Alcohol-related liver disease, or ARLD, is a serious illness that happens when a person drinks too much alcohol for a long time.
The liver is an important organ in the body. It removes harmful substances, breaks down food, and makes proteins the body needs. But if the liver has to deal with too much alcohol over time, it can become damaged.
The good news is that the liver can heal itself. But if someone keeps drinking heavily, the liver may not be able to recover. This can lead to three stages of damage: fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, and cirrhosis.
Fatty liver is the first stage. It happens when fat builds up in the liver cells. Most heavy drinkers develop this condition, but many don’t know it because it usually has no clear symptoms. The good news is that if a person stops drinking, the liver can go back to normal.
If drinking continues, the damage can get worse and turn into alcoholic hepatitis. This is when the liver becomes swollen and the cells get hurt. If the damage keeps going, it can reach the final stage: cirrhosis. Cirrhosis means the liver is scarred and can’t work properly. This stage is very serious and often cannot be reversed.
One of the problems with ARLD is that many warning signs show up only after the liver has been badly damaged. At first, people might just feel tired, sick, or not hungry. These signs are easy to ignore or confuse with other problems.
As the disease gets worse, more serious symptoms appear. The skin and eyes may turn yellow—this is called jaundice and is a sign that the liver is under stress. People may also have swelling in their legs or stomach, and their urine might look dark.
Losing weight without trying is another warning sign. When the liver is damaged, it can’t process food and nutrients the right way, so the body doesn’t get what it needs. Some people may also feel confused or have trouble thinking clearly. This is because the liver can’t filter out toxins, and those toxins can reach the brain.
The skin can also give clues. Some people get red palms or small, spider-like veins on their skin. These are caused by changes in blood flow and hormones due to liver damage. People with ARLD may also bruise or bleed easily because their liver isn’t making enough proteins to help blood clot.
Doctors say it’s important to get help if someone shows these symptoms—especially if they drink a lot of alcohol. Blood tests, scans, or even a small tissue sample from the liver can show how much damage has been done.
Studies show that making changes early can help. Quitting alcohol and eating a healthy diet can stop the liver from getting worse, and in some cases, help it heal. Medicines may also help control symptoms, but the best step is to stop drinking alcohol.
ARLD doesn’t happen all at once. It builds up over time. That’s why knowing the signs is so important. If you or someone you know feels tired all the time, is losing weight, or shows signs like yellow skin or swelling, don’t wait. See a doctor as soon as possible.
Public health experts are working to teach more people about ARLD and the risks of heavy drinking. Taking care of your liver now can protect your health in the future.
If you care about alcoholism, please read studies that your age may decide whether alcohol is good or bad for you, and people over 40 need to prevent dangerous alcohol/drug interactions.
For more information about alcohol, please see recent studies about moderate alcohol drinking linked to high blood pressure, and results showing this drug combo shows promise for treating alcoholism.
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