Best Doctors in India for Alcoholic Hepatitis Treatment
- Top Medical Gastroenterologist, Hepatologist | Apollo Hospital, New Delhi, India
- 35+ Years Experience
- Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. Sanjay Sikka is a general physician who specializes in medical gastroenterology. He is a gastroenterologist and hepatologist with over 32 years of experience in liver disease, therapeutic endoscopy, and gastrointestinal consultations.
- Dr. Sikka is practicing as a senior consultant in the Gastroenterology department at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi.
- Being Professor at the GSUM Medical College in Kanpur, Dr. Sanjay Sikka was also involved in scholarly activity. He has several papers that appeared in numerous national and international periodicals.
- Top Medical Oncologist | Apollo Hospital, New Delhi, India
- 20+ Years Experience
- Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. P.K. Das is a highly esteemed medical oncologist in Delhi, renowned for his extensive experience spanning over 20 years.
- His practice is dedicated to providing comprehensive and compassionate care to patients grappling with various types and stages of cancer.
- Specializing in medical oncology, Dr. Das possesses profound expertise in diagnosing and treating cancers affecting diverse organs including breast, lung, colon, prostate, pancreas, liver, and kidney.
- Orthopedic Surgeon, Gurugram, India
- 33 years’ experience
- Medanta-The Medicity, Gurgaon
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. Raman Kant Aggarwal is a leading Orthopedic Surgeon with expertise in the management and treatment of shoulders and sports injuries.
- He has been performing orthopedic surgeries for the shoulder and sports injuries for more than 33 years and has experience in performing all kinds of replacement and reconstruction surgeries of the shoulders and upper limbs.
- He holds the credit for performing the highest number of total shoulder replacement surgery and shoulder arthroscopy in Delhi and NCR.
- Neurologist, Chennai, India
- Over 25 years’ experience
- Apollo Hospitals Greams Road
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. S. Yogaraj is an experienced Neurologist in India, having over 25 years of experience in the field.
- He specializes in treating emergency neurology conditions like stroke, neuromuscular disorders, CNS infections, Peripheral Nerve issues, etc.
- Dr. Yogaraj is also instrumental in designing, implementing, and reporting electrophysiological training. He trained physicians, neurologists, and paramedical staff.
- Top Dentist | Max Hospital, Saket, New Delhi, India
- 10+ Years Experience
- Max Super Specialty Hospital, Saket, New Delhi
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. Aishwarya Verma is a highly accomplished dental professional with extensive expertise in Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry.
- Currently serving as the Principal Consultant at Max Healthcare, she brings a wealth of experience from her previous roles, including her tenure as a Senior Resident at Maulana Azad Medical College.
- Dr. Verma’s academic background includes a BDS and an MDS, complemented by specialized training in Nobel implant courses.
- Orthopaedic Surgeon, Chennai, India
- Over 25 years’ experience
- Apollo Hospitals Greams Road
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. Madan Mohan Reddy is one of India’s most acclaimed Orthopedic Surgeons, currently serving as a senior orthopedic surgeon at Apollo Hospital, Chennai.
- Having practiced medicine for almost two decades in India and the UK, he specializes in treating various orthopedic conditions.
- When it comes to difficult foot and ankle patients, hip replacements, knee replacements, and lower extremity trauma, Dr. Reddy has an excellent track record.
- Throughout his medical career, he has also devoted a large portion of his time to improving the techniques for orthopedic procedures such as knee replacements, shoulder surgeries, and other procedures.
- Hematologist, Gurugram, India
- Over 17 years’ experience
- Paras Hospital Gurugram
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. Rahul Naithani is a highly skilled clinical Hematologist known for his expertise in Hemato Oncology and BMT. He is currently serving as the Director & HOD in the Department of Hematology and Hemat-oncology at Paras Hospitals in Gurugram.
- He has performed over 260 BMTs successfully, demonstrating his dedication to improving patient outcomes and advancing treatment options.
- He completed his MD in Pediatrics from Lady Hardinge Medical College in Delhi, followed by a DM in Clinical Hematology from AIIMS, New Delhi.
