i. Yellowing of the eyes, also known as jaundice, is a symptom commonly observed in patients with alcohol-related liver disease. This yellow discoloration occurs due to the buildup of bilirubin, a yellow pigment formed from the breakdown of red blood cells, in the body. In a healthy liver, bilirubin is processed and excreted. However, excessive alcohol consumption can lead to liver damage or inflammation (hepatitis), impairing the liver’s ability to properly metabolize and eliminate bilirubin.
When the liver is unable to process bilirubin effectively, it accumulates in the bloodstream and causes various tissues, including the whites of the eyes, to appear yellowish. This yellow coloration indicates an underlying dysfunction in liver function and serves as a visual marker for alcohol-related liver disease.
ii. Swelling in the ankles and tummy is another common symptom seen in patients with alcohol-related liver disease, specifically a condition called ascites. Ascites refers to the accumulation of fluid within the abdominal cavity.
Alcohol-related liver disease can cause liver cirrhosis or scarring, which disrupts normal blood flow through the liver and increases pressure within certain blood vessels (portal hypertension). As a result, fluid leaks out from these blood vessels into surrounding tissues, leading to swelling or edema.
The accumulation of fluid primarily affects two areas: ankles and tummy. Swelling in the ankles (peripheral edema) occurs due to impaired circulation and increased pressure within veins that drain blood from lower extremities. On the other hand, swelling in the tummy (abdominal ascites) results from fluid buildup in response to increased pressure within portal veins.
Both ankle swelling and tummy swelling are indicative of advanced stages of alcohol-related liver disease and serve as signs of compromised liver function and circulatory disturbances caused by chronic alcohol abuse.
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