What does alcohol do to the liver?

Alcohol can have several effects on the liver, ranging from mild changes to severe and irreversible damage. Here are some of the effects of alcohol on the liver:

1. Fatty Liver: This is the earliest stage of alcohol-related liver disease. Excessive alcohol consumption causes the liver to accumulate fat, leading to a condition called fatty liver or hepatic steatosis. If alcohol use continues, fatty liver can progress to more severe conditions.

2. Alcoholic Hepatitis: Chronic and heavy alcohol consumption can cause inflammation of the liver, leading to alcoholic hepatitis. This condition is characterized by liver cell damage, inflammation, and the infiltration of immune cells into the liver. Alcoholic hepatitis can cause symptoms such as jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), fatigue, abdominal pain, and fever.

3. Fibrosis: As alcoholic hepatitis persists, scar tissue may develop in the liver, a condition known as fibrosis. Fibrosis occurs when the liver tries to repair itself from the damage caused by alcohol. The scar tissue can disrupt the normal architecture of the liver and impair its function.

4. Cirrhosis: Cirrhosis is an advanced stage of liver scarring caused by chronic alcohol abuse. It is characterized by extensive fibrosis, scarring, and the formation of abnormal nodules in the liver. Cirrhosis can lead to liver failure, portal hypertension (increased pressure in the veins that supply blood to the liver), and other complications.

5. Liver Failure: Liver failure is the most severe consequence of alcohol-related liver disease. It occurs when the liver is unable to perform its essential functions, such as filtering toxins from the blood, producing bile, and synthesizing proteins. Liver failure is a life-threatening condition and often requires a liver transplant.

Alcohol-related liver damage is generally reversible in the early stages, but once extensive scarring and cirrhosis occur, the damage is often irreversible. Abstinence from alcohol is the most effective way to prevent and manage alcohol-related liver disease.