Alcohol, also referred to as ethanol, is a compound found in beer, wine, and liquor that is produced by the fermentation of yeast, sugars, and starches. Alcohol affects every organ in the body once it enters the bloodstream, but primarily affects the liver since it is metabolized in the liver by enzymes. Excessive and long-term consumption of alcohol can cause permanent damage to the liver that can lead to chronic liver disease and death.
About Alcohol Consumption
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, moderate drinking is defined as having no more than one standard drink per day for women and no more than two standard drinks per day for men. A standard drink is defined as a 12 oz beer, 5 oz of wine, or 1.5 oz of liquor. Heavy drinking occurs if an individual consumes more than one standard drink per day for women and more than two drinks per day for men. A form of heavy drinking known as binge drinking occurs when five or more alcoholic drinks are consumed by a man or four or more alcoholic drinks are consumed by a woman in about a two-hour time period. Long-term heavy drinking can lead to alcohol abuse or alcoholism, which is when an individual becomes dependent on alcohol, and when alcohol consumption begins to interrupt an individual's daily responsibilities at work, school, and relationships with others. Heavy drinking can also lead to liver damage known as alcoholic liver disease, or cirrhosis.
Alcohol and the Liver
The liver is a filter and storage house for the body that helps fight infection, clean the blood, digest food, and store energy. When alcohol is consumed, it is immediately absorbed through the lining of the stomach and small intestine into the bloodstream. The liver works to metabolize the alcohol in the bloodstream, and on average, can process about 1 oz. of alcohol each hour, with excess alcohol remaining in the bloodstream. Heavy drinking or binge drinking places stress on the liver since it cannot process all of the alcohol that is being consumed, and over time this stress can cause permanent damage to the liver.
Alcoholic Liver Disease
In the early stages of alcoholic liver disease, the liver becomes inflamed and enlarged since it is trying to heal the injuries caused by excessive alcohol consumption. At this stage, known as alcoholic hepatitis, diagnosis and treatment can prevent further damage to the liver and induce healing of inflammation. However, untreated liver disease can lead to a buildup of scar tissue in the liver known as fibrosis. Fibrosis can reduce efficiency of blood flow in the liver and can place more stress on the healthier parts of the liver. Treatment and healing of the liver at this stage is still possible, according to the American Liver Foundation, but untreated fibrosis can lead to permanent liver damage.
Alcoholic Cirrhosis
Untreated fibrosis can lead to cirrhosis, which is irreversible liver damage where liver scarring is so serious that healing is not possible. Cirrhosis can lead to complications such as liver cancer, blockage in the blood vessels leading to the liver, jaundice or yellowish discoloration in the eyes and skin, insulin resistance, or neurological conditions such as memory or sleeping problems due to toxin buildup in the brain. Chronic liver failure is often a result of cirrhosis and can lead to liver failure, which ultimately leads to death.
Diagnosis of Liver Disease
Early diagnosis of alcoholic liver disease is crucial to early treatment and prevention of permanent liver damage. Symptoms of liver disease such as abdominal pain, dry mouth, loss of appetite, and fluid retention in the abdomen may not occur until the later stages of disease. Therefore, if someone you know is suspected of having a drinking problem, encourage them to get treatment or join a support group before the damage to their body, and lives, becomes permanent.
