Alcoholic liver damage occurs in a way that is unlikely to get spotted until the damage has been done. Alcoholic liver damage may be caused by heavy drinking over a long period of time. Studies showed that women are more prone to liver damage from alcohol as compared to men.
Alcoholic liver damage has 4 stages:-
Liver damage stage 1:- Fatty liver disease
Fatty liver disease or fatty degeneration is defined as the accumulation of fat in the liver. After the consumption of alcohol, it gets metabolized in the body forming end products like carbon dioxide, water and fat
Liver damage caused due to fatty liver disease may not be so harmful and thus can be controlled or reversed by quitting drinking. However damage will get worse if drinking continues.
Liver damage stage 2:- Alcohol hepatitis
The next stage to fatty liver disease is alcohol hepatitis. It is characterized by liver inflammation. In severe cases it makes liver to function abnormally with the possibility of liver failure.
Liver damage caused due to this liver damage stage is reversible if controlled within time by quitting alcohol.
Liver damage stage 3:- Liver fibrosis
The next stage to alcohol hepatitis is liver fibrosis. When a person drinks excessively, liver forms a tough fibrous scar tissue in order to protect itself. However due to excessive drinking this scar tissue gets damaged and accumulated in large amount.
Though this liver damage stage is irreversible but its progression can be stopped by quitting alcohol.
Liver damage stage 4: - Liver cirrhosis
It is the final stage of alcoholic liver disease. Liver cirrhosis occurs as a result of long-term damage caused due to heavy drinking. In this liver damage stage, nodules and scar tissues replace healthy liver cells. Liver doesn’t function properly and may eventually fail during liver cirrhosis
This liver damage stage is irreversible. It may also increases the risk of liver cancer and decreases life expectancy
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