What is a liver failure?

Liver failure occurs when a large portion of the liver has been damaged to the point of being unable to function and perform properly. Generally the liver is able to regenerate itself, but if the liver becomes damaged to the point that regeneration is no longer possible, this is known as liver failure.

Many people who abuse alcohol over a long period of time eventually have liver failure because of the damage done to the liver by alcohol.  The liver functions by breaking down the alcohol out of the body, and in cases of alcohol abuse, the job becomes too great for the liver to break down the alcohol and begins inhibiting problems with the break down of carbohydrates, fats and proteins.

There are considered to be three types of alcohol related liver disease.

Fatty liver occurs when there is a build up of fat cells in the liver.  Generally there are no serious symptoms of fatty liver, only maybe a feeling of being uncomfortable and the occasional pain in the abdomen.   Fatty liver occurs in almost everyone who drinks heavily, but if you stop drinking the condition usually improves.

Alcohol hepatitis is a condition that is known as an inflammation of the liver.  Generally this condition occurs over time with as much as 35% of those who drink heavily, and will cause progressive liver damage.  The damage may be reversed if the person stops drinking.  In severe cases, the disease can seem to appear suddenly after a night of binge drinking and can be life threatening.  Symptoms of alcohol hepatitis include vomiting, nausea, fever, jaundice, and lack of appetite.

Alcohol cirrhosis is the most dangerous of the liver diseases associated with alcohol abuse.   What happens in cirrhosis is that scar tissue replaces healthy liver tissue. Studies show that cirrhosis of the liver occurs in up to 20% of those who drink heavily.  While the symptoms are similar to those of alcohol hepatitis, the difference is that cirrhosis is not reversible and is permanent damage to the liver.   If a person stops drinking it could stabilize the disease, but it won’t cure it.

Many heavy drinkers progress from fatty liver, to alcohol hepatitis and finally alcohol cirrhosis.   In addition to liver failure, other life-threatening complications can arise such as liver cancer, enlarged spleen, and kidney failure.

They key to fighting liver disease after being diagnosed is to stop drinking before causing further damage that could cost your life.

If you or a loved one have a problem with liver damage due to addiction
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Works Cited
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seizure>
<http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003200.htm>