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Alcoholic Liver Disease: Causes

What causes alcoholic liver disease?

Alcoholic liver disease is caused by long-term, extensive alcohol use. Not everyone who consumes a lot of alcohol gets alcoholic liver disease, but the more alcohol consumed on a regular basis, and the longer the alcohol use lasts, the greater your risk of developing alcoholic liver disease.

What are the risk factors for alcoholic liver disease?

A number of factors may increase the risk of developing alcoholic liver disease. Not all people with risk factors will get alcoholic liver disease. Risk factors for alcoholic liver disease include:

  • Binge drinking
  • Poor nutrition
  • Years of alcohol use
INTRODUCTION

What is alcoholic liver disease?

Alcoholic liver disease is long-term damage to the liver from extensive alcohol use, leading to loss of liver function. The more alcohol consumed on a regular basis, and the longer the alcohol use lasts, the greater your risk of developing alcoholic liver disease.... Read more about alcoholic liver disease introduction

SYMPTOMS

What are the symptoms of alcoholic liver disease?

Symptoms of alcoholic liver disease affect multiple body systems, including the skin, gastrointestinal system, brain and nervous system, and the blood. The most serious symptoms are related to encephalopathy (brain disorder) and affect levels of consciousness, memory, and cognitive abilities.... Read more about alcoholic liver disease symptoms

TREATMENTS

How is alcoholic liver disease treated?

The first and most crucial step in treatment is to completely discontinue your consumption of alcohol. If cirrhosis (scarring) has not yet begun, abstaining from alcohol actually can allow the liver to heal.... Read more about alcoholic liver disease treatments

UP NEXT ›› Treatments
Medical Reviewer: All content has been reviewed by board-certified physicians under the direction of Rich Klasco, M.D., FACEP. Last Annual Review Date: May 2, 2011 Copyright: © Copyright 2011 Health Grades, Inc. All rights reserved. May not be reproduced or reprinted without permission from Health Grades, Inc. Use of this information is governed by the HealthGrades User Agreement.

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