How alcohol impacts liver health

Our liver’s primary function is to filter the harmful materials in the blood that comes from the digestive tract. It also produces bile that the body uses to digest our food. However, the liver finds it very difficult to process large amounts of alcohol in the body. A person who consumes more than two drinks in a day causes a lot of strain to the liver and is at high risk for developing liver disease. If you know someone who drinks too much alcohol and faces health issues, take that person to the Centre for Liver Transplant in Delhi to evaluate if he/she has liver disease.

What happens when a person drinks alcohol?

Did you know that the liver needs an hour for processing one type of alcoholic drink? So, the more you drink, the more time the liver needs to process the alcohol. When there is too much alcohol in your body, it causes a strain on the liver cells and causes damage to them. Over the long run, you develop a condition called fatty liver or fibrosis. It can even lead to cirrhosis or serious liver damage.

Symptoms commonly observed during liver disease

If you have liver disease, you may exhibit the following symptoms:

• The urine will be dark in colour
• You may have nausea or vomiting
• Your stools may be discoloured
• The eyes and skin may look yellowish
• Your abdomen may show swelling
• You experience pain in the abdomen
• You may get swelling in the legs and ankles
• Your appetite is low
• You experience tiredness and weakness

If you experience any such symptoms, visit the Best Liver Transplant Hospital in Delhi to check if you have any liver-related issues.

Types of liver disease that alcohol causes

• Fatty liver is the most common liver disease and is seen in heaviest drinkers. Fat builds up in the liver of a person who has this disease. This condition can be reversed if the person stays off alcohol.
• Some people with fatty liver may also get a moderate inflammation of the liver. This condition is also called alcoholic hepatitis.
• There is another condition called acute alcoholic hepatitis, whichcan be life-threatening. The person may experience symptoms like stomach pain, appetite loss, and yellow-colored skin. It may lead to liver failure in the long run.
• A very heavy drinker may suffer from scarring of the liver or cirrhosis. In this condition, there is a build-up of scar tissue in the liver, due to which the liver cannot function normally. Ultimately, it may lead to liver failure and cause death. Some of the symptoms experienced include loss of appetite, vomiting of blood, and swelling in the abdomen.

Treatment options for alcohol-related liver disease

• If you suffer from fatty liver disease, you will need to abstain from alcoholic drinks for at least a fortnight to reverse the condition
• If your condition is more serious like alcoholic hepatitis or cirrhosis, your doctor will ask you to totally give up alcohol
• In life-threatening cases of liver disease, a liver transplant may be the only option available

As you can see, drinking too much alcohol is very bad for your liver and can completely disrupt your normal life. If you think you have alcohol-related liver disease, visit Saroj Hospital, the Best GI Surgery Hospital in Delhi, and get a proper diagnosis. The world-class hospital is renowned for its state of the art healthcare amenities and its highly-qualified doctors. The doctors use the most advanced diagnostic techniques to evaluate patients and prescribe the best possible treatment plans. Treatment at Saroj Super Speciality Hospital maximizes your chance of total recovery and return to a normal, active lifestyle.