Alcoholic Liver Disease

📖What is Alcoholic Liver Disease?

Alcoholic liver disease encompasses a spectrum of liver damage caused by prolonged, heavy alcohol consumption, ranging from simple fatty liver, which is often reversible, to alcoholic hepatitis and ultimately cirrhosis, which involves permanent scarring of the liver. The liver metabolises the vast majority of alcohol consumed, and this process generates toxic byproducts that damage liver cells when consumption exceeds the organ's capacity to process it safely over time. The disease typically progresses in stages, with continued heavy drinking driving progression from fatty liver to inflammation and eventually irreversible scarring, though the pace and severity vary between individuals based on genetics, drinking pattern, and other factors. Alcoholic hepatitis, an acute inflammatory flare that can occur at any stage, can be severe and life-threatening, particularly with continued drinking. Complete abstinence from alcohol is the single most important step in treatment at any stage and can allow significant, sometimes complete, recovery in earlier stages of disease.

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