- Eye Surgeon, Ophthalmologist, New Delhi, India
- Over 25 years’ experience
- Fortis Memorial Research Institute
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. Parul M Sharma is a highly esteemed ophthalmologist with a distinguished career spanning over 25 years.
- Dr. Sharma has augmented her expertise through training at esteemed institutions including Moorfield Eye Hospital in London, LV Prasad Eye Institute in Hyderabad, and the Singapore National Eye Centre.
- Specializing in a wide spectrum of ophthalmic disciplines, Dr. Sharma’s areas of expertise encompass Glaucoma management, advanced Cataract surgeries (including FEMTO BLADELESS and Micro Phacoemulsification), Refractive surgery (such as FEMTO BLADELESS Lasik, PRK, and Phakic ICL), Squint correction, treatment of Keratoconus, as well as Pediatric and other Anterior Segment Surgeries and Laser procedures.
- Liver Transplant & Hepato-Pancreatic Biliary Surgery, New Delhi, India
- 19 + years’ experience
- Manipal Hospitals, New Delhi
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. Shailendra Lalwani is a distinguished leader and innovator in the field of Liver Transplantation and Hepato-Pancreatic-Biliary (HPB) Surgery.
- As the Head of the Department and Consultant for these specialties, Dr. Lalwani brings unparalleled expertise and a wealth of experience to his role, shaping the future of advanced surgical care with precision and compassion.
- Dr. Lalwani’s academic and professional credentials reflect a commitment to excellence and continuous learning. He holds an MBBS, an MS in General Surgery, and a DNB in Surgical Gastroenterology.
- Top Pediatric Hematologist, Oncologist & BMT Specialist | Kokilaben Hospital, Mumbai, India
- 30+ Years Experience
- Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. Santanu Sen is among the top-rated Pediatric Oncologists and BMT specialists in India and is highly skilled in the treatment of brain, blood, bone cancer, and other types of blood disorders in children.
- He holds extensive experience of more than 30 years in the field of Pediatric Oncology during which he has taken up and treated several cases of malignant and benign tumors in children.
- Dr. Sen finds his interest mainly in the treatment of pediatric patients with Leukemia, Lymphoma, brain tumors, and other types of blood disorders.
- He is currently associated as a Consultant with Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai where he also heads the Pediatric BMT Program. This program holds the credit for performing BMTs on the youngest baby in the world (4 months for Neuroblastoma) as well as the youngest Thalassemia transplant in India (9-month-old baby).
Best Hospitals in India for Alcoholic Hepatitis Treatment
ALCOHOLIC HEPATITIS
Alcoholic hepatitis is a liver infection, which is mainly caused by frequent, heavy use of alcohol. Fat can build up in the liver cells, which might lead to inflammation as well as scarring of the liver.
Alcoholic hepatitis might be mild or severe. A patient might even need a liver transplant if proper treatment is not provided, or if they don’t stop consumption of alcohol.
It is also notable that all heavy drinkers don’t develop this condition, and sometimes this condition even develops in people who drink moderately. However, if you are diagnosed with this condition, it is important for you to quit drinking alcohol. People who continue drinking alcohol might face a huge risk of serious liver damage as well as death.
Symptoms
Depending on the amount of damage to the liver, the symptoms can vary. If you are having a mild form of the disease, you might not even experience any symptoms at all. However, as the damage continues to grow, you might experience the following:
- Changes in appetite
- Dry mouth
- Weight loss
- Pain or swelling in the abdomen
- Jaundice, or yellowing of the skin or eyes
- Fever
- Nausea and vomiting
- Easy bleeding or bruising
- Changes in your mental state, including confusion
- Fatigue
The symptoms of this condition are similar to those caused by a few other health conditions. Therefore, if you develop any of these symptoms, it is best to get a proper diagnosis as well as begin treatment.
Causes & risk factors
Alcoholic hepatitis generally develops when the alcohol you drink causes damage to your liver. However, it is not clear why alcohol does this damages only to some heavy drinkers.
