Liver Damage Caused by Alcohol

People with liver problems or those who are on certain medications should avoid alcohol consumption even if alcohol is not the cause of their liver issues. Most people, however, can consume one alcoholic beverage every day without fear of causing damage to their liver. Because of the role the liver plays in processing the alcohol, heavy drinkers risk causing themselves potentially extensive liver damage. Women are more likely to experience liver problems related to alcohol consumption because it takes less alcohol to affect their bodies.

Types of Liver Problems

• Heavy drinking can cause a person to develop fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis and alcoholic cirrhosis. Some people with alcohol problems will have all three of these issues.

Alcoholic Hepatitis

• As many as 35 percent of people who drink heavily experience alcoholic hepatitis, or liver inflammation caused by alcohol consumption. This condition can cause abdominal pain, fever and jaundice, and is not always reversible.

Related Problems

• Liver diseases brought on by alcoholism can ultimately lead to esophageal bleeding, spleen enlargement, kidney failure, liver cancer and coma.

Cirrhosis by the Numbers

• The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse reports that cirrhosis is responsible for 27,000 deaths a year.

Cirrhosis Symptoms

• Symptoms of cirrhosis of the liver include fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, weakness, vomiting, weight loss, itching and painful abdominal bloating.

Treatment

• Treatment of alcohol-related liver diseases cannot begin until the patient stops drinking. Medications may be used to treat liver problems along with special diets containing many of the nutrients and minerals the liver needs. A liver transplant may be necessary if the situation is severe, however, patients who are still struggling with alcoholism are not likely to be approved as donated organ recipients.