Alcohol is the most abused substance in the world, and excessive consumption is the leading cause of liver damage. Taken in the form of beer, wine or distilled alcohol, a blood level of 100 mg/dL is considered drink driving in India. A blood concentration of 200 mg/dL results in lethargy and hypoglycemia, while 300-400 mg/dL may result in coma, respiratory arrest, and death.
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alcoholic liver disease
The liver, nervous system, cardiovascular system, digestive system, muscles, and reproductive system are all affected by alcohol consumption. Long-term alcohol use is also associated with an increased risk of liver, mouth, pharynx, food pipe, and other cancers
Alcoholism causes more damage to the liver, resulting in 3 separate but overlapping types of liver disease
Fatty change (hepatic steatosis)
Acute alcoholic hepatitis
Liver Fibrosis
Causes of fatty liver disease
Daily ethanol consumption of 80g or more increases the risk of significant liver damage, while daily ethanol intake of 160g or more over 10 to 20 years has been consistently associated with serious liver damage. On the other hand, cirrhosis only occurs in 10-15% of people who drink alcohol chronically. Women are more susceptible to liver damage, which may be due to changes in body composition, a decreased ability of alcohol to break down, or even a genetic predisposition. There are currently no genetic markers that can be used to identify people at risk.
Cirrhosis sometimes occurs without any prior signs of fatty change or hepatitis, raising questions about the relationship between fatty change or alcoholic hepatitis and the development of liver fibrosis. In the absence of a clear understanding of the various factors responsible for liver injury, a safe upper limit for alcohol intake cannot be determined.
The many forms of alcoholic liver disease
Treatment for alcoholic liver disease depends on the type of liver disease
fatty change
This is an acute and reversible effect of alcohol ingestion and, in the case of chronic alcoholism, may lead to massive enlargement of the liver
This occurs as a result of the increased breakdown of fats in the body, which causes more fatty acids to travel to the liver; Increased fat production in the liver, Decreased breakdown of fats in the liver, Impaired transport of fats out of the liver
Acute hepatitis from alcohol
In addition, this liver damage may be curable. It is caused by the direct toxic effects of alcohol and is caused by damage to liver cells, a decrease in protective chemicals, increased formation of toxic compounds within the liver, and activation of the immune system. Lack of oxygen supply to the liver also contributes to damage.
About 10-15% of people in this stage will develop cirrhosis if alcohol continues to be used. This happens suddenly, generally after a period of heavy drinking. The patient may arrive asymptomatic or with fulminant liver failure. However, typical signs and symptoms include fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss, fever, liver discomfort, and jaundice. Each bout of hepatitis carries a 10%-20% risk of death and repeated bouts lead to cirrhosis in a third of patients within a few years.
Hepatic cirrhosis
This stage is a serious and potentially fatal disease characterized by hardening and shrinking of the liver. The patient is weak, has muscular atrophy, ascites (fluid in the abdominal cavity), gastrointestinal bleeding, and is in a coma. This condition appears clinically through jaundice, ascites, portal hypertension and other characteristics such as marked enlargement of the abdomen and atrophy of the extremities.
alcohol in its final stages
Among the causes of death were hepatic coma, extensive gastrointestinal bleeding, persistent infection, renal failure, and liver cancer.
Usually, patients with fatty changes have a slight enlargement of the liver and no symptoms. The levels of alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin in blood tests may be slightly elevated or normal.
Blood tests show elevated levels of bilirubin, an increase in alkaline phosphatase, and an elevated white cell count in cases of acute alcoholic hepatitis.
Blood tests are grossly abnormal, and a liver biopsy may be necessary if cirrhosis is present.
Treatment of liver diseases caused by alcohol consumption
When there is a change in fat, quitting alcohol and eating a balanced diet can help heal liver damage.
Complete abstinence from alcohol and a healthy diet are recommended in cases of acute alcoholic hepatitis, allowing the condition to recover gradually. However, sometimes it worsens even after you quit drinking alcohol, leading to cirrhosis. Cirrhosis cannot be cured. Only a liver transplant is a possibility.
Acute liver failure
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis c
Cirrhosis
Liver Cancer