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May 29, 2023 · 4 min read. Gastritis means that your stomach ’s inner lining is inflamed or worn down. Alcoholic gastritis is what people call it if gastritis happens because of alcohol use. You can take...
- Jon Mckenna
Sep 14, 2024 · Gastritis. Gas Buildup. Weight Gain. How Long It Lasts. Relieving Alcohol Bloating. Abdominal bloating is when the stomach feels full of gas and may become distended (sticks out). The pressure or tightness in the abdomen can feel anywhere from mildly uncomfortable to really painful.
- Overview
- What are the early signs of liver damage from alcohol?
- What can happen to your liver if you drink too much alcohol?
- Risk factors for alcohol-related liver disease
- What can you do to improve your liver health?
- The bottom line
There are often no notable symptoms in the early stages of alcohol-related liver disease. If you do have symptoms, they may include pain or discomfort in the upper right side of your abdomen, fatigue, or unexplained weight loss.
Your liver is the organ found on the upper right side of your abdomen, just under your ribs. It has many functions that are essential to your health, such as:
•breaking down drugs, alcohol, and other potentially toxic substances
•producing bile to aid with the digestion of fats
•storing nutrients like glucose in the form of glycogen, as well as certain types of vitamins
•making proteins that are important for blood clotting
One of your liver’s jobs is to break down potentially toxic substances. This includes alcohol. When you drink, different enzymes in your liver work to break down alcohol so that it can be removed from your body.
When you drink more than your liver can effectively process, alcohol and its byproducts can damage your liver. This initially takes the form of increased fat in your liver, but over time it can lead to inflammation and the accumulation of scar tissue.
The early stages of alcohol-related liver disease often have no symptoms. Because of this, you may not even know that you’ve experienced liver damage due to alcohol.
If symptoms are present, they may include:
•swelling of your liver, which may lead to discomfort in the upper right side of your abdomen
•fatigue
Alcoholic fatty liver disease
Alcoholic fatty liver disease is also called hepatic steatosis. It happens when fat begins to build up within your liver. Consuming too much alcohol can inhibit the breakdown of fats in the liver, causing fat accumulation. Alcoholic fatty liver disease is common in heavy drinkers. In fact, it’s estimated that up to 90 percent of people who drink heavily have some form of this condition. People with alcoholic fatty liver disease typically have no symptoms. When symptoms are present, they can include: •discomfort in the area of the liver •fatigue •unexplained weight loss Alcoholic fatty liver disease can be reversed by abstaining from alcohol for at least several weeks. The exact amount of time can vary by individual. For some, abstinence may need to be permanent. If someone with this condition has alcohol use disorder, a healthcare provider will need to set up a treatment plan. This plan will help manage the condition as well as the withdrawal symptoms that may occur with abstinence.
Alcoholic hepatitis
If excessive alcohol consumption continues, inflammation levels can begin to increase in the liver. This can lead to a condition called alcoholic hepatitis. Alcoholic hepatitis can have the following symptoms: •pain in the area of the liver •fatigue •loss of appetite •fever •nausea and vomiting •jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes) Alcoholic hepatitis can be mild or severe. In mild alcoholic hepatitis, liver damage occurs slowly over the course of many years. Severe alcoholic hepatitis can come on suddenly, such as after binge drinking, and can be life threatening. If you develop alcoholic hepatitis, you may be able to reverse the damage by permanently abstaining from alcohol. Treatment also involves dietary changes and medications to reduce inflammation. Some people with severe alcoholic hepatitis may need a liver transplant.
Alcoholic cirrhosis
Continued liver damage due to alcohol consumption can lead to the formation of scar tissue, which begins to replace healthy liver tissue. This is referred to as fibrosis. When extensive fibrosis has occurred, alcoholic cirrhosis develops. The symptoms of alcoholic cirrhosis are similar to those of alcoholic hepatitis. Additionally, alcoholic cirrhosis can lead to a variety of serious health complications, such as: •portal hypertension (high blood pressure of the liver) •ascites (accumulation of fluid in the abdomen) •hepatic encephalopathy (brain damage due to increased toxin levels in the blood) •bleeding from veins in the upper digestive tract (varices) •increased risk of infection •kidney failure •liver cancer Alcoholic cirrhosis can’t be reversed. Treatment focuses on minimizing additional liver damage while addressing any complications that arise. In advanced cases, a liver transplant may be necessary.
Some of the risk factors for developing alcohol-related liver disease include:
•Alcohol consumption. Although drinking in moderation can cause some degree of fatty liver, consuming high quantities of alcohol over a long period of time puts you at an increased risk of alcohol-related liver disease.
•Sex. Women are more likely to develop alcohol-related liver disease than men.
•Obesity. People who have obesity are at a higher risk of alcohol-related liver disease.
•Infections. Liver damage is accelerated in individuals who have chronic hepatitis B or hepatitis C.
•Genetics. Genetic factors can influence how your body processes alcohol as well as your risk for alcohol-related liver disease or alcohol use disorder.
There are several steps you can take to help improve the health of your liver. Cutting down on your alcohol consumption is one of them.
Drinking alcohol in moderation can help lower your risk of liver disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines moderate alcohol consumption as:
•up to 1 drink per day for women
•up to 2 drinks per day for men
Keep in mind that what’s considered a standard drink can vary based on the type of alcohol you’re consuming. One drink is considered to be:
•12 ounces (oz) of beer (5 percent alcohol)
Alcohol is one of several substances that can damage your liver. Excessive alcohol consumption can cause fat to build up in your liver. This can lead to inflammation and an increase in scar tissue, which can seriously impact your liver’s ability to function as it should.
The early stages of alcohol-related liver disease typically have no symptoms. When they’re present, the early symptoms can include pain in the area of your liver, fatigue, and unexplained weight loss.
The early stages of alcohol-related liver disease can potentially be reversed by abstaining from alcohol. For some people, this may need to be permanent. If damage persists, alcoholic cirrhosis can develop, which can’t be reversed.
You can improve the health of your liver by abstaining from alcohol or only drinking in moderation, eating a healthy diet, and managing your weight. If you notice early signs of alcohol-related liver disease, be sure to follow up with your doctor.
- Changes in your skin. Drinking too much alcohol often spells bad news for your skin complexion and youthfulness. Alcohol can lead to dehydration and inflammation of the skin as well as throw off your sleep cycle.
- Easy bruising. Heavy drinking can lead to easy bruising and bleeding, and not just because you’re more prone to falling and hitting table corners when drunk.
- Weight gain. Research studies on the association between weight gain and alcohol consumption have ended in conflicting results. In other words, weight gain isn’t inevitable, but you could still tip the scale up from drinking too much alcohol.
- Loss of appetite and weight loss. This may seem contradictory to the previous point. But long-term and excessive alcohol consumption can lead to liver inflammation (liver hepatitis).
Aug 17, 2023 · Bloating after drinking alcohol can result from gastritis — an inflammatory condition that affects the stomach — or gas. Regular alcohol consumption can also lead to weight gain, which may feel...
- Aaron Kandola
- Consuming alcohol can lead to high levels of stomach acid. This can inflame the stomach lining, leading to irritation and bloating that can last a...
- Reducing alcohol intake is a first step. If you have discomfort due to occasional alcohol bloating, over-the-counter antacids, such as Alka Seltzer...
- Alcohol bloating due to acute gastritis usually disappears within a few days, but chronic gastritis symptoms can last months or even years.
Oct 1, 2023 · Excessive drinking can contribute to high blood pressure, obesity, and stroke, while moderate drinking (no more than one drink per day for women and two drinks or fewer per day for men) is linked to a lower risk of heart problems.
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