Alcohol & Cirrhosis of the Liver

Alcoholic cirrhosis is the most serious type of alcohol-induced liver disease, and is the leading cause of death among chronic alcoholics. Cirrhosis is the replacement of normal liver tissue with scar tissue. Drinking heavily is the most common cause of cirrhosis of the liver.
  1. The Facts

    • Alcoholic cirrhosis usually occurs after many years of heavy drinking. For some people, it can develop in a shorter period of time. In cirrhosis, the liver slowly deteriorates. As scar tissue replaces healthy tissue, the flow of blood through the liver is partially blocked. A healthy liver is able to regenerate. As cirrhosis progresses, the liver becomes more and more diseased, and it loses the ability to effectively replace damaged cells.

    Liver Function

    • The liver is one of the largest and most complex organs in the body. It processes proteins and enzymes. It helps your body digest fat and break down cholesterol. It removes toxins from the blood. If you drink heavily and develop cirrhosis, your liver becomes unable to carry out these vital functions.

    Alcohol and Liver Disease

    • Drinking moderately usually doesn't cause liver damage. But drinking large quantities over several years almost always causes damage to the liver. The amount needed to damage the liver varies from one individual to the next, but usually consuming three or more drinks a day can cause liver damage.

    Types

    • There are three types of alcohol-induced liver disease. The first is called fatty liver. This is marked by a buildup of fat cells in the liver and is seen in almost all chronic drinkers. As drinking progresses, it causes an inflammation of the liver called alcoholic hepatitis. If you develop alcoholic hepatitis, you may experience nausea, vomiting, jaundice, loss of appetite and abdominal pain. At this stage, liver damage is reversible if you stop drinking. Continued heavy drinking may lead to cirrhosis or a buildup of scar tissue. The damage to the liver from cirrhosis is not reversible. Although alcoholic cirrhosis is often chronic and fatal, it can stabilize if you abstain from alcohol.

    Prevention/Solution

    • If you have cirrhosis of the liver, it is urgent that you quit drinking. Your doctor may recommend that you follow a special diet or add vitamin supplements to help your damaged liver. In advanced cases of cirrhosis of the liver, the only treatment may be a transplant. You will not qualify for a transplant if you are actively abusing alcohol. Your doctor may recommend that you participate in an alcoholism recovery program.

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