Does liver abscess have a connection with drinking alcohol?

Written by Zhang Wei Wei
Integrative Medicine
Updated on September 19, 2024
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Patients with liver abscesses are prohibited from drinking alcohol, because the main component of alcoholic beverages is ethanol, which needs to be metabolized by the liver and directly damages it. Excessive drinking can exacerbate the burden on the liver, worsening the condition. Therefore, patients with liver abscesses must absolutely avoid alcohol. If a patient insists on drinking, they should only do so in moderation three months after the abscess has healed. However, it is generally advised not to drink at all. It is beneficial for the liver if patients consume fresh vegetables and fruits and maintain a light diet, avoiding greasy and rich foods. This diet can also prevent the adhesion and aggregation of platelets, reduce the decline in white blood cells, and promote blood circulation and dispel stasis.

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Written by Zhang Wei Wei
Integrative Medicine
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Reasons why liver abscesses do not liquefy

The reasons for the non-liquefaction of liver abscesses, in my opinion, are several. The first is that the abscess is very large, and the second is the inappropriate use of antibiotics. So, what can we do to solve this problem? Firstly, liquefaction of a liver abscess takes time, and it is difficult for a large abscess or a single large abscess to be absorbed on its own. Therefore, it requires combining with percutaneous drainage. Often, even if the abscess has not fully liquefied, fine needle aspiration can still be performed to extract the pus for culture, and then identify the sensitive antibiotics. After administering a sufficient amount and course of the sensitive antibiotics, the liquefaction of the liver abscess can be accelerated and the pus can be expelled sooner.

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Written by Zhang Wei Wei
Integrative Medicine
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Is a liver abscess serious? How is it treated?

If acute abdomen and peritonitis caused by liver abscesses, rupture, hemorrhage, or pyothorax, etc., liver abscesses are relatively severe. In these cases, the first steps should be the use of adequate antibiotics for a sufficient course, along with systemic supportive therapy, then controlling the inflammation and promoting the absorption of the inflammation. For conditions like rupture of liver abscesses or severe damage to the liver lobes that results in loss of normal function, surgical removal may also be considered. Additionally, for large liver abscesses that have perforated, causing peritonitis, pyothorax, or cholangiogenic liver abscess, while using systemic antibiotics, actively incising and draining the abscess should be considered. (Please use medications and treatment under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Zhang Wei Wei
Integrative Medicine
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What should I do if a liver abscess ruptures?

Firstly, we must keep our emotions stable, avoid being nervous, avoid anxiety, and avoid shouting loudly, as these can increase the likelihood of bleeding. Do not excessively increase the pressure in the abdominal cavity. So, what treatment methods do we have? There are two types of treatments: surgical and non-surgical. If the patient has a mild liver rupture and stable vital signs without persistent active bleeding, treatment can be administered through blood transfusion, fluid infusion, hemostasis, antibacterial drugs, and hepatoprotective drugs. However, it is crucial to closely monitor the patient's vital signs and regularly review the imaging studies of the condition. We must diligently observe any changes in the patient's condition. If evidence of active bleeding occurs during conservative treatment, then surgical intervention must be immediately performed.

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Written by Zhang Wei Wei
Integrative Medicine
53sec home-news-image

Does liver abscess have a connection with drinking alcohol?

Patients with liver abscesses are prohibited from drinking alcohol, because the main component of alcoholic beverages is ethanol, which needs to be metabolized by the liver and directly damages it. Excessive drinking can exacerbate the burden on the liver, worsening the condition. Therefore, patients with liver abscesses must absolutely avoid alcohol. If a patient insists on drinking, they should only do so in moderation three months after the abscess has healed. However, it is generally advised not to drink at all. It is beneficial for the liver if patients consume fresh vegetables and fruits and maintain a light diet, avoiding greasy and rich foods. This diet can also prevent the adhesion and aggregation of platelets, reduce the decline in white blood cells, and promote blood circulation and dispel stasis.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Wei Wei
Integrative Medicine
59sec home-news-image

Clinical manifestations of liver abscess

Clinical manifestations of liver abscess include irregular, purulent fever, especially noticeable in bacterial liver abscesses. The fever is irregular and typically high, preceded by chills, followed by persistent pain in the liver area, which worsens with deep breaths or movement. Depending on the location of the abscess, it can lead to corresponding respiratory and abdominal symptoms, often with a history of diarrhea. If the abscess ruptures, it can evolve into purulent peritonitis with pyothorax. Special signs include liver enlargement, and in the intercostal space corresponding to the abscess, there's localized edema and clear tenderness. Some patients may exhibit jaundice. If the abscess breaks into the chest cavity, lung abscesses can occur, or if it perforates into the abdominal cavity, peritonitis may develop.