If you, or someone you care about abuses alcohol then it is only natural to worry about the serious effects of alcohol on the liver, like alcoholic liver disease. The liver is the largest organ in the body (unless you call the skin an organ). It also endures the heaviest degree of tissue damage by excessive drinking because it is the key site of ethanol metabolism.
It also carries out many functions, without which the human body could not survive.
When we talk about alcohol and liver damage, we mean alcohol is hampering or preventing it from carrying out the important functions listed below.
Some of the liver's functions include:
Alcoholic liver disease is the outcome of drinking more alcohol than one’s liver could process, which eventually impairs the organ. The liver, in charge for performing many bodily functions, processes what the body needs and discards what it does not. As the liver processes the alcohol in the body, the chemical reaction then releases a toxin, which impairs liver cells.
If excessive alcohol is consumed regularly over time, even without getting intoxicated, liver damage starts. When severe liver damage happens, it affects the whole body. Alcoholic liver disease can be life-threatening, but it is preventable.
More often than not, the first stage of alcoholic liver disease involves fatty liver. Also known as alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Often symptom-less, alcoholic fatty liver disease largely refers to the enlargement of the liver, and is generally painless.
This is also the most reversible stage of alcoholic liver disease. In other words, if you reach this stage and then stop drinking, it is more than likely that your liver will recover.
Progression from the alcoholic fatty liver disease can lead to the very painful, cirrhosis of the liver.
This is a more advanced form of liver disease that results in the liver becoming scarred, hardened and shrinking due to excessive alcohol consumption.
Another form of progression from fatty liver is alcoholic hepatitis, which is an inflammation of and, ultimately, death of liver organ tissue. Alcoholic hepatitis tends to occur in people who drink excessively over a prolonged period.
Alcoholic liver cirrhosis and alcoholic hepatitis are not mutually exclusive, and both conditions may occur at the same time in the same person.
As stated above, alcoholic fatty liver disease is generally symptom-less and less serious than more advance alcohol liver damage.
However, There may be little to no symptoms of advanced liver disease in some unfortunate cases, which may severely delay diagnosis of the conditions until it is too late.
Alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver and/or alcoholic hepatitis will render the liver unable to...
Alcoholic liver disease or ALD happens after years of excessive drinking. Over time, cirrhosis of the liver can happen. Cirrhosis is the last phase of alcoholic liver disease.
ALD, however, does not happen to all heavy drinkers. The odds of getting alcoholic liver disease increase the longer you’ve been drinking and more alcohol you drink.
This disease is common in individuals between 40 to 50 years of age. Men are more likely to have this issue. Nonetheless, women may likewise develop alcoholic liver disease even with less exposure to alcohol than guys. Some individuals may have an innate risk for ALD.
Symptoms may include:
It doesn't make for pretty reading, and treatment for advanced alcoholic liver disease is somewhat limited. However, in all cases of alcohol induced liver damage, it is essential that the sufferer quits drinking IMMEDIATELY.
For more on this topic and alcoholic liver disease treatment, read alcoholic cirrhosis and alcoholic hepatitis.
It’s Never Too Late to Stop Alcoholism
Alcoholism is a terrible disease which can destroy your liver and other organs. If you or someone close to you has chronic liver problems, it's important that they get help immediately before things worsen. The first step towards ending alcoholism begins with calling up for treatment today! Reach out to a treatment provider.
|
Lead Writer/Reviewer : Kayla Loibl
Licensed Medical Health Professional
Hello!
I am a Mental Health Counselor who is licensed in both New York (LMHC) and North Carolina (LCMHC). I have been working in the Mental Health field since 2015. I have worked in a residential setting, an outpatient program and an inpatient addictions program. I began working in Long Island, NY and then in Guelph, Ontario after moving to Canada. Read More
Sources:
NCBI. Alcoholic Liver Disease: Pathogenesis and Current Management. 2017. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5513682/
Mayo Clinic. Alcoholic hepatitis. October 27, 2020. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alcoholic-hepatitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20351388
Mt. Sinai. Alcoholic liver disease. https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/diseases-conditions/alcoholic-liver-disease
Michigan Medicine. Alcoholic Liver Disease. https://www.uofmhealth.org/conditions-treatments/digestive-and-liver-health/alcoholic-liver-disease
Return from Alcoholic Liver Disease to Alcohol Abuse Effects
Return from Alcoholic Liver Disease to Alcoholism Help Homepage
Alcoholism Help Homepage | What is Alcoholism | Signs of Alcoholism | Alcoholism Tests | Alcohol Abuse Effects | Living with an Addict | Alcoholism Recovery | The AA Way| Alcoholism Cure| Alcoholism Medication | My Story | Alcoholism Guide Blog | Contact Us | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
May 02, 22 07:26 PM
May 02, 22 07:17 PM
Aug 16, 21 01:58 AM
New! Comments
Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below.