Alcohol-related liver disease (ARLD) is a serious health problem that is becoming more common around the world.
It can be life-threatening if it isn’t treated, but recognizing the early signs and understanding how the disease develops can help people get medical care sooner and possibly save lives.
When you drink alcohol, your liver works hard to break it down. In the process, harmful substances are created that can damage liver cells. If you drink heavily over time, these toxins can cause inflammation and fat buildup in the liver. If the damage keeps going, it can lead to scarring, and eventually, liver failure.
ARLD doesn’t happen overnight. It usually develops gradually, often in three stages:
The first stage is Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (AFLD). This happens when fat builds up in liver cells due to drinking alcohol, even if you only drink a little bit. At this stage, most people don’t feel any symptoms, but the liver is already under stress. The good news is that if you stop drinking early enough, this stage is often reversible.
The next stage is Alcoholic Hepatitis. If you continue drinking, the liver becomes inflamed, which is known as alcoholic hepatitis. This stage can vary from mild to severe.
Symptoms may include yellowing of the skin or eyes (known as jaundice), stomach pain (especially in the upper right side), nausea, vomiting, and feeling weak. In severe cases, alcoholic hepatitis can be life-threatening.
The most advanced stage is Cirrhosis, which happens when the liver becomes so scarred that it can’t function properly. Once the liver reaches this point, the damage is often permanent, and a liver transplant may be necessary if the damage becomes too severe.
It’s important to recognize the symptoms early. Some signs to watch for include:
Tiredness or weakness: Feeling unusually drained even after rest could mean the liver is under stress.
Jaundice: Yellow skin or eyes can be a sign that the liver isn’t working well to remove waste from the body.
Abdominal swelling or pain: The liver may become enlarged, or fluid may build up, causing discomfort.
Loss of appetite or nausea: These symptoms can appear when the liver can’t remove toxins properly.
Mental confusion: When the liver can’t filter toxins, it can affect brain function.
Red palms and spider veins: Reddened palms or small, web-like veins on the skin are visible signs of liver problems.
These symptoms can appear gradually or suddenly, depending on how much damage has been done to the liver.
The most effective way to prevent ARLD is simple: reduce or stop drinking alcohol. Even if the disease has progressed to more advanced stages, quitting alcohol can help slow down or stop further damage. In some cases, people with alcoholic hepatitis or early cirrhosis have seen improvements in liver health after stopping drinking.
Regular medical check-ups are essential, especially for people who drink heavily or have other health conditions. Doctors can run tests to monitor liver function and catch any problems early.
If you or someone you know shows signs of liver disease and has a history of heavy drinking, don’t wait. Early diagnosis and treatment can make a huge difference. Doctors can provide support, guidance, and treatment options, including help with quitting alcohol.
ARLD is serious, but it is also preventable and, in many cases, treatable. Recognizing the symptoms early and taking action can protect your health and improve your quality of life. Making healthier choices today can lead to a better, longer tomorrow.
If you care about liver health, please read studies about simple habit that could give you a healthy liver, and common diabetes drug that may reverse liver inflammation.
For more information about health, please see recent studies about simple blood test that could detect your risk of fatty liver disease, and results showing this green diet may strongly lower non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
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