Understanding Alcoholic Liver Disease and Cirrhosis
Because the metabolism and breakdown of alcohol occurs almost entirely within the liver, the long term effects of alcoholism on the liver can be severe and potentially fatal. Alcoholic liver disease occurs as a progression of three stages from fatty liver, to alcoholic hepatitis to cirrhosis, and cirrhosis is the 12 largest killer in the United States.
The risks of alcoholic liver disease are increased with every additional month and year of alcohol abuse or alcoholism. Thankfully, although the damage can eventually become severe and irreversible, the liver is remarkably resilient and most people with some alcoholic liver disease make a full liver function recovery with a prolonged period of alcohol abstinence. Other lifestyle factors such as obesity and smoking can also influence liver functioning and for best health, alcoholic patients need to better all negative lifestyle habits.
Fatty Liver (Steatosis) the First Stage of Alcoholic Liver Disease
As little as a few consecutive days of heavy drinking can induce a small amount of fatty liver. Just like it sounds, fatty liver is a condition that occurs as a result of an excess of fat deposits and fat storage in the cells of the liver.
Fatty liver is not often serious but is a warning flag towards further liver problems and a progression to further stages of alcoholic liver disease. Fatty liver is entirely reversible if the patient commits to abstinence and better lifestyle choices, but with continuing abuse, fatty liver often progresses to the much more serious condition, alcoholic hepatitis.
Alcoholic Hepatitis, the Second Stage of Alcoholic Liver Disease
While fatty liver is entirely reversible with lifestyle modification, alcoholic hepatitis is a far more serious condition, and may or may not be reversible with abstinence from alcohol. Alcoholic hepatitis is literally an inflammation of the liver, and also a lessening in liver functioning. Some of the signs and symptoms of alcoholic hepatitis are vomiting, nausea, jaundice, lack of appetite, abdominal pain and even mental confusion.
Alcoholic hepatitis can occasionally be fatal on its own, and 70% of patients with alcoholic hepatitis will progress to developing cirrhosis of the liver. Patients who commit to abstinence after succumbing to alcoholic hepatitis may still develop cirrhosis.
Cirrhosis the Last Stage of Alcoholic Liver Disease
Cirrhosis of the liver means that liver tissue has been replaced with scar tissue, compromising the ability of the liver to function. Cirrhosis is often a fatal condition.
Recovery rates from cirrhosis vary with age, and while younger cirrhotic patients recover well, middle aged and older cirrhotic patients often do not. Cirrhosis is the fourth leading cause of death amongst men aged 45 – 54.
Severe cirrhosis will generally require liver transplant as the only effective treatment.
Alcoholic Liver Disease Treatment
The most important step towards better liver health and function, and a reversal of induced damage, is abstinence and better lifestyle choices (reduced obesity, smoking cessation).
Nutritional therapy can offset some of the declines of liver disease, particularly as alcoholic malnutrition can contribute to liver damage. The selected use of anabolic and cortical steroids may also offer some assistance.
Liver transplant can be a very effective treatment for cirrhotic patients, but there is some controversy over the eligibility of alcoholic patients for available livers for transplant.
Prevention and Reversal
Thankfully, the vast majority of alcoholics who do succeed in achieving sobriety completely reverse any damage inflicted on the liver. The best way to achieve better health and liver function is through immediate cessation of alcohol use, and better health through good nutrition and lifestyle choices.
Alcoholics worried about liver disease, or experiencing some symptoms indicative of liver disease, need immediate medical assistance, and immediate alcohol treatment interventions.
