Alcoholism is a common cause of cirrhosis of the liver, with up to 20% of heavy drinkers developing alcoholic liver disease. Cirrhosis is a buildup of scar tissue on the liver, causing it to malfunction and leaving a person susceptible to serious complications. Early diagnosis and treatment can lead to recovery, but without it, damage is usually permanent, and a liver transplant is the only option. Alcoholism and cirrhosis can also lead to other conditions such as malnutrition, frequent infections, and kidney failure, and increase the risk of liver cancer.
Alcoholism and cirrhosis are both life threatening diseases. It is a fact that alcoholism is one of the most common causes of cirrhosis of the liver. Experts estimate that up to 20 percent of all heavy drinkers will develop alcoholic liver disease (ALD), such as cirrhosis, with continued alcohol abuse.
The liver produces proteins that produce healthy blood clotting. It also helps cleanse the blood of harmful toxins and bacteria, which can cause infections. This organ also helps process cholesterol, hormones, and nutrients in the blood.
Also known as cirrhosis of the liver or alcoholic liver disease, cirrhosis is a buildup of scar tissue on the liver. The thickening of the tissue on this organ makes it work harder than it normally would. Over time, the liver wears out and starts malfunctioning, which leaves a person susceptible to a number of serious complications.
Ever since researchers first discovered a correlation, the direct link between alcoholism and cirrhosis has been undeniable. Studying the effects of alcoholism and cirrhosis is often associated with studying the cause and effect of liver damage. This is because when alcohol enters the liver, it causes inflammation, which then leads to the creation of scar tissue.
Alcoholism and cirrhosis both tend to develop before a person realizes how they are affecting him or her life. Each tends to manifest through a gradual process. Indeed, in its early stages, individuals with alcoholic cirrhosis often do not exhibit any discernible symptoms. This exacerbates the problem of alcoholism and cirrhosis as further organ damage occurs when a person continues to abuse alcohol.
When detected before serious damage has occurred, with treatment and lifestyle changes that include abstaining from alcohol, the liver can recover from cirrhosis. Without early diagnosis, prompt treatment, and lifestyle changes, however, the damage from alcoholism and cirrhosis is usually permanent. It is at this point that an individual’s only option for a healthy liver is a liver transplant, but such is only made available to those who do not abuse alcohol.
Alcoholism and cirrhosis are further affected by other conditions that invade the body when the liver is impaired. One such condition is malnutrition due to a malfunctioning liver that is unable to properly absorb the right amount of nutrients needed to sustain the body. Also, without being able to adequately tackle the task of removing toxins from the blood, cirrhosis causes a buildup of toxins leading to frequent infections and a neurological condition known as hepatic encephalopathy, characterized by poor mental focus and confusion. For some, cirrhosis of the liver also leads to kidney failure. Research also indicates that alcoholism and cirrhosis increase an individual’s chance of developing liver cancer later in life.
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