Alcoholic liver disease

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Digestive system organs

Liver disease due to alcohol; Cirrhosis or hepatitis - alcoholic; Laennec's cirrhosis

The most important part of treatment is to stop using alcohol completely. If liver cirrhosis has not yet occurred, the liver can heal if you stop drinking alcohol.

An alcohol rehabilitation program or counseling may be necessary to break the alcohol addiction. Vitamins, especially B-complex and folic acid, can help reverse malnutrition.

If cirrhosis develops, you will need to manage the complications of cirrhosis. You may need a liver transplant.

See also: Alcoholic neuropathy

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You can often ease the stress of illness by joining a support group whose members share common experiences and problems.

See:

• Alcoholism - support group
• Liver disease - support group

Continued excessive drinking can shorten your lifespan. The outcome will likely be poor if you keep drinking.

• Bleeding esophageal varices
• Cirrhosis
• Hepatic encephalopathy
• Increased pressure in blood vessels of the liver (portal hypertension)

Call your health care provider if:

• You develop symptoms of alcoholic liver disease
• You develop symptoms after prolonged or heavy drinking
• You are concerned that drinking may be damaging your health

Review Date: 12/13/2010
Reviewed By: George F Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program San Diego, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).