Alcoholism and Liver Damage
The Effects of Alcoholism on the Liver
Alcoholism is a chronic, progressive, and potentially fatal disease. It is characterized by a strong craving for alcohol and an inability to abstain from drinking. Long-term alcohol abuse can cause significant damage to the liver, leading to a variety of health problems and, in some cases, death.
Alcoholism is a major cause of liver disease, resulting in fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, fibrosis, and cirrhosis. The extent of damage to the liver is determined by the amount and duration of alcohol consumption. The longer alcohol is abused, the more severe the liver damage is likely to be.
Fatty Liver
Fatty liver, also known as steatosis, is the accumulation of excess fat in the liver. It is the earliest, most reversible stage of alcoholic liver disease, and is caused by excessive alcohol consumption over a period of weeks or months. Symptoms of fatty liver can include fatigue, abdominal pain, nausea, and jaundice. With abstinence from alcohol, fatty liver can usually be reversed.
Alcoholic Hepatitis
Alcoholic hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver caused by excessive alcohol consumption. It is marked by a rapid increase in liver enzymes and a corresponding increase in liver damage. Symptoms of alcoholic hepatitis can include fever, abdominal pain, jaundice, and nausea. With abstinence from alcohol, the symptoms of alcoholic hepatitis can usually be reversed.
Fibrosis
Fibrosis is the scarring of the liver caused by excessive alcohol consumption. The scarring of the liver reduces the liver's ability to function and can lead to cirrhosis. Symptoms of fibrosis can include fatigue, abdominal pain, nausea, and jaundice. With abstinence from alcohol, the symptoms of fibrosis can usually be reversed.
Cirrhosis
Cirrhosis is the most serious form of alcoholic liver disease. It is characterized by a severe scarring of the liver, which impairs its ability to function. Symptoms of cirrhosis can include fatigue, abdominal pain, jaundice, and nausea. Unfortunately, cirrhosis is irreversible and can be fatal if left untreated.
How Long Can a Liver Survive Alcoholism?
The length of time that a liver can survive alcoholism depends on the severity of the damage to the liver. If the damage is mild, abstinence from alcohol can often reverse the damage. In more severe cases, however, the damage may be irreversible and can lead to cirrhosis and death. In these cases, the only way to protect the liver from further damage is to stop drinking alcohol altogether.