Overview
Alcoholic liver disease develops in persons who abuse alcohol-containing drinks for a long time (more than 10-12 years) in average daily doses (in terms of pure ethanol) 40-80 grams for men and more than 20 grams for women. Manifestations of alcoholic liver disease are fatty degeneration (steatosis, fatty tissue degeneration), cirrhosis (replacement of liver tissue with connective - fibrous), alcoholic hepatitis .
The risk of alcohol disease in men is almost three times higher, since alcohol abuse occurs in a ratio of 4 to 11 among women and men. However, the development of alcohol disease in women occurs faster and with less alcohol. This is due to the gender characteristics of absorption, catabolism and excretion of alcohol. Due to the increase in the consumption of strong alcoholic beverages in the world, alcoholic liver disease is a serious social and medical problem, which is being addressed by specialists in the field of modern gastroenterology and narcology.
Stages of alcoholic liver disease:
There are three of them: cirrhosis, steatosis, and alcoholic hepatitis.
Steatosis of the liver
The early stage of the condition is alcoholic fatty liver disease. Almost everyone who consumes alcohol excessively develops it. If you quit drinking, your body will return to normal within a few weeks without the need for medical attention. But if you keep using alcohol, alcoholic hepatitis will initially appear, followed by liver cirrhosis.
Alcoholic hepatitis
Subacute liver inflammation starts to form at this point. Mallory bodies, enormous mitochondria, and the development of fibrosis are its defining features. This stage of the illness is followed by a violation of the liver, and cirrhosis finally emerges. There are frequently issues, such as varicose vein haemorrhage. This is a sign that the illness is getting worse, thus it has to be treated right away by getting in touch with a hospital.
Cirrhosis of the liver
The last stage of the illness, which frequently appears in alcohol-dependent individuals. Violations of the fundamental functioning of the liver are present together with severe fibrosis. Develops portal hypertension as a result. The likelihood of developing other conditions, such as hepatocellular carcinoma, is considerably enhanced. As a result, death occurs.