Cirrhosis of the liver can result from alcohol abuse. Liver cirrhosis is a condition characterized by irreversible scarring that impairs liver function. This damage can eventually cause liver failure. Cirrhosis develops due to ongoing liver injury over a prolonged period. The primary culprits include alcohol and drug use, viral infections, and metabolic issues.
What Is Liver Cirrhosis?
Cirrhosis is advanced stage liver disease, where scar tissue gradually replaces healthy liver tissue, primarily due to chronic hepatitis. Hepatitis, an inflammation of the liver, can be triggered by many different factors. Continuous inflammation leads to the liver forming scar tissue in an attempt to heal, but excessive scarring stunts the liver’s functionality, culminating in chronic liver failure.
The progression of cirrhosis involves an accumulation of scar tissue that inflames the condition. Initially, the body may adapt, maintaining sufficient liver function despite reduced capacity. This phase is known as compensated cirrhosis. However, as the liver’s condition deteriorates, noticeable symptoms emerge, indicating a shift to decompensated cirrhosis.
This scarring disrupts the normal flow of blood and oxygen within the liver, impairing its ability to process blood, metabolize nutrients, and eliminate toxins. Beyond this, cirrhosis affects the liver’s production of bile and vital blood proteins. Scar tissue can also exert pressure on the liver’s blood vessels, including the crucial portal vein system, causing portal hypertension, a severe complication of cirrhosis.
Signs of Cirrhosis of The Liver from Alcohol
The signs of liver cirrhosis from alcohol may vary based on its stage of progression. In the early stages, you might not experience any symptoms, or the symptoms might be so subtle and non-specific that they can easily be mistaken for those of other conditions. As the disease progresses and liver function worsens, the symptoms become more distinct, reflecting issues such as bile not being properly processed and accumulating where it shouldn’t.
Initial symptoms of cirrhosis can include:
- Nausea
- Appetite loss
- Fatigue
- Lethargy
- Pain in upper abdomen
- Spider-like blood vessels on the skin
- Reddening of palms
Symptoms of Liver Cirrhosis from Alcohol
Symptoms of cirrhosis are broadly divided into those associated with deteriorating liver function and those stemming from portal hypertension. Jaundice, indicating impaired bile flow, is a key sign of reduced liver capacity. Conversely, symptoms linked to portal hypertension are more specific to cirrhosis, resulting from scar tissue constricting the portal vein in the liver.
Symptoms signaling reduced liver functionality include:
- Jaundice
- Itchy skin
- Dark urine
- Pale stools
- Trouble digesting fats
- Small deposits of fat around eyelids
- Unintended weight loss
- Muscle loss
- Confusion
- Mood swings
- Memory problems
- Tremors
- Muscle twitching
- Impaired muscle control
- Irregular menstrual cycles
Symptoms indicative of portal hypertension include:
- Accumulation of fluid in abdomen
- Edema (swelling)
- Bruising or bleeding
- Blood in vomit or stools
- Reduced urine production
- Breathlessness
Treatment for Liver Cirrhosis from Alcohol
Cirrhosis marks a phase of liver disease where irreversible scarring prevents the liver from healing itself, despite its remarkable regenerative capabilities. Progression of cirrhosis can often be slowed or halted, though, depending on the underlying cause, its treatability, and the effectiveness of treatment responses.
Approaches to treating liver cirrhosis involve:
- Addressing the root cause to minimize further damage
- Adopting dietary and lifestyle changes to reduce liver burden
- Monitoring and treating cirrhosis-related complications
- Considering liver transplantation in severe cases
Medications can play a role in managing specific liver conditions with varied outcomes. For instance, antiviral drugs can eliminate chronic hepatitis C, but only control chronic hepatitis B. Autoimmune liver diseases may benefit from corticosteroids and immunosuppressants, although effectiveness varies. Some inherited liver diseases can be reversed with medications, while others might only see symptom management.
For those with liver disease linked to toxins or alcohol, removing these substances is imperative and may require substance use disorder treatment. For NAFLD (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease), controlling metabolic factors like cholesterol, glucose levels, and body weight can offer relief. This may require medications.
Abstaining from alcohol and liver-damaging drugs is beneficial for all liver disease types, as is managing metabolic stress. A balanced diet and appropriate weight are universally recommended for liver health, alongside dietary supplements to plug nutritional gaps.
Upon diagnosing cirrhosis, healthcare providers will screen for complications like portal hypertension, each with its tailored treatments, which might include:
- Procedures to close off bleeding veins
- Blood transfusions
- Kidney dialysis
- Oxygen therapy
- Treatment for fluid accumulation
- Laxatives to remove toxins from the GI tract
Liver cancer, especially hepatocellular carcinoma, is a significant risk for those with cirrhosis. While not all cirrhosis patients develop liver cancer, it is a common progression. Treatment may involve cancer therapies or liver transplantation. Liver transplantation becomes an option when health is expected to worsen without it, such as in cases of active liver failure, cancer, or unresponsive liver disease. Eligibility for transplantation leads to placement on a national waiting list, with urgency dictating priority.
Get Treatment for Alcohol Addiction at Ohio Recovery Centers
At Ohio Recovery Centers, you can engage with evidence-based alcohol addiction treatment at our Cincinnati rehab in an outpatient capacity. This enables you to maintain your everyday commitments without compromising your recovery.
Those with severe alcohol use disorders will benefit from our supervised medical detoxification program to streamline withdrawal and mitigate complications. You can choose from a variety of intensive outpatient programs following detox, allowing you to address the psychological aspect of alcohol addiction.
All alcohol addictions are unique, so treatment at Ohio Recovery Centers reflects this with individualized care. You can access a blend of medications, talk therapies, motivational therapies, counseling, and holistic treatments. All treatment programs also feature a comprehensive aftercare component due to the relapsing nature of addiction.
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