Most people know that heavy drinking, especially imbibing to the point of blackouts could ultimately result in liver problems. However, some may wonder if liver issues only occur in those who ingest such significant amounts of alcohol during various drinking binges.
The Reality
Unfortunately, the truth is that even moderate drinking over prolonged periods could also eventually precipitate damage to the body’s chief toxin-filtration organ.
Ingesting alcohol over an extended duration of time could lead to a condition called fatty liver disease, an ailment known scientifically as alcohol-induced liver steatosis.
As this issue progresses, alcohol causes the liver to accumulate large quantities of fat. Livers with increased fat deposits ultimately function less efficiently, which could lead to untoward physical manifestations.
Furthermore, this illness could lay the groundwork for more serious liver concerns like hepatitis, which is the inflammation and swelling of liver tissue and cirrhosis, or the liver scarring indicative of permanent and irreversible damage.
Associated Symptoms
Symptoms will often depend on the specific underlying condition and said malady’s severity. That said, liver diseases often produce a certain number of common untoward and potentially serious events including:
- Abdominal pain
- Tenderness
- Jaundice, which is a yellowing of the skin and eyes
- Digestive issues, such as bloating, nausea, appetite loss, gas, and vomiting
- Tiredness
- Increased thirst
- Skin abnormalities
- Bloody, tarry stools
- Unusual bleeding, especially from the nose and gums
Additionally, liver issues often impact the nervous system. This could manifest in cognitive function disturbances like memory loss and concentration difficulties. Moreover, mental health concerns, such as mood swings, anxiety, depression, and agitation could result.
The Importance Of A Clear And Firm Diagnosis
In an appreciable percentage of instances, alcohol-induced fatty liver disease and other more significant hepatic maladies do not become symptomatic until said occurrence has advanced to the middle or late stages.
Therefore, persons who have been drinking moderate to prodigious sums of alcohol for discernible time frames are implored to consult with their doctors and undergo a thorough medical examination whether they experience any of the aforementioned manifestations or not.
Liver disease is typically diagnosed utilizing techniques, including complete blood count tests, sometimes abbreviated as CBCs, coagulation studies used to determine how quickly and efficiently the patient’s blood clots, various liver function tests, and liver biopsies. During a biopsy, a healthcare provider extracts a tiny portion of the patient’s liver for careful examination inside a laboratory.
Moreover, physicians might employ internal imaging tests, such as computerized tomography, also known as CT scans, and abdominal ultrasound to either confirm the diagnosis or eliminate other conditions.
Treatment Options
Medical professionals will formulate therapeutic protocols after considering factors including the patients:
- Age
- General health
- Liver ailment in question
- The severity of the preceding problem
That said, part and parcel to any remedial effort must be the immediate cessation of all alcoholic beverages. The liver holds an amazing capacity to heal and even regenerate if not damaged beyond repair.
Unfortunately, however, not everyone possesses the capacity to simply stop. Alcohol is a highly addictive substance that produces noticeable to potentially life-threatening withdrawal symptoms when a user abruptly stops ingesting the product.
Moreover, many addicts and moderate users never reach the withdrawal stage. This is because their minds and bodies have grown so reliant on alcohol to function that the mental addiction prevents them from stopping.
Persons experiencing such circumstances are often encouraged to seek treatment at an inpatient clinic staffed with reputable, skilled, and compassionate substance dependency specialists versed in working with such individuals. Treatment is often administered in phases.
For severely dependent subjects, detox is often the first stage. This involves gradually weaning the addict off alcohol using medications. Such efforts could prove dangerous and must be overseen by experienced medical professionals.
Once the healing soul rids the alcohol from their bodies, they enter the treatment phase. Treatment encompasses numerous programs, counseling sessions, and activities designed to help the recovering person face personal demons, address the reasons they consumed alcohol so recklessly, and gradually prepare for a return to the outside world as a sober subject.
Prevention
The most direct method of preventing alcohol-related liver disease is to either not start or stop drinking.
Reaching Out To Us
Our Houston-based facility urges moderate to heavy alcohol consumers experiencing the symptoms of liver disease or whom believe they might be addicted to contact us as soon as possible.
Should liver disease progress to a late stage, it could be irreversible and fatal. Ergo, concerned and impacted parties are implored to seek help before circumstances progress to such perilous levels.
We boast an impressive history treating alcohol dependents and helping them overcome this challenging addiction. Please contact us today at 833-364-0736.