Liver Problems Associated With Alcohol

The liver performs an important function in the body, providing chemicals to help break down fat, sugar and proteins in food. Excessive amounts of alcohol can harm the liver and slow the development and regulation of important chemicals. This can lead to diseases such as fatty liver, hepatitis and cirrhosis.

Fatty Liver

• Fatty liver is a buildup of fat in the liver as the chemical process that breaks down fat is disturbed by alcohol. Fatty liver causes fatigue, weight loss, stomach pain and a feeling of disorientation.

Hepatitis

• Hepatitis is any inflammation in the liver. Some hepatitis cases are caused by a viral infection, and many are contagious. Hepatitis caused by alcohol consumption is not contagious and is usually accompanied by symptoms such as nausea, jaundice and stomach pain.

Cirrhosis

• Cirrhosis is the buildup of scar tissue in the liver. This scar tissue affects the normal functions of the liver and often leads to complete liver failure. Symptoms of cirrhosis develop slowly over time and are similar to hepatitis, but are much more severe and last longer. Extreme nausea, jaundice and cramping are common with cirrhosis.

Complications

• Each condition related to alcohol problems in the liver has its own set of symptoms. There are some serious complications that can arise with alcohol-caused liver problems. These complications include high blood pressure, internal bleeding, collection of fluid in the stomach, high blood pressure, cancer and coma.

Treatment

• The treatment for fatty liver is to get rid of the cause and stop drinking alcohol. Alcoholic hepatitis usually requires hospitalization and the administering of several drugs to counteract the effects of alcohol in the liver. In instances of fatty liver and hepatitis, the liver will heal over time after the problem or infection is eliminated. Cirrhosis, however, causes permanent scarring and cannot be reversed.