
Do rate the answer.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana
doctor
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (0 minute later)
Brief Answer:
Welcome.

Detailed Answer:
Your welcome,
Hope I was helpful,
Feel free to follow up,
Do rate the answer.
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Ramesh Kumar

Gastroenterologist

Practicing since :1986

Answered : 2906 Questions

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My Son Was Just Diagnosed With Alcoholic Hepatitis And Is

My son was just diagnosed with alcoholic hepatitis and is weening off alcohol as we speak... he had a bowel movement this AM that was gray he said... he has not been eating very much either... blood pressure is good but heart rate is around 112 with O2 sat at 90%... the gray colored stool is of concern to me...