Alcoholic Liver Disease: Understanding the Basics

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) occurs when excessive alcohol consumption causes damage to the liver. In the early stages, ALD often does not produce noticeable symptoms, which means many people may not realize their liver is being harmed until serious damage has occurred.

When the liver becomes significantly damaged, the following symptoms may appear:
- Feeling nauseous or bloated
- Unexplained weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Yellowing of the eyes, skin, and urine (jaundice)
- Swelling in the ankles
- Fatigue or drowsiness
- Vomiting or passing blood in the stool

If you experience these symptoms, it's important to seek medical attention and provide your doctor with a detailed history of your alcohol consumption, including the type, strength, and amount consumed daily.

The liver is one of the most complex organs in the body, responsible for a wide range of vital functions such as:
- Filtering toxins from the blood
- Aiding in the digestion of food
- Regulating blood sugar and cholesterol levels
- Supporting the immune system to fight infections

One of the liver's most remarkable features is its ability to regenerate. However, each time it processes alcohol, some liver cells die. While the liver can replace these cells, chronic alcohol abuse weakens its regenerative capacity, leading to irreversible damage over time.

Complications of alcoholic liver disease include:
- Rupture of esophageal or gastric varices (enlarged veins in the esophagus or stomach that can bleed)
- Hepatic encephalopathy (brain dysfunction due to liver failure)
- Ascites combined with kidney failure
- Increased risk of liver cancer
- Weakened immunity, making infections more likely

Managing alcoholic liver disease primarily involves complete and lifelong abstinence from alcohol. Stopping drinking can halt further damage and give the liver the best chance to heal. For those struggling with alcohol addiction, professional support and treatment programs can provide essential help.

In cases of advanced cirrhosis and life-threatening complications, liver transplantation may be the only option. However, patients must remain alcohol-free both before and after the transplant to ensure the best possible outcome.