The liver is the largest organ in the body and is responsible for many functions, including detoxification and removal of harmful substances. A chronic liver disease that develops as a result of excess alcohol consumption is caused cirrhosis. Alcohol is considered a toxic substance to the body, and when it is frequently ingested, it can cause a great deal of damage to the liver.
Physiology
When a person consumes alcohol, it gets broken down and absorbed into the bloodstream. The blood takes the alcohol to the liver, where the liver removes the alcohol from the bloodstream and prepares it for elimination from the body. Every time the liver detoxifies the blood of alcohol, the alcohol causes damage to the healthy tissues in the liver. The liver heals itself by generating scar tissue that becomes deposited in place of the healthy liver tissue. Excessive alcohol consumption causes the liver to undergo this process frequently. Eventually, the amount of scar tissue in the liver outweighs the amount of healthy tissue and the liver can no longer function properly. This condition is called cirrhosis.
Symptoms
Those in the early stages of cirrhosis do not usually experience any symptoms, according to MayoClinic.com. As the disease progresses and the damage becomes extensive, symptoms begin to develop. These symptoms include fatigue, easy bleeding, swelling of the abdomen due to the accumulation of fluid, loss of appetite, swelling of the legs and weight loss. The eyes, mucous membranes and skin may also develop a slightly yellow color, which is called jaundice.
Treatment
Initial stages of treatment for cirrhosis caused by excessive alcohol consumption consist of a number of lifestyle and diet changes in an attempt to slow down the progression of the disease. Eliminating alcohol from the diet is the most important treatment step. Other steps include following a low-salt diet and getting vaccinated for infections such as hepatitis and pneumonia, according to Medline Plus. Swelling associated with the accumulation of fluid can be reduced with the use of diuretics. Blood pressure medications may also be given to reduce the chances of bleeding. Liver transplants are rarely used and only considered for those who have the best chance of survival after the surgery, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse.
Complications
Cirrhosis can affect all of the organ systems and lead to a number of complications. One of the most common complications is edema and ascites. Edema is a condition that occurs when the liver cannot properly filter waste and fluid accumulates in the body tissues. This causes swelling, especially in the legs. Ascites is the accumulation of fluid in the abdomen. Ascites can lead to peritonitis, which is a serious stomach infection. Other complications include increased blood pressure in the portal vein, enlargement of the spleen, gallstones, insulin resistance and immune system dysfunction. When the immune system is not functioning properly, the risk of developing infections significantly increases.
Considerations
Although cirrhosis is most commonly caused by excessive alcohol consumption, it is important to note other conditions can cause the damage to the liver that leads to cirrhosis as well. Some of these conditions include hepatitis, bile duct diseases, cystic fibrosis, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and autoimmune diseases.
