Ethanol Effects on the Liver

The liver is the one of the most exceptional organs in the human body. Primarily functioning to remove toxins from the bloodstream, the liver performs a host of important tasks for overall health. From storing vitamins to creating necessary proteins from amino acids, the liver gives your body the energy and strength it needs to survive. The liver also processes complex fats, metabolizes and stores the body's sugars for energy, and creates cholesterols.

The Dangers of Alcohol to the Liver

The liver protects the body from the harmful effects ofalcohol, breaking down toxins in ethanol, the active ingredient in alcoholicbeverages. When alcohol dependency develops, the amount of ethanol overwhelmsthe liver, creating dire consequences.

Three Stages of Ethanol Effects on theLiver

As ethanol begins to take its toll on the liver, threeprogressive stages of liver damage occur.

• Fatty liver
  The condition of “fatty liver,” or steotosis, occurs when the liver ceases to process well after ethanol damage. Over time, fat accumulates in the liver cells, which can ultimately lead to scar tissue production or cysts. While fatty liver does not tend to create noticeable symptoms, the condition can be diagnosed through specialized tests that assess liver function.
• Alcohol-induced Hepatitis
  After repeated and prolonged ethanol use, the liver naturally becomes inflamed. The inflammation of the liver leads to symptoms such as jaundice, fluid in the abdomen, and exhaustion. In some cases, cognitive problems can even occur. If these symptoms go untreated, alcohol-induced hepatitis can even lead to fatality. However, many cases of alcohol-induced hepatitis can be treated with corticosteroid drugs, allowing the patient to recover.
• Cirrhosis
  If inflammation of the liver is not treated or cured, continual ethanol exposure can cause the liver to enter a chronic state of disease. Over time, the liver's healthy tissue is gradually reduced, while scar tissue becomes the norm. This condition unfortunately can lead to liver failure and fatality, and is considered irreversible once it reaches this advanced stage.

Reversal of Ethanol Damage ThroughRecovery

The good news is that the first two stagesfatty liver andalcohol-induced hepatitiscan be reversed by the recovery process. Our bodieshave an amazing ability to heal, giving even those with dependency issues afresh start and new lease on health.

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