Today alcohol is a part of many people’s lives. It has become a part of our celebrations, relaxation, and socialisation. But when drinking becomes heavy or long-term, it can start damaging the most important organs in your body — the liver.
This damage is caused by consuming too much alcohol over time and is known as Alcoholic Liver Disease (ALD). Let’s take a closer look at what this condition is, how it begins, and why spotting it early is so important.
The Role of Liver
The liver is an organ that removes toxins from our body. Apart from removing toxins, it keeps the blood clean, helps in digestion, stores energy, and breaks down toxins like alcohol. It also plays a role in processing various drugs used for treating liver disease and other conditions. Alcohol, however, in excess, can lead to inflammation, fatty liver disease, and cirrhosis of the liver. This combination of liver disease and drugs can complicate the liver’s function further. This is when alcoholic liver disease starts.
Who Is at Risk?
Heavy drinkers are at a higher risk, but not everyone who drinks will get alcoholic liver disease (ALD). There are several factors that increase your chances:
- How much and how often you drink: Consuming large amounts of alcohol regularly can increase the chances of developing ALD.
- Gender: Women have more chances of developing ALD than men, even with lower alcohol consumption.
- Other liver conditions: Risk is higher for those who already have hepatitis or fatty liver disease.
- Obesity and poor nutrition: These make your liver even more sensitive to alcohol damage.
- Genetics and family history: Some people are more prone due to genetics.
- Use of certain medications: Some drugs can interact with liver disease and worsen its progression
If you are concerned about your risk or drinking habits, a private liver scan clinic in the UK like Harmony Gut and Liver can help you assess your liver health confidentially and with care.
How Does Alcohol Damage the Liver?
The liver helps to break down the alcohol consumed and flushes it out of the body. But if the consumption is too high, it can lead to build-up and cause:
- Fat deposits in liver cells (steatosis)
- Inflammation of the liver (hepatitis)
- Long-term scarring (cirrhosis)
These changes do not happen suddenly. It is a slow and gradual process, that is why ALD is not noticed until there is damage to the liver. When liver disease and drugs are both involved, the damage can become harder to reverse.
Common Symptoms of Alcoholic liver Disease (ALD) to Watch Out For!
In the early stages, you might not feel anything at all. So, many people do not realise they have ALD until it progresses. However, some signs to watch out for include:
● Feeling tired all the time
● Loss of appetite or weight
● Pain or discomfort in the upper right side of the tummy
● Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
● Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea
● Swelling in the stomach or legs
If you notice any of these signs and have a history of drinking, you should seek medical help early. A liver specialist in Milton Keynes is there to support you through every step – from diagnosis to finding the right treatment.
How Is Alcoholic Liver Disease (ALD) Identified?
To figure out if you have alcoholic liver disease, doctors start with your health background, physical exams, and do some tests. These often include:
- Blood tests: To check for liver damage
- Scans: Like an ultrasound or FibroScan to see how fatty or large the liver is
- Biopsy (if required): To find out how serious the damage is
- Specialist consult: For alcoholic hepatitis and treatment planning
- Medication review: Doctors may assess any drugs you’re taking to avoid interactions with liver disease.
Early diagnosis can really help by giving you more treatment choices and a better chance to heal.
Why Early Detection Is So Important?
The earlier alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is detected, the better chances we have for a successful treatment. At this point, the damage is still reversible if alcohol is stopped completely.
But if left undetected, ALD can quickly progress to alcoholic hepatitis, which is more serious and dangerous to life. Continuous alcohol use can then lead to cirrhosis, which is the most severe stage of liver scarring. Here the liver is at a point where it cannot heal itself.
Getting a cirrhosis diagnosis and care in Milton Keynes through private clinics like Harmony Gut and Liver makes sure that you get timely attention and expert consultant care without the wait.
Final Thoughts
Your liver works hard to take care of you every single day. But alcohol can silently damage it before you even notice a problem. The good news? If caught early, alcoholic liver disease can be managed and also reversed with proper care.
This is especially true when liver disease and drugs are both monitored closely by a specialist. If you are worried about your drinking, or just want to make sure your liver is healthy, take the first step. Book a check-up. A private liver scan clinic in the UK like Harmony can offer the tests, guidance, and personalized care you need in a discreet, supportive environment.
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