Alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) is a severe and life-threatening condition caused by too much alcohol. It is the leading cause of chronic liver disease worldwide and is the fifth leading cause of death by disease in the United States.
Alcohol-related liver disease is a progressive, reversible disease process and varies in severity. Heavy drinking can damage the liver cells and lead to alcoholic cirrhosis and liver failure.
Long-term alcohol consumption causes liver inflammation and fibrosis, a scarring process that supports further inflammation and high levels of oxidative stress.
ALD also increases a person’s risk of developing alcohol-induced hepatitis, a liver infection caused by drinking alcohol.
ALD is more common in people who consume excessive amounts of alcohol for long periods but can also occur in people who drink heavily, even for short periods.
Long-term, moderate drinking can also contribute to ALD, although the intake would need to be greater than recommended.
Heavy drinking can increase the risk of developing certain types of cancers, such as liver cancer, and other chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes.
Signs and symptoms of ALD include abdominal pain, jaundice, fatigue, and changes in appetite and weight.
The degree of liver injury resulting from excessive alcohol consumption is related to the amount of alcohol consumed and the length of time the person consumes alcohol.
Treatment of ALD includes abstinence from alcohol and medical care.
Liver transplantation is a last resort for people with severe ALD, but a lifestyle change is the most effective way to reduce impairment and progression of the disease.
