As soon as you see these symptoms, the lovers of alcohol understand that the liver is completely damaged.
Liver is a very important part of our body. The liver performs many functions in the body such as breaking down drugs, alcohol and toxins, producing bile and storing glucose. But liver damage starts due to many things. One of the main reasons for liver damage is excessive consumption of alcohol.
The liver is an organ located on the upper side of the abdomen. Which is inside your ribs. The liver performs many functions in the body such as breaking down drugs, alcohol and toxic substances, producing bile so that fat can be broken down in the body. To store certain types of vitamins and glucose and to manufacture proteins that are considered essential for blood clotting.
There are many things that can damage your liver. However, the liver tissue is regenerated. But if your liver is damaged continuously, then it starts forming scar tissue. When scar tissue is formed, it replaces the healthy liver tissue. When this happens, the liver becomes unable to function properly.
One of the main causes of liver damage is the consumption of alcohol. When liver damage occurs due to alcohol, it is called alcohol-related liver disease.
So let's know what are the early signs of alcohol-related liver disease and also know what alcohol does to your liver.
What are the early signs of liver damage from alcohol?
The liver works to break down toxic substances in the body. This also includes alcohol. When you consume alcohol, different enzymes present in the liver start breaking it down so that it can be removed from your body.
When you consume more alcohol than the capacity of your liver, it leads to liver damage. Due to this, fat starts increasing in your liver and over time it damages healthy liver tissue and leads to formation of scar tissue.
There are no symptoms in the beginning of liver disease caused by alcohol. Because of which you do not even realize how much alcohol has damaged your liver.
If some symptoms of liver disease are seen due to alcohol, then they include-
Swelling of the liver, which may cause discomfort in the upper right part of your stomach, tiredness, unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting.
What happens to your liver if you drink too much alcohol?
Under the liver disease caused by alcohol, three types of problems have to be faced. Let's know about them -
Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease- Alcoholic fatty liver disease is also known as hepatic steatosis. This is when fat starts accumulating in your liver. By consuming too much alcohol, the fat is not broken down in the liver, due to which it starts accumulating.
The problem of alcoholic fatty liver disease is quite common in people who consume a lot of alcohol. There are no symptoms of alcoholic fatty liver disease. If its symptoms are seen, then it includes problems around the liver, fatigue, weight loss without any reason.
This problem can be got rid of by not consuming alcohol for a few weeks. Although in some people this problem takes a few weeks, in some it may take longer to recover.
Alcoholic Hepatitis- If you consume alcohol in excessive amounts continuously, it increases the inflammation in the liver. Due to which you may have to face the problem of alcoholic hepatitis.
Symptoms of alcoholic hepatitis include pain around the liver, fatigue, loss of appetite, hunger, nausea and vomiting, jaundice.
Alcoholic hepatitis can be mild and severe. The liver damages slowly in mild alcoholic hepatitis. Whereas, in severe alcoholic hepatitis, the liver is suddenly damaged. If you want to get rid of alcoholic hepatitis, then the consumption of alcohol has to be completely stopped. Also, in its treatment, you also need to change your diet. In alcoholic hepatitis, sometimes a person's liver transplant is also needed.
Alcoholic Cirrhosis- Continuous consumption of alcohol causes damage to healthy liver tissue and formation of scar tissue. This is called fibrosis. As fibrosis progresses, one has to face the problem of alcoholic cirrhosis.
The symptoms of alcoholic cirrhosis are similar to those of alcoholic hepatitis. Also, alcoholic cirrhosis can lead to many serious diseases. For example, high blood pressure in the liver, accumulation of fluid in the stomach, brain damage due to increased blood toxin level, increased risk of infection, kidney failure and liver cancer.
Risk factors for liver disease caused by alcohol
Consumption of alcohol- Consuming excessive amounts of alcohol for a long time increases the risk of alcohol-related liver damage significantly.
Sex- Women have a much higher risk of alcohol-related liver damage than men.
Obesity- People who are obese have a much higher risk of alcohol-related liver damage.
Infection- People suffering from hepatitis B and hepatitis C are at higher risk of liver damage.
How can you improve liver health?
There are a few ways you can improve the health of your liver. Not consuming alcohol is one of these. Consumption of alcohol in moderation and infrequently reduces the risk of liver disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has told how much alcohol should be consumed by women and men-
One drink per day for women.
2 drinks daily for men.
Liver health can also be boosted in this way
Healthy diet - To boost liver health, it is important that you consume fresh things, whole grains, proteins, as well as limit the intake of high sugar, unhealthy fats, and refined carbohydrates.
Exercise- Exercising daily reduces the extra fat of the body, it also reduces liver fat.
Manage weight- Due to obesity, the risk of alcoholic fatty liver disease increases significantly. In such a situation it is important that you maintain your weight.
Regular health checkup- By getting regular health checkup, you can find out any disease before time. If you see early symptoms of alcohol related liver disease, then definitely see a doctor.