Doctors warn people about the potential liver damage from long-term alcohol consumption. Here is brief information on alcohol induced liver diseases.
Alcohol is one of the common causes of several diseases and disorders, specially liver diseases. People are often advised to reduce the intake of alcohol in order to live a healthy and long life. Severe alcoholism occurs when a person consumes large amounts in a short period. Alcohol is also addictive and hence, it is difficult to give up the habit once a person starts having it in excess. There are high chances of suffering from complete liver damage due to alcohol.
Causes
Blood passes through the liver before traveling to other parts of the body. The liver helps in clearing blood of toxic substances. When a person consumes alcohol, it gets directly mixed with the bloodstream and goes to the liver. Here the alcohol can be broken down and excreted from the body through the excretory system. However, when the person consumes excess amounts of alcohol, it obstructs the proper functioning of the liver, resulting in liver diseases. The following are the major disorders caused by alcohol.
Alcoholic Fatty Liver
It is the most common condition caused due to excess alcohol consumption. In this disease, the liver gets inflamed due to excess accumulation of fat in the liver.
Alcoholic Hepatitis
It is a condition marked by liver inflammation caused due to excess consumption of alcohol. It is fairly serious as compared to the fatty liver disease. In severe cases, alcoholic hepatitis can even lead to liver failure.
Liver Cirrhosis
Liver cirrhosis is the most severe condition caused due to prolonged abuse. In this condition, the healthy liver tissues are replaced by scar tissues which can lead to liver failure.
Signs and Symptoms
There are several identifying signs of liver damage which can help in diagnosing this disease.
- Enlarged liver
- Jaundice
- Fever
- Increase in white blood cell count
- Enlarged spleen
- Ascites
- Vomiting blood
- Kidney failure
- Weight loss
- Confusion
Advanced signs and symptoms of alcoholic liver disease include spider-like veins, curling of fingers, coma, internal bleeding, etc.
Treatment
Complete abstinence from alcohol is required to stop the liver from getting damaged further. Alcoholic hepatitis can also be treated with the help of medications if identified in the earlier stages. Liver cirrhosis cannot be reversed. However, if the person stops drinking alcohol after diagnosis of the disease, the disease stops progressing and there are chances of survival. If one continues having alcohol even after he is diagnosed with liver damage, he may have minimal chances of survival.
One should consult the doctor if any of the aforementioned symptoms are observed. Secondly, alcohol consumption is hazardous to health and has severe long-term effects. Therefore, it should be stopped or controlled.
Disclaimer: It is essential to note that this write-up is meant only for information purposes; and should not be used in place of proper medical advice.
