What Does Drinking Do To Your Liver?

Your liver is your body's detoxifier, removing potentially harmful toxins from the blood. One toxin can be especially damaging to the liver when consumed in excess: alcohol. While the liver is able to filter moderate amounts of alcohol, drinking too much can result in cell death and scar tissue that affects your liver function permanently.

Filtration

The liver is about the size of a football and filters your blood while also converting nutrients in your food into usable sources for your body. The liver also is responsible for storing certain vitamins, minerals, sugars and fats. Your liver can filter about one drink per day if you are a woman and two drinks a day if you are a man -- one to two days per week. While one night of excess drinking likely will not irreparably damage your liver, chronic drinking often causes serious damage.

Cirrhosis

If you drink excessively over time, your liver becomes flooded with alcohol, which limits its ability to receive fresh blood. Without oxygenated blood, the liver cells can die. The cells are then replaced with scar tissue -- a condition known as cirrhosis. To understand cirrhosis, imagine the liver as a metal strainer with tiny holes. Each time scar tissue forms, more of the holes are plugged, meaning fewer and fewer particles can be filtered through the liver. If cirrhosis continues, the liver can become completely unable to filter toxins, leading to a buildup of toxins in your blood. Because chronic drinking contributes to cirrhosis, it can ultimately result in a complete loss of liver function.

Genetic Factors

It is important to note that alcohol does not affect every person the same way. Some people's livers may have a higher filtration rate than others. Genetics may be a factor. If you have a family history of alcoholism, hepatitis or cirrhosis in your family, you may be at greater risk for compromised liver function. Regardless of family history, however, you should stick to the recommended guidelines of one to two drinks no more than once or twice per week.

Medications and Alcohol

In addition to excess alcohol, alcohol and medications can be a harmful combination. Drinking alcohol and taking medications -- even over-the-counter options like acetaminophen and herbal medications -- can have damaging effects on the body. When the liver is filtering both alcohol and medications, it releases a toxic enzyme called transaminase, which can lead to acute liver damage or liver failure. Before taking any medication, read medication labels carefully to ensure you can take them and drink alcohol.

Warning Signs

If you are a binge drinker or exceed alcohol recommendations on a weekly basis, it's important to be aware of symptoms that your drinking can affect your liver function. Examples include fatigue, yellowing of the skin or eyes, extremity swelling and abdominal swelling. If your drinking has become problematic -- you experience blackouts or your drinking has interfered with personal relationships, seek medical help. Chronic binge drinking can affect both your overall health and personal life.