Liver Problems..what to look for

[mom25kids0110]

My husband is 49 years old, he is a heavy drinker.  He drinks at least 80 ounces of beer and and a pint of whiskey every night (sometimes more).  I have noticed that the whites of his eyes are yellowish in color, he has been sleeping a lot, swollen ankles....just the few things that he has told me or I have noticed.  He also has HBP that he is NOT taking medication for.  The last time he went to the docs was about 7 years ago, and his numbers were high then, they told him to stop all alcohol and come back in 30 days for a recheck on his blood work.  He never went back.  Do I need to be concerned and force him to go to the docs.  Are these symptoms of liver problems.

[Thomas D Schiano, MD]

i agree with the above.  Once a person has symptomatic liver disease and they continue to drink, the liver may develop irreversible damage.

[Bob368]

Yes he needs to see a doctor. What you discribe is jaundice. My brother has been in the hospital for 17 days now with jaundice, abdomen pain and swelling of the abdomen,(Ascites). I'm not trying to scare you, my brother waited way too long before he went to see a doctor. It seems like you've caught this early so your husband can see a doctor get test done, get professional advise and I would do this sooner than later.

God Bless