Best Doctors in India for Alcoholic Hepatitis Treatment
- Cardiac Surgeon, Mumbai, India
- Over 24 years’ experience
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. Zainulabedin Hamdulay is one of the best cardiac surgeons in Mumbai, India, and specializes in devising new and innovative techniques for cardiac surgeries.
- He has 24+ years of experience and has performed over 8000 cardiac surgeries that included complex valve repairs, congenital cardiac surgery, CABG, and several minimally invasive cardiac surgeries.
- With a motive to provide the best, affordable and comprehensive cardiac care to all his patients, he founded the Hamdulay Heart Foundation to provide aid to the economically backward community.
- Rheumatologist, Chennai, India
- Over 38 years’ experience
- Apollo Hospitals Greams Road
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. Ramakrishnan S is a highly esteemed Rheumatologist with over 35 years of experience specializing in the diagnosis and management of a broad spectrum of rheumatic diseases.
- He currently serves as a Senior Consultant Rheumatologist at Apollo Hospital, Chennai.
- Throughout his career, Dr. Ramakrishnan has been dedicated to advancing the field of rheumatology. His areas of expertise cover a wide range of conditions, from Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome and recurrent pregnancy loss to IGG4 Disease and biologic therapies for rheumatic conditions. He is also skilled in managing eye involvement in rheumatic diseases and various forms of vasculitis.
- Top Orthopedic Surgeon | Max Hospital, Saket, New Delhi, India
- 30+ Years Experience
- Max Super Specialty Hospital, Saket, New Delhi
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. S K S Marya is a highly renowned and acclaimed Orthopedic Surgeon in India and has performed over 15,000 joint replacement surgeries till date.
- He is one of the most experienced orthopedic surgeons specializing in joint replacement surgery of upper and lower limb joints (both primary and revision) and Trauma management according to AO principles.
- His surgical career in numbers is quite high with 3500 simultaneous knee replacement surgeries and over 3000 hip replacement surgeries.
- Top Neurosurgeon and Spine Surgeon | Apollo Hospital, New Delhi, India
- 33+ Years Experience
- Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. Sudheer Kumar Tyagi is a highly esteemed Neurosurgeon with over 33 years of exemplary experience in the field of neurosurgery.
- Affiliated with Apollo Hospitals Indraprastha in New Delhi, Dr. Tyagi holds an MBBS, MS, and MCh in Neurosurgery.
- His career is marked by a dedication to advancing neurosurgical techniques and improving patient outcomes through precise and innovative surgical practices.
- Top Obstetrician & Gynaecologist | Apollo Hospital, New Delhi, India
- 46+ Years Experience
- Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. Shakti Bhan Khanna currently affiliated with Apollo Hospitals Indraprastha in New Delhi.
- Dr. Khanna holds both an MBBS and MD, and she is renowned for her expertise in various aspects of obstetrics and gynecology, including gynecologic oncology, endocrinology, infertility, and high-risk pregnancies.
- Dr. Shakti Bhan Khanna is a highly esteemed Obstetrician and Gynaecologist with over 46 years of experience in the field.
- Pulmonologist, Chennai, India
- Over 40 years’ experience
- Apollo Hospitals Greams Road
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. Raj B Singh is a distinguished Respiratory Medicine Specialist with an impressive career spanning over 36 years.
- Currently practicing at Apollo Hospitals, Greams Road, Chennai, Dr. Singh has garnered extensive experience and expertise in managing a wide range of respiratory conditions.
- Dr. Singh’s expertise encompasses a variety of respiratory services, including Respiratory Tract Infection, Bronchitis Treatment, Mediastinoscopy, Pulmonary Function Testing, Tracheostomy, Pneumonectomy, and Decortication.
- Top ENT Surgeon | Apollo Hospital, New Delhi, India
- 38+ Years Experience
- Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. Sabir Husain Ansari is a highly esteemed ENT specialist with over 38 years of experience, practicing at Apollo Hospitals Indraprastha in New Delhi.
- Renowned for his deep expertise in the field of ear, nose, and throat health, Dr. Ansari has dedicated his career to providing comprehensive and compassionate care to his patients.
- Dr. Ansari’s clinical expertise covers a broad spectrum of ENT conditions, from common issues like sinusitis, tonsillitis, and migraines to more complex cases involving head and neck tumors, congenital ear problems, and nasopharyngeal angiofibroma.
- Radiation Oncologist, Chennai, India
- Over 33 years’ experience
- Apollo Proton Cancer Centre
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. Sapna Nangia is a highly proficient clinical and radiation oncologist with versatile experience in cancer management.
- She has an experience of more than 33 years as a doctor across various eminent institutions in the country.
- Vascular Surgeon, Chennai, India
- Over 30 years’ experience
- Apollo Hospitals Greams Road
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. Balaji V is a highly respected vascular surgeon with over 22 years of experience in the field.
- His expertise in treating complex vascular conditions has earned him a stellar reputation and numerous accolades. Dr. Balaji holds an MBBS, MS, and three prestigious Fellowships from the Royal College of Surgeons (FRCS), including one in General Surgery, showcasing his commitment to excellence and advanced knowledge in vascular surgery.
- Currently, Dr. Balaji practices at Apollo Hospitals Greams Road in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, where he offers top-notch care and treatment for various vascular health issues. His extensive experience and dedication ensure that patients receive the highest standard of care for their vascular needs.
- Orthopedic Surgeon & Spine Surgeon, Mumbai, India
- Over 20 years’ experience
- Reliance Hospital Navi Mumbai
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. Gautam Zaveri is one of the best spine surgeons in India today and has performed over 3000 spinal surgeries for the treatment of spinal fractures, trauma, slipped discs, kyphosis, scoliosis, sciatica, spondylolisthesis, and spinal stenosis.
- Dr. Zaveri specializes in Minimally Invasive Spine Surgeries commonly known as MISS and performs most of his procedures using this technique to minimize cuts and speed up the recovery process.
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.