Few factors that are known to play a role in this condition include:
- The body’s process that breaks down alcohol produces some toxic chemicals
- These chemicals can trigger inflammation that can destroy the liver cells
- Thus, over time, scars replace healthy liver tissue, thus interfering with the function of the liver
- This irreversible scarring, which is also termed cirrhosis, is the final stage of alcoholic liver disease
If you have hepatitis C and continue to drink, even moderately, you are more likely to develop cirrhosis.
Some heavy drinkers are also malnourished because they don’t eat a proper balanced diet. Alcohol and its byproducts also prevent the body from absorbing nutrition properly. Lack of nutrition can contribute to liver cell damage.
Some other risk factors that can lead to this condition include:
- Your sex- Women are usually at a higher risk of developing alcoholic hepatitis since the way alcohol is processed in women is different.
- Binge drinking- Having over five drinks within two hours for men and four or more for women can increase the risk of alcoholic hepatitis.
- Obesity- Heavy drinkers who are overweight are also more likely to develop alcoholic hepatitis and to progress from that condition to cirrhosis.
- Race and ethnicity- Hispanic and Negroid people might be at higher risk of alcoholic hepatitis.
- Genetic factors- According to studies, there may be a genetic component in alcohol-induced liver disease. However, it is difficult to separate genetic and environmental factors.
Diagnosis
If you are showing symptoms of alcoholic hepatitis, your doctor will first inquire about your medical history and alcohol consumption. Next, he/she will perform a physical exam to see if you have an enlarged liver or spleen. They might also need a few more tests to confirm your diagnosis, such as:
- Complete blood count (CBC)
- Liver function test
- Ultrasound of the liver
- Abdominal CT scan
- Blood clotting tests
In some cases, a liver biopsy might also be needed to confirm the diagnosis of alcoholic hepatitis. A liver biopsy requires your doctor to remove a tissue sample from your liver, which is then tested in the lab. This method helps to show the severity and type of liver disease.
Treatment
Stopping alcohol consumption is the most important treatment for alcoholic hepatitis. There is no cure for this condition, but treatment can help in reducing or eliminating symptoms, or stopping its progression.
It is also important to note that scarring of the liver is permanent, but treatment can aim to restore as much function as possible.
Dietary changes
Your doctor might also recommend dietary changes, vitamin supplements, or a focused diet plan to correct the imbalance of nutrients in the body.
Medication
Doctors might also prescribe medicines to prevent inflammation of the liver.
Liver transplant
In severe cases, the only chance for survival may be a liver transplant. Unfortunately, in such cases, the process of finding a donor can be long and complicated.
The best hope of recovery is to be aware of the signs and symptoms as well as to reduce, manage, or if possible, completely stop consumption of alcohol.
Complications
Alcoholic hepatitis might lead to severe other complications such as:
- Enlarged veins (varices)- In this condition, blood that is unable to flow freely through the portal vein, can back up into other blood vessels in your esophagus or stomach.
- Hepatic encephalopathy- This condition can be caused by the buildup of toxins if your damaged liver is unable to remove all the toxins from your body. It involves confusion, drowsiness, and slurred speech.
- Ascites- Ascites is a condition in which the fluid that accumulates in the abdomen may get infected and thus, require treatment with antibiotics. Although this condition is not life-threatening, it can be a sign of advanced alcoholic hepatitis, or cirrhosis.
- Kidney failure- A damaged liver affects blood flow to the kidneys, thus resulting in kidney failure.
- Cirrhosis- The scarring of the liver might lead to liver failure.
Prevention
Alcoholic hepatitis might be prevented if you take the following steps:
- Drink alcohol in moderation, if at all- For healthy adults, moderate drinking means no more than one drink a day for women of all ages and men older than 65, and not over two drinks a day for men aged 65 and younger. However, if you prevent all alcohol, it is a certain way to prevent this condition.
- Check before mixing medications and alcohol- Ask your doctor if it’s safe to drink alcohol while you are taking medications. Consider reading the warning labels on over-the-counter medications as well. Don’t drink alcohol when you are taking medications that warn of complications when combined with alcohol.
- Protect yourself from hepatitis C- Hepatitis C is an infectious liver disease that is caused by a virus. If it is left untreated, it may lead to cirrhosis. If you are having hepatitis C and you consume alcohol, you’re generally more likely to develop cirrhosis than if you don’t drink.