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Alcohol liver disease includes a series of disorders that may exist by themselves or as part of a continuum extending from the earliest stages to cirrhosis and liver cancer. Alcohol accounts for the 7th leading cause of death in America with alcohol liver disease accounting for 1/3 of all cases. An estimated 1 million deaths from 1999 to 2017 stem from alcohol liver disease. Alcohol liver disease is the most common cause of liver transplantation worldwide.
Most stages of alcohol liver disease may exist without provoking symptoms. No specific level of consumption seems universally safe. Even as little as 1 drink a day may lead to the first stage of alcohol liver disease known as fatty liver or liver steatosis. This refers to an accumulation of fat in the liver cells originally localized and subsequently more widespread with continued alcohol consumption.
Fatty liver remains asymptomatic and reverses with discontinuation of further drinking. Alcoholic hepatitis or steatohepatitis represents a considerably more toxic condition that may manifest as mild non-specific symptoms or progress to signs of liver failure or death. It represents one of the major alcohol related illnesses even among individuals between age 25-36.
Cirrhosis may ultimately result but need not lead to symptoms. Without further stress on the liver, cirrhosis may be compensated allowing the individual to lead a seemingly normal life. Unfortunately further insult to the liver in the form of continued alcohol consumption, hepatitis, a prescription medicine or even acetaminophen may lead to decompensated cirrhosis. This may entail accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity, bleeding into the gastrointestinal tract, brain malfunction and kidney failure.
Another complication of cirrhosis may be cancer arising in the liver. Needless to say, enjoy you beer, wine and liquor within appropriate limits.