WHAT IS ALCOHOLIC LIVER DISEASE (ALD)

Alcoholic liver disease is the outcome of  excessive alcohol consumption over a period of time. Usually, it is a severe and fatal result of alcohol abuse. Over the years, alcohol abuse leads to the replacement of healthy liver tissue with scar tissue and can cause ALD (alcohol-related diseases).

Alcohol, in this form is not only life-threatening but can also cause liver failure and is considered as one of the biggest reasons for acute liver damage.  

Stages in ALD 

ALD occurs in three stages viz. 

1. Fatty Liver: also known as steatosis, fatty liver is a highly prevalent liver disease characterized by an excessive accumulation of fat inside the liver cells. It makes it hard for the liver to function properly. Usually addicts get to the fatty liver stage in their early years of alcohol abuse. 

2.  Alcoholic Hepatitis: is characterized by the inflammation of the liver often resulting in rapid degeneration of liver cells. This second stage in ALD  might last for some years but will eventually progress to absolute liver damage if the patient continues drinking. In rather critical cases, this can lead to life-threatening complications such as liver cirrhosis and absolute liver damage. Jaundice is the most common symptom in second stage of ALD along with nausea, vomiting, lack of appetite, Abdominal tenderness, fatigue ,weakness, weight loss.

3.  Liver Cirrhosis: the last and final stage of Alcoholic Liver Disease is where permanent scarring of healthy liver tissue occurs. Considered as  a severe condition and an irreversible one, in this stage a patient will witness liver failure symptoms, along with the symptoms of alcoholic hepatitis like fluid accumulation in the abdomen, bleeding from veins, confusion, spleen enlargement, etc. 

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF ALCOHOLIC LIVER DISEASE (ALD)

The early symptoms of Alcoholic Liver Disease are hard to recognise and can be dismissed as a stomach infection, these include: pain in the abdomen, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea and decreased appetite.  

The symptoms in the  later stages of alcoholic liver disease are more distinct and recognisable. These include: 

• Jaundice, or a yellow tint of the whites of the eyes and the skin

• Swelling of the lower limbs (Edema

• Fluid build up in the abdomen 

• Shivering & fever, itchy skin

• Clubbing of fingernails ( excessively curved)  

• Significant weight loss  

• General weakness and wasting muscles

• Blood in vomit and stools, bruising more easily

• Bleeding and bruising more easily

• Sensitive reactions to alcohol and drugs

DIAGNOSIS & TREATMENT

Diagnosis: In case of ALD symptoms Doctors may diagnose the condition using blood tests, liver function tests using imaging modalities such as Ultrasound, CT and / or MRI scan. In advanced stages the doctors may want to do a Liver Biopsy to study the extent of scarring of the liver tissue and endoscopy. 

Treatment 

1. Complete Abstinence is the most important therapeutic intervention for people with ALD.

2. Nutritional Therapy as Protein –calorie malnutrition is one of the major complications of ALD.

3. Pharmacological Therapy is likely to be prescribed comprising various drugs and medications. 

4. Liver Transplant may be the only treatment option in severe ALD where liver has stopped functioning, no improvement is being demonstrated even after the patient stops drinking. 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

1. If you do have alcohol, always drink in moderation

2. If you are at risk, get yourself checked periodically for liver damage

3. If you cant control your drinking - ABSTAIN ALTOGETHER