Alcohol Related Liver Diseases

Alcohol consumed in moderation usually does not cause problems for most individuals. However, excess consumption of alcohol can lead to a number of physical, emotional and social problems. One of the major physical problems associated with alcoholism is liver damage. There are three main diseases that can stem from the abuse of alcohol: alcoholic hepatitis, cirrhosis and fatty liver.

Alcoholic Hepatitis

• Alcoholic hepatitis is a condition associated with swelling of the liver. This swelling leads to cell damage in the liver. If a person with the disease continues to drink alcohol, the hepatitis may become more severe, possibly resulting in the failure of liver function and death. If an individual stops drinking, the liver may get better over time.

Alcoholic Cirrhosis

• Cirrhosis of the liver is when the liver is impaired by an accumulation of scar tissue. This most common reason this tissue forms is alcohol-induced damage. This is the most serious form of alcohol-related liver disease and can lead to many other problems affecting the digestive system, kidneys and nervous system. Alcoholic cirrhosis can lead to liver cancer and death.

Fatty Liver

• Fatty liver is a condition in which too much fatty tissue begins to collect in the liver. This can cause stomach pain and discomfort, although sometimes there are no symptoms at all. Fatty liver is the most common liver disorder experienced by alcoholics.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of alcohol-related disorders of the liver include jaundice (when the skin and eyes appear yellow), abdominal discomfort, nausea, vomiting, a high white blood cell count, fever, enlarged liver and spleen, disorientation, fatigue, excessive thirst, abnormal kidney functioning and spidery-looking veins below the skin. If you experience some of these symptoms---especially if you consume more than one to two alcoholic beverages per day---you should see your doctor immediately. Your doctor may choose to perform physical exams, blood tests and possibly even a liver biopsy to determine whether your symptoms are caused by a liver disease.

Treatment

• The first course of treatment for alcohol-related liver diseases is to completely stop drinking alcohol. If you have fatty liver or alcoholic hepatitis, your liver has a good chance of repairing itself over time if you abstain from alcohol. In the case of cirrhosis, once scar tissue has formed, it cannot be reversed. You can, however, prevent further liver damage from developing. In instances of extreme liver damage, a liver transplant may be required in order for an individual to live.