Alcohol and the liver. Side effects of overconsumption can be fatal

When it comes to drinking, it seems as though Americans are fond of taking an alcoholic beverage from time to time. In a Gallup Consumption Habits poll, 63 percent of Americans reported that they drink alcohol, while 37 percent reported they abstain.

While alcohol is typically not harmful in moderation, and can actually be beneficial in certain instances, when alcohol consumption becomes excessive it may also turn problematic. And as the Gallup poll points out, excessive alcohol consumption is a genuine concern for many Americans. Among women, 7 percent of respondents fell into the category of excessive drinking, while 9 percent of men fell into that category. ("Excessive drinking" is classified as having 20 or more drinks in a 7-day span.)

While alcohol education programs exist for younger people such as school-aged children and teenagers, programs are not as readily available, if at all, to adults. Though most adults are keenly aware that excessive alcohol consumption is unhealthy, getting a better grasp of the possible consequences of such consumption could be a means to reduce individual alcohol consumption.

According to the American Liver Foundation, three types of liver disease are commonly related to alcohol consumption.

Alcoholic Hepatitis

As much as 35 percent of heavy drinkers will develop alcoholic hepatitis, which is an inflammation of the liver. Mild alcoholic hepatitis can last for years and lead to progressive liver damage, while severe alcoholic hepatitis can occur suddenly, such as after binge drinking, and possibly lead to life-threatening complications.

Mild forms of alcoholic hepatitis might be reversible if the individual stops consuming alcohol. Symptoms of alcoholic hepatitis can include nausea, fever, jaundice, loss of appetite, and vomiting.

Fatty Liver

Fatty liver occurs when fat cells are built up in the liver, which occurs almost universally among heavy drinkers. Symptoms of fatty liver are typically non-existent, though discomfort in the upper abdomen can be a side effect thanks to the enlargement of the liver. For those who stop drinking, the condition of fatty liver can improve.

Alcoholic Cirrhosis

The most serious, and arguably the most widely known, type of alcohol-related liver disease is alcoholic cirrhosis, which occurs when normal liver tissue is replaced by scar tissue. As much as 20 percent of heavy drinkers develop cirrhosis, typically after 10 or more years of consuming alcohol.

While the symptoms of cirrhosis are similar to those of alcoholic hepatitis, cirrhosis is not reversible. People suffering from cirrhosis might see their condition stabilize if they stop drinking, but that is not a guarantee and cirrhosis remains a life-threatening disease.

For heavy drinkers, liver disease is progressive. For example, a heavy drinker can initially suffer from fatty liver, which can then progress to alcoholic hepatitis and finally to alcoholic cirrhosis.

To learn more about liver disease, visit the American Liver Foundation Web site at www.liverfoundation.org. If you or someone you know could possibly be suffering from alcohol addiction, visit the Alcoholics Anonymous Web site at www.aa.org for further information and assistance.

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Potential Complications of

Alcohol-Induced Liver Disease

While it can be enjoyable to let loose and have a few drinks, overdoing it when it comes to alcohol can lead to very serious consequences. Heavy drinkers, for instance, are greatly increasing their risk for alcohol-induced liver disease, which can result in the following unfortunate and uncomfortable complications:

* Enlarged spleen

* High blood pressure in the liver

* Changes in mental function

* Coma

* Kidney failure

* Bleeding in the esophagus

* Liver cancer