ALCOHOLIC LIVER DISEASE INFO

Alcoholic liver disease is the main cause of cirrhosis of the liver, which can end in death. Moreover, liver cancer can be the result of cirrhosis and in the year 2000 cirrhosis was the leading killer in the United States. This section covers the definition of the liver, symptoms, and its progressiveness. If you or someone close to you has a drinking problem, then have them read this section on liver disease.

Definition Of The Liver

The liver has a pyramid shape and is divided into two lobes. The liver also receives blood from two important and unique sources: the hepatic artery delivers oxygen rich blood directly from the heart and the portal vein carries nutrient rich blood from the intestines. Alcoholic liver disease can manipulate the physical form and functions of the liver.

Symptoms Of Liver Disease

The symptoms seem to act in direct correlation with the severity and progression of liver disease. You may know someone who didn’t show any signs of symptoms until the disease developed into its advanced stages. Here are a few of the symptoms of liver disease:

-Weight gain due to ascites ( excess fluid between the membranes lining the abdomen and abdominal organs )

-Fatigue

-Jaundice

-Abdominal pain and tenderness

-Confusion

-Nausea

-Dry Mouth/ excessive thirst

-Fever

-Agitation

-Hallucination

-Vomiting blood

-Slow, sluggish, lethargic movement

-Fluctuating mood

Is Alcoholic Liver Disease Progressive?

Fatty Growth

Liver disease first appears as a fatty change in the liver. Steatosis or fatty liver disease can be seen under a microscope as a fatty globules. These fatty globules can be caused by diabetes, obesity, and starvation and of course alcoholism.

Alcoholic Hepatitis

Not everyone suffers from alcoholic hepatitis, which is an inflammatory reaction to the fatty change in liver cells. This inflammatory response may possibly lay the groundwork for the development of fibrosis. Alcoholic hepatitis is the second stage of alcoholic liver disease.

Liver Fibrosis

Liver fibrosis can eventually lead to cirrhosis. Fibrosis is scar tissue and can alter liver functioning to a point of serious of impairment.

Cirrhosis

Cirrhosis is the end stage of alcoholic liver disease. At this stage the liver tissue is replaced with regenerative nodules, fibrotic scar tissue, non-reversible damage to the liver. Cirrhosis is when the liver is so damaged that it might not function properly. If the cirrhosis is in its latter stages then a liver transplant is the only option. Here are a few symptoms of cirrhosis:

-Sweet smelling breath

-Dark urine

-Jaundice ( yellowing of skin, eye, and mucus membranes )

-An increase in male breast tissue

-Impotence

-Infertility

-Changes to nails and palms

-Change in liver size

Alcoholic liver disease is a progressive health disorder that can end cirrhosis. This page will be updated as new information is discovered.

This content was created February 12, 2008

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The information provided herein should not be construed as a health-care diagnosis, treatment regimen or any other prescribed health-care advice or instruction. The information is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in the practice of medicine or any other health-care profession and does not enter into a health-care practioner/ patient relationship with its readers. The publisher does not advise or recommend to its readers treatment or action with regard to matters relating to their health or well being other than to suggest that readers consult appropriate health-care professionals in such matters. No action should be taken based solely on the content of this publication. The information and opinions provided herein are believed to be accurate and sound at the time of this publication based on the best judgment available to the authors. However, readers who rely on information in this publication to replace the advice of health-care professionals, or who fail to consult with health-care professionals assume all risks of such conduct. The publisher isn’t responsible for errors or omissions. The Food and Drug Administration have not evaluated these statements. These products aren’t intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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