Alcoholic Liver Disease
What is Alcoholic Liver Disease(ALD)?
Alcoholic Liver Disease is liver damage caused by long-term alcohol use. The liver gradually becomes inflamed and scarred, leading to progressive liver dysfunction.
ALD includes:
- Fatty liver – fat buildup in liver cells
- Alcoholic hepatitis – liver inflammation
- Cirrhosis – permanent scarring
How Does It Happen?
When alcohol is broken down in the liver, harmful substances like acetaldehyde and reactive oxygen species injure liver cells. Over time, repeated injury causes inflammation, fibrosis, and reduced liver function. Malnutrition and genetic factors can increase risk.
Symptoms by Stage:
Stage | Liver Changes | Symptoms |
Fatty Liver | Fat accumulation | Often no symptoms; mild fatigue |
Alcoholic Hepatitis | Inflammation | Jaundice, nausea, abdominal pain, malaise |
Cirrhosis | Scarring | Swelling in legs/abdomen, easy bruising, confusion |
Advanced Cirrhosis | Liver failure | Severe weakness, life-threatening infections |
Diagnosis at CIDS :
- Blood Tests: AST, ALT, bilirubin, INR
- Ultrasound
- FibroScan
- CT/MRI if needed
- Endoscopy for varices
- Liver biopsy in select cases
Treatment Options :
- Medical: Abstinence, nutrition, medications for hepatitis, management of complications
- Endoscopic: Variceal banding
- Surgical: Liver transplantation
- Lifestyle & Prevention
- Stop alcohol completely
- Healthy diet and weight
- Vaccinations for hepatitis
- Avoid liver-toxic drugs