![]() men and women are advised not to regularly drink more than 14 units a week.The most effective way to prevent ARLD is to stop drinking alcohol or stick to the recommended limits: Read more about the complications of ARLD. fluid accumulation in the abdomen (ascites) with associated kidney failure.build-up of toxins in the brain (encephalopathy).Life-threatening complications of ARLD include: Alcohol is now one of the most common causes of death in the UK, along with smoking and high blood pressure. Complicationsĭeath rates linked to ARLD have risen considerably over the last few decades. All liver transplant units require a person to not drink alcohol while awaiting the transplant, and for the rest of their life. You'll only be considered for a liver transplant if you've developed complications of cirrhosis, despite having stopped drinking. However, support, advice and medical treatment may be available through local alcohol support services.Ī liver transplant may be required in severe cases where the liver has stopped functioning and doesn't improve when you stop drinking alcohol. If a person is dependent on alcohol, stopping drinking can be very difficult. This reduces the risk of further damage to your liver and gives it the best chance of recovering. The main treatment is to stop drinking, preferably for the rest of your life. There's currently no specific medical treatment for ARLD. It's generally not reversible, but stopping drinking alcohol immediately can prevent further damage and significantly increase your life expectancy.Ī person who has alcohol-related cirrhosis and doesn't stop drinking has a less than 50% chance of living for at least 5 more years. CirrhosisĬirrhosis is a stage of ARLD where the liver has become significantly scarred. Even at this stage, there may not be any obvious symptoms. Many people die from the condition each year in the UK, and some people only find out they have liver damage when their condition reaches this stage. ![]() Severe alcoholic hepatitis, however, is a serious and life-threatening illness. The liver damage associated with mild alcoholic hepatitis is usually reversible if you stop drinking permanently. Less commonly, alcoholic hepatitis can occur if you drink a large amount of alcohol in a short period of time (binge drinking). When this develops, it may be the first time a person is aware they're damaging their liver through alcohol. Alcoholic hepatitisĪlcoholic hepatitis – which is unrelated to infectious hepatitis – is a potentially serious condition that can be caused by alcohol misuse over a longer period. If you stop drinking alcohol for 2 weeks, your liver should return to normal. This is called alcoholic fatty liver disease, and is the first stage of ARLD.įatty liver disease rarely causes any symptoms, but it's an important warning sign that you're drinking at a harmful level.įatty liver disease is reversible. Alcoholic fatty liver diseaseĭrinking a large amount of alcohol, even for just a few days, can lead to a build-up of fats in the liver. There are 3 main stages of ARLD, although there's often an overlap between each stage. These stages are explained below. This can result in serious and permanent damage to your liver.ĪRLD is very common in the UK – the number of people with the condition has been increasing over the last few decades as a result of increasing levels of alcohol misuse. The liver can develop new cells, but prolonged alcohol misuse (drinking too much) over many years can reduce its ability to regenerate. Each time your liver filters alcohol, some of the liver cells die. The liver is very resilient and capable of regenerating itself. regulating blood sugar and cholesterol levels.With the exception of the brain, the liver is the most complex organ in the body. Its functions include: If you regularly drink alcohol to excess, tell your GP so they can check if your liver is damaged. This means ARLD is frequently diagnosed during tests for other conditions, or at a stage of advanced liver damage. vomiting blood or passing blood in your stools.yellowing of the eyes and skin (jaundice).There are several stages of severity and a range of associated symptoms.ĪRLD doesn't usually cause any symptoms until the liver has been severely damaged. Alcohol-related liver disease (ARLD) refers to liver damage caused by excess alcohol intake.
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