Alcoholic liver disease

Alcohol abuse can seriously hurt the liver. A recent study published in JAMA found that alcohol-related liver disease in on the rise among adults, and may be due to binge drinking.

There are three types of liver disease due to heavy drinking:  

Symptoms

Patients who have alcoholic liver disease may have no symptoms or symptoms may come on slowly depending on how well the liver is working. Symptoms are often worse after a period of heavy drinking. Early symptoms may include fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea and abdominal pain. As the liver disease progresses and becomes more serious, patients may develop fluid build-up in their legs, yellow color in the skin, easy bruising and confusion. This may mean the disease has resulted in cirrhosis.

Treatments

The Liver Center at Tufts Medical Center offers a wide range of diagnostic and treatment options for patients with alcoholic liver disease. Depending on the severity of your liver disease, we coordinate with nutritionists, social workers and addiction counselors in a multidisciplinary setting to provide personalized care and improve your liver condition. The best treatment for alcoholic liver disease is to avoid alcohol. Other treatments may include nutritional support and steroid therapy.

Resources:

There are free support services in the Boston area for those struggling with addiction including:

  • MASS. SUBSTANCE USE HELPLINE 
    1-800-327-5050: M-F 8a-10p; S/S 8a-6p 
    Free, confidential referrals to treatment and recovery resources. 

  • BOSTON PUBLIC HEALTH COMMISSION PAATHS PROGRAM  
    Free Resource & Referral Center 
    774 Albany Street, Boston 
    855-494-4054 or 617-534-5554 
    Walk-in center: M-F 7:30am-7pm (closed Weds 1:30pm-3:30pm), Sat/Sun 8am-4pm. No walk-ins 1 hour prior to closing. Triage & level of care assessment, referrals to detox, substance use treatment services, outpatient counseling, risk reduction & overdose prevention. 

  • ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS

  • SMART Recovery

Programs + Services

Hepatology

Tufts Center for Liver Disease specializes in treating liver disease, such as cirrhosis, fatty liver, viral hepatitis, primary biliary cirrhosis and primary sclerosing cholangitis.
More information about programs and services

Doctors + Care Team

Raffi Karagozian, MD
Request Appointment for Raffi Karagozian, MD

Raffi Karagozian, MD

Loading ...

Accepting New Patients

Virtual Appointments Available

Online Scheduling Available

Title(s): Hepatologist; Program Director, Gastroenterology Fellowship Program; Assistant Professor, Tufts University School of Medicine
Department(s): Medicine, Gastroenterology
Appt. Phone: 617-636-5883
Fax #: 617-636-4505

Abnormal liver tests, cirrhosis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, Hepatitis B/C, liver transplant, primary biliary cholangitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, benign liver lesions, liver cancer, hemochromatosis, and drug induced liver injury.

View Full Profile for Raffi Karagozian, MD

Research + Clinical Trials

A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-controlled, Phase 2b Study to Evaluate Safety and Efficacy of DUR-928 in Subjects with Alcoholic Hepatitis

This study is being conducted in patients who are hospitalized due to liver damage from alcohol abuse (Alcoholic Hepatitis AH). The purpose of this study is to see if the study drug, DUR-928 given in inpatient seeting is safe and effective in this group of patients. 
More information about research and clinical trials