The belief that everyone who drinks to excess will develop an alcoholic liver is actually a fallacy. While alcohol can cause serious damage to the liver, very few drinkers develop the disease. Also called cirrhosis, it can be a fatal condition if it’s not diagnosed in time. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at how alcoholic liver disease can develop and the possible treatment options.

As the name indicates, an alcoholic liver occurs when the organ is damaged and its functions are diminished due to alcohol abuse. Alcoholic liver disease usually occurs after years of excessive drinking. Almost all ingested alcohol is metabolized in the liver and excessive alcohol use can lead to acute and chronic liver disease. Liver cirrhosis resulting from alcohol abuse is one of the ten leading causes of death in the United States. From data obtained in autopsy studies, it appears that between 10% and 15% of alcoholics had cirrhosis at the time of death.

The symptoms of liver disease due to alcohol can vary according to the individual. Changes start in the liver as inflammation (hepatitis) and lead to fatty liver and cirrhosis. Cirrhosis is the final phase of alcoholic liver disease.

Symptoms may not be present until the disease is advanced, and may include abdominal pain and tenderness, dry mouth and excessive thirst, fatigue, fever, jaundice, loss of appetite, mental confusion and nausea. Some patients also exhibit abnormally dark or light skin, dark bowel movements, breast development in males, redness on feet or hands and lethargic movement. Symptoms vary based on the severity of the disease and usually worsens after a period of heavy drinking.

Early recognition is important since an alcoholic fatty liver responds to alcohol withdrawal and a nutritious diet. Patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis should be admitted to hospital and complications of liver failure treated appropriately. These patients usually have significant metabolic abnormalities that have to be corrected. Hyperglycemia is a common manifestation of chronic liver disease because of insulin resistance.

Cirrhosis is an irreversible process, and therapy is directed at the complications of liver failure and portal hypertension. An organ transplant is a treatment option for patients with end-stage alcoholic cirrhosis. However, liver transplantation is a reasonable option in patients with alcoholic liver disease providing there is prolonged abstinence (at least six months), good social supports and no evidence of severe damage to other organs due to alcoholism.

Alcoholism is as much a disease as an alcoholic liver is and requires treatment. The first step in alcohol control is to make a change in lifestyle. Studies have shown that giving up drinking and eating a healthy, nutritious diet can greatly improve an alcoholic’s health. Patients should speak to their doctor about a dietary change in tandem with medical treatment. With resolve and the support of friends and family, giving up alcohol can be done.

Things to keep in mind:

• Alcoholism is as much a disease as an alcoholic liver is and requires treatment.
• The symptoms of liver disease due to alcohol can vary according to the individual.
• Alcoholic liver disease usually occurs after years of excessive drinking.