Liver Fibrosis & Alcohol

Both formation and breakdown of scar tissue are normal parts of liver function. However, when the balance between the two is thrown off and scar tissue accumulates, fibrosis results. Early stages of fibrosis may not cause any symptoms and indeed may not impair liver function. However, as the disease progresses, areas of scar tissue may begin to connect and tangle, leading to either portal hypertension or to cirrhosis of the liver. In both of these conditions, liver function is significantly impaired. The consumption of alcohol can be a factor in liver fibrosis.

Causes

• The cause of fibrosis is chronic injury to the liver. Merck Manuals list causes of liver injury as: bacterial or viral infection such as hepatitis, heart failure and other disorders affecting blood flow in the liver, certain metabolic disorders such as Wilson's disease, exposure to environmental toxins such as arsenic, accumulation of some pharmaceuticals and damage due to chronic alcohol consumption. While any alcohol consumption causes small amounts of liver damage, this is generally repairable as a part of normal liver functioning. It is only when drinking heavily and chronically for years that fibrosis begins to appear.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

• Liver fibrosis on its own does not cause any symptoms, and so is difficult to discover in early stages unless a patient is being monitored for liver abnormalities. Individuals with known metabolic or liver disease are more likely to have liver enzyme tests done routinely, as are patients taking prescription medications known to have effects on the liver. Symptoms such as internal bleeding, jaundice and fluid retention can indicate later stage fibrosis or cirrhosis, according to Merck Manuals. Currently, the only method for diagnosis of fibrosis is liver biopsy, in which a sample of the liver is removed and examined.

Treatment

• Treatment is aimed at the underlying cause of fibrosis. In the case of infections, treatment with antibiotic or antiviral medication may be appropriate. Removal of heavy metals from the liver for disorders in which they build up, such as Wilson's disease can also have positive effects. To treat alcoholic liver disease, abstaining from alcohol is prescribed.

Alcoholism

• Alcoholism is a disease associated with a range of psychological, medical and social problems, affecting an estimated 13 percent of American adults. Medicine Net defines alcoholism as the dependence on alcohol to the degree in which stopping its consumption will result in withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms can include sweating, rapid pulse, agitation, hallucinations, tremors and seizures. These symptoms can be life-threatening, therefore those wishing to stop drinking should do so under the care of a health care professional.

Alcohol-Related Illness

• In addition to liver fibrosis, alcohol consumed in excessive amounts can cause an assortment of other health problems. Patient U.K. lists depression, anxiety, dementia, cardiovascular disease, stroke, neuropathy, oral and liver cancers, loss of libido, pancreatitis and cirrhosis of the liver as illnesses associated with chronic alcohol abuse. Women who abuse alcohol during pregnancy put the fetus at risk of developing Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.