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Alcoholic Liver Disease
Alcoholic liver disease is liver damage from drinking too much alcohol over time. It ranges from fatty liver (reversible) to alcoholic hepatitis and, eventually, cirrhosis.
Causes & risk factors
- Regular heavy alcohol intake over years
- Binge drinking
- Higher risk with obesity or hepatitis infection
- Genetic and nutritional factors
- Continuing to drink after early liver damage
Common symptoms
- Often none in the early (fatty liver) stage
- Tiredness
- Yellowing of the eyes and skin (jaundice)
- Upper right tummy pain
- Nausea and poor appetite
- Swelling of the tummy or legs
Tests & diagnosis
- LFT
- CBC
- Clotting (PT/INR)
- Liver ultrasound or FibroScan
- Albumin
Treatment & management
- Stop drinking alcohol completely — the single most important step
- Support to quit, including counselling and, if needed, medical detox
- Good nutrition and vitamin supplements
- Treat complications of advanced disease
- Consider a liver transplant in selected people who stay abstinent
When to see a doctor urgently
- Yellow eyes or skin
- Vomiting blood or black stools — seek emergency care
- Confusion or drowsiness
- Rapid tummy swelling or fever
Frequently asked questions
Will my liver recover if I stop drinking?
Early alcoholic fatty liver often improves within weeks of stopping. More advanced damage may not fully reverse, but stopping alcohol still greatly slows or halts the disease.
How much alcohol is safe with liver disease?
If you already have liver damage, the safest amount is none. Complete abstinence gives the liver the best chance to recover and prevents further harm.
Explore more
Sources & further reading
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- MedlinePlus — U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, India
- Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
Reviewed by Dr. Sanjay Anbu, MBBS. MedDroid is an AI medical assistant and can make mistakes. It provides general health information, not a diagnosis or medical advice — always consult a qualified clinician. In an emergency, contact your local emergency number immediately.