What is the definition or description of: alcoholic hepatitis?

Liver inflammation: Alcoholic hepatitis is hepatitis (inflammation of the liver) due to excessive intake of alcohol. It is usually found in association with hepatosteatosis, an early stage of alcoholic liver disease, and may contribute to the progression of fibrosis, leading to cirrhosis . Symptoms are jaundice, ascites (fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity), fatigue and hepatic encephalopathy (brain dysfunctio.

Liver inflammation: In people who have an apparent genetic or other predisposition, repeated heavy use of alcohol initially causes fat to accumulate in liver cells, which ultimately causes inflammation, which is alcoholic hepatitis. Under microscope there are inflammatory cells and signs of the body's reaction. With repeated injury, scarring begins to occur, and when severe and widespread results in cirrhosis.