Alcoholism can Lead to Many Diseases

When you drink alcohol, it is absorbed into the bloodstream from the stomach and intestines. All blood from the stomach and intestines first goes through the liver before circulating around the whole body leading to many diseases. So, the highest concentration of alcohol is in the blood flowing through the liver.

Drinking too much alcohol can lead to three types of liver conditions - Fatty liver, Hepatitis and Cirrhosis.

Any, or all, of these conditions can occur at the same time in the same person.

Fatty liver: A build-up of fat occurs within liver cells in most people who regularly drink heavily. In itself, fatty liver is not usually serious and does not cause symptoms. Fatty liver will usually reverse if you stop drinking heavily. However, in some people the fatty liver progresses and develops into hepatitis.

Alcoholic hepatitis: Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. The inflammation can range from mild to severe liver infection.

Alcoholic cirrhosis: Cirrhosis is a condition where normal liver tissue is replaced by scar tissue (fibrosis). The scarring tends to be a gradual process. The scar tissue affects the normal structure and re-growth of liver cells. Liver cells become damaged and die as scar tissue gradually develops. Cirrhosis is the third most common cause of death after heart disorders and cancer among people aged 45 to 65. The scar tissue forms bands throughout the liver, destroying the liver's internal structure and impairing the liver's ability to regenerate itself or function.

For all types of liver disease caused by alcohol, you should stop drinking completely. Also, you may be referred to a dietician to review your diet. This is because many people who drink heavily do not eat properly and need advice on getting back into eating a healthy diet. Vitamin supplements may be prescribed for a while.