LIVER DAMAGES DUE TO ALCOHOLISM

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LIVER DAMAGES DUE TO ALCOHOLISM

The liver can develop new cells, but prolonged alcohol misuse (drinking too much) over many years can reduce its ability to regenerate. This can result in serious and permanent damage to your liver.

Alcohol changes the chemicals that break down and remove scar tissue. This means that scar tissue builds up in the liver. Scar tissue replaces normal healthy cells. This means that the liver can't work properly and can fail, leading to death.

Some alcohol-related liver damage can be reversed if you stop drinking alcohol early enough in the disease process. Healing can begin as early as a few days to weeks after you stop drinking, but if the damage is severe, healing can take several months.

Each individual is entirely different. Complication can develop after 5 to 10 years, though it more commonly it takes 20 to 30 years. Many individuals appear to never develop end stage liver disease from alcohol. This is impossible to predict ahead of time.

Overview:

Alcohol-related liver disease (ARLD) is caused by damage to the liver from years of excessive drinking. Years of alcohol abuse can cause the liver to become inflamed and swollen. This damage can also cause scarring known as cirrhosis. Cirrhosis is the final stage of liver disease.

ARLD is a major public health problem. About 8 to 10 percent of Americans drink heavily. Of those, 10 to 15 percent will go on to develop ARLD. Heavy drinking is classified as more than eight alcoholic beverages per week for women and more than 15 for men.

Alcohol-related liver disease (ARLD) refers to liver damage caused by excess alcohol intake. There are several stages of severity and a range of associated symptoms. ARLD doesn't usually cause any symptoms until the liver has been severely damaged.

Liver disease is just one of the consequences of excessive alcohol consumption. This is especially serious because liver failure can be fatal. Learn how you can prevent and treat this serious condition.