Signs Of Liver Damage From Alcoholism

The earliest stage of alcohol liver disease, alcoholic fatty liver disease, does not have many symptoms. If you do have symptoms, it is typically only exhaustion or discomfort in the upper right side of your abdomen. Because it does not usually have symptoms, your doctor might only suspect that you have fatty liver disease if you receive abnormal results on liver tests. 

Your doctor will look at your medical history, see if you have signs of an enlarged liver, and look for signs of jaundice. If you have alcoholic fatty liver disease, the best path to take is to stop drinking alcohol. The more alcohol you drink, the more inflamed and weakened your liver can get. While quitting your alcohol use can be easier said than done, you never have to do it alone.

The next stage of alcohol liver disease someone might experience is alcoholic hepatitis. This stage involves more inflammation and destroyed liver cells. It occurs when people have participated in heavy drinking for several years, though sometimes people who have consumed less will still get alcoholic hepatitis. This stage will typically have symptoms such as jaundice, loss of appetite, and belly tenderness. Someone might also have a fever, tiredness, and vomiting. These symptoms can lead to someone becoming malnourished because they don’t feel like eating and instead will drink alcohol for their calories. 

Other symptoms might include kidney failure, buildup of toxins, and fluid in the belly, known as ascites. If you think you might have alcoholic hepatitis due to the symptoms, it is best to discuss your concerns with your doctor. Allowing it to go untreated can lead to worsening stages of liver disease. The best way to keep yourself safe from later stages is to stop your alcohol use. Treatment is ultimately the best plan of action to remain healthy.

With treatment and lifestyle changes, alcoholic fibrosis can bring healing. Often, alcoholic fibrosis is associated with alcoholic hepatitis. Alcoholic fibrosis is a more severe case, and it comes from early scarring in the liver. Symptoms might include fever, vomiting, and jaundice. People may also experience abdominal pain. Stopping your use of alcohol and receiving proper treatment is the best chance at recovery. 

Alcoholic cirrhosis is the most severe stage of alcohol liver damage. It involves the most intense level of scarring and can be life-threatening. At this stage, it typically cannot be undone. Early detection can prevent further damage. Only in rare cases has it been reversed. Symptoms at this stage can typically include bruising, swelling in the legs and ankles, and fatigue. People will have jaundice and itchy skin. People might experience a loss of appetite followed by weight loss. Fluid will accumulate in the abdomen, and spider-like blood vessels may appear on the skin. Your palms will be red, and your fingernails may appear pale. Women may lose their periods not related to menopause, and men may have a loss of sex drive or testicular shrinkage. Confusion, drowsiness, and slurred speech are also common at this stage of alcohol liver damage. Having any of these symptoms is cause enough to bring up the possibility with your doctor. While it is rare to reverse cirrhosis when it is already here, not drinking alcohol can help prevent it from getting worse.