What are the Risk Factors of Alcoholic Liver Disease?

Alcoholic Liver Disease: Risk Factors, Symptoms & Treatments

The liver is a complex and leading body organ with over 500 functions. Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) reflects liver damage due to excessive alcohol consumption. Apart from alcohol consumption, chronic hepatitis infection and malnutrition are the risk factors for this disease.

Continue reading to learn specific factors that contribute to the risk of alcoholic liver disease and its complications, symptoms and management strategies.

Recognise Risk Factors for Alcoholic Liver Disease

Alcoholic liver disease contains a spectrum of problems, such as progressive alcoholic hepatitis, fatty liver and cirrhosis. Here are some factors that increase the risk of this disease, including:

1. Overconsumption of Alcohol : Drinking excessive alcohol for a long period is the key risk for developing alcoholic liver disease. Prolonged alcohol abuse leads to fatty liver, causing scar tissue and inflammation that disrupts liver functions. This progressive condition damages the liver and introduces serious health issues.    
2. Viral Hepatitis : Hepatitis B leads to liver failure, damage, liver cancer, cirrhosis and even death. The combination of hepatitis B or liver infections and heavy drinking can enhance oxidative stress, which comprises the immune response to fight against infection. This combination increases the replication of hepatitis infection, faster liver disease growth and the development of cirrhosis.
3. Obesity : People who are overweight or obese are more likely to develop alcoholic liver disease. Obesity causes metabolic dysfunction, which is related to steatosis, liver disease, and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, leading to the risk of ALD. Moreover, it increases cytokines and hormone production, which leads to liver inflammation and damage.  

Complications of Alcoholic Liver Disease

Untreated alcoholic liver disease can develop various serious complications, which are:

• Portal hypertension
• Malnutrition
• Liver Cancer
• Jaundice
• Bone disease
• Hepatic encephalopathy
• Ascites
• Hepatopulmonary syndrome

Noticeable Signs of Alcoholic Liver Disease

Individuals with this disease may experience symptoms, including

• Abdominal discomfort or pain
• Appetite loss
• Increased thirst
• Vomiting and nausea
• Sudden weight gain or loss
• Discolouration, generally yellowish eyes
• Fainting
• Confusion
• Weakness
• Mood swings
• Sleep-wake cycle alteration

Treatments and Preventive Measures for Managing Alcoholic Liver Disease  

The best option for treating alcoholic liver disease is quitting alcohol consumption. Further treatment strategies include:

• Enrolment in cognitive therapy, such as detoxification programs, to eliminate the relapse into drinking alcohol. People who drink excessive alcohol can stay in rehabilitation for close monitoring.
• Medications such as Baclofen, Vivitrol, Topamax, Disulfiram and Acamprosate can help to prevent relapse of heavy drinking.
• Healthcare professionals prescribe antibiotics, and probiotics to reduce inflammation and improve acute alcoholic hepatitis.  
• In case of liver failure due to ALD, liver transplantation is the last option for survival.
• Proper nutritional support means taking multivitamins regularly, and healthy foods can boost the immune system to fight against chronic diseases and improve health.

Alcoholic liver disease is a result of overconsuming alcohol that damages the liver. People who have hepatitis B, liver infection, obesity, and who regularly drink too much alcohol are at risk of developing ALD.

Abdominal pain, yellowish eyes, diarrhoea, and frequent urination are the noticeable symptoms of alcoholic liver disease.