Question 1

how does alcoholism affect my liver?

Accepted Answer

Many ways : And none good. It interferes with effective functioning and detoxification of body wastes and can lead to cirrhosis.

Question 2

what is a good way to cure minor liver problem caused by alcoholism?

Accepted Answer

Abstain from Alcohol: I am not sure what you mean by minor liver problems. One's liver can repair itself, if the damage is not too severe. A blood test can be used to determine the extent of the damage and also how much one's liver is able to return to normal functioning.

Question 3

can livers heal after alcoholism?

Accepted Answer

Yes-it's possible: It is possible, even likely for one's liver to heal following abuse of alcohol. But it depends on how much damage has been done. Some folks are able to drink a lot for a long while and not incur any damage. Others may have more sensitive livers. A blood test can best determine the extent of damage. Alcohol can negatively affect every organ in the body, except for one-the kidneys.

Question 4

can livers heal after severe alcoholism?

Accepted Answer

Sometimes: It depends on how severe the liver damage has been, and how committed the alcoholic is to avoiding relapse.  If an alcoholic with fatty liver stops drinking, the liver may recover.  If things progress to cirrhosis, additional nutritional and other treatments may be needed.  If there are ascites, varices, and mental status changes, liver transplant may be  needed -- but is very difficult.

Question 5

what cause fatty liver in chronic alcoholism?

Accepted Answer

Multiple mechanisms: Mobilization of fat from tissues, depression of protein synthesis in the liver, nutritional deficiencies in chronic alcoholics and direct alcoholic liver injury contribute to accumulation of fat in the liver that may progress to cirrhosis.

Question 6

is there a  common liver disease as a result of alcoholism?

Accepted Answer

Alcoholic Cirrosis: Alcohol in moderation is  broken by the liver tissue and converted to usable parts.If the quantity is large enough it can overwhelm the tissue it can kill tissue. Liver cells can repair & regrow to some extent. If the alcohol destroys tissue faster than it can be repaired, the liver will begin to shrink down & scar & lose its ability to do other liver stuff. This is alcoholic cirrosis.

Question 7

how long does it take for permanent liver damage to take effect from alcoholism?

Accepted Answer

It depends: This depends on the quantity of alcohol consumed and the period of time it was consumed.  In addition, this depends on the person's baseline liver function or any underlying liver disease.

Question 8

other than alcoholism what causes cirrhosis of the liver?

Accepted Answer

Many other things: World-wide, hepatitis B is the most common cause, and in the US hepatitis C is now the most common. Primary biliary cirrhosis, autoimmune hepatitis, Wilson's disease and alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency are other causes of cirrhosis which are somewhat more rare, and in some cases, no cause can be found (cryptogenic cirrhosis). Many can be treated, and now some can be prevented with medication.

Question 9

is chronic liver disease usually caused by alcoholism and poor diet?

Accepted Answer

Can be both: There are different causes of chronic liver disease, chronic alcohol abuse can definitly lead chronic liver problems such as fatty liver and cirrhosis. Poor diet can lead to obesity which is quickly becoming a leading cause of chronic liver disease as well. The other leading causes of liver disease would be infection with hepatitis b or c viruses.

Question 10

how much worse can hepatitis c be when there is existing liver damage from alcoholism and drug abuse?

Accepted Answer

Much worse: Typically hepc will damage the liver without any other factors.  However, if there is alcohol or additional toxins the damage is more exponential than additive.  In otherwords it will muliply the damage from one agent alone rather than just add to it.

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Doctor answers about:

Alcoholism affect liver

A member asked:

How does alcoholism affect my liver?

A member asked:

What is a good way to cure minor liver problem caused by alcoholism?

A member asked:

Can livers heal after alcoholism?

A member asked:

Can livers heal after severe alcoholism?

A member asked:

What cause fatty liver in chronic alcoholism?

A member asked:

Is there a common liver disease as a result of alcoholism?

A member asked:

How long does it take for permanent liver damage to take effect from alcoholism?

A member asked:

Other than alcoholism what causes cirrhosis of the liver?

A member asked:

Is chronic liver disease usually caused by alcoholism and poor diet?

A member asked:

How much worse can hepatitis c be when there is existing liver damage from alcoholism and drug abuse?

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