Functions of the liver: The liver serves as the gateway to the blood stream. It processes almost everything that gets into our system through the mouth before they find their ways into the blood stream. Therefore, it is a very important organs in the body. Some of its functions are as follows:

1. Aiding food digestion
2. Regulation of blood sugar
3. Storage of excess sugar in the blood
4. Production of substances that help in blood clotting
5. Regulation of cholesterol level
6. Production of substances that help fight infection
7. Removal of toxins from blood, including the toxic components of medication

Due to these strategic functions and the fact that there is only one liver per person, the liver is very resilient and regenerates itself in order to keep up with its daily functions. This means the liver produces new cells to replace the damaged ones.

What is the effect of alcohol on liver?

When the liver filters and processes alcohol, some of its cells die in the process. However, due to the ability of the liver to regenerate itself, the remaining cells reproduce themselves to replace the dead cells. Heavy alcohol drinking for many years overstretches the ability of the liver cells to reproduce themselves and replace the dead cells, resulting in permanent damage to the liver. This damage progresses gradually from alcoholic fatty liver to liver cirrhosis. 

How is alcohol-related liver disease treated?

There is no known treatment for liver damage caused by alcohol, as it tends to be permanent. Remedy is possible when permanent damage has not been done. The following are the possible remedy:

1. Stop drinking alcohol: When you stop drinking, the continuous damage to the liver stops and recovery begins. The extent to which the liver can recover depends on the enormity of the damage alcohol has done to it during the years of drinking, before the decision to stop.
2. Liver transplant: In situations where liver damage due to alcohol has gone too far beyond recovery before recognizing it, and recovery cannot be achieved after stopping alcohol (as in liver cirrhosis), liver transplant may be necessary. It is required that those with severe liver damage, awaiting liver transplant, avoid alcohol completely. After transplant, alcohol drinking is also prohibited.

What are the complications of liver disease linked to alcohol?

The following are the complications that may accompany liver disease associated with alcohol:

1. Low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia)
2. Excessive bleeding after injury
3. Internal bleeding
4. Abdominal swelling due to accumulation of fluid in the abdomen (ascites)
5. Increased risk of infection
6. Accumulation of toxic waste in the blood, leading to excess toxic waste in the brain, causing confusion (encephalopathy)
7. Liver cirrhosis
8. Liver cancer

Can liver damage due to alcohol be prevented?

To avoid liver damage due to alcohol, the following steps are important:

1. Avoid drinking alcohol
2. Stop drinking alcohol if you have been drinking: this reverses liver damage caused by alcohol as much as possible
3. If you must drink, stick to the recommended daily limits as advised by your doctor