What is Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease?
Alcoholic fatty liver disease is a common condition in individuals who regularly consume high amounts of alcohol. Many of these individuals are often unaware of their condition. Initially harmless, this condition can be a precursor to more serious diseases such as liver cirrhosis (i.e., severely injured liver).
At a Glance
- Alcoholic fatty liver disease is initially harmless but can lead to severe diseases such as liver cirrhosis.
- The condition often goes unnoticed.
- In addition to regular high alcohol consumption, other risk factors include being overweight.
- Approximately 90% of people who regularly consume large amounts of alcohol develop fatty liver.
- If alcohol consumption is stopped, the fatty liver can regress.
Note: The information in this article cannot replace a doctor’s examination and should not be used for self-diagnosis or treatment.
What is Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease?
In alcoholic fatty liver disease, more fat accumulates in liver cells. This is due to the excessive and regular consumption of alcohol. While initially harmless, fatty liver can develop into more serious conditions such as steatohepatitis (inflammation of a fatty liver) or liver cirrhosis.
As long as no harm has occurred, alcoholic fatty liver disease can heal on its own if alcohol consumption is ceased. Additionally, if alcohol addiction is present, it needs to be treated.
What are the Symptoms of Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease?
Many people with alcoholic fatty liver disease are unaware of their condition. However, some may experience symptoms such as loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting.
What Causes Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease?
Alcohol is broken down in the liver. Large amounts of alcohol can impair liver function and destroy or alter cells. Additionally, fatty acids are produced during the breakdown of alcohol and are stored in the liver. Therefore, the liver can become fatty when large amounts of alcohol are consumed regularly.
Binge drinking also increases the risk of fatty liver. This refers to consuming large amounts of alcohol in a short period (approximately 1.25 liters of beer or 0.6 liters of wine for men, and approximately 1 liter of beer or 0.5 liters of wine for women).
What Factors Lead to Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease?
In addition to binge drinking, the following factors also increase the risk of fatty liver:
Additionally, fatty liver disease develops faster in women compared to men.
Important Information: According to the German Central Office for Addiction Issues, the risk of alcohol-related diseases increases when women consume more than 12 grams and men more than 24 grams of pure alcohol per day. 12 grams of alcohol can be found in a small beer (0.3 liters) or a small glass of wine (0.125 liters).
How Common is Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease?
Since the disease almost always proceeds without symptoms, there are no exact figures on its prevalence. However, studies show that about 90% of those who consume large amounts of alcohol over a long period develop fatty liver. For example, this could be two bottles or more of beer per day in men.
How Does Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Progress?
In individuals who completely abstain from alcohol after developing fatty liver, the changes in the liver quickly regress.
Alcoholic fatty liver disease is the mildest form of alcohol-related liver diseases. Along with this disease, the risk of developing fatty liver inflammation and subsequently, the risk of developing liver cirrhosis, a potentially fatal severe disease, increases.
How is Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Diagnosed?
There can be various signs of alcoholic fatty liver disease, including:
- Detectable enlargement of the liver
- Elevated levels of certain liver enzymes in the blood
If there is a reasonable suspicion of fatty liver disease, it should be checked using imaging techniques such as ultrasound. A biopsy, i.e., taking a tissue sample, is rarely necessary.
To distinguish between alcoholic and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, doctors need to fully understand the individual’s alcohol consumption habits.
How Can Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Be Treated?
Alcoholic fatty liver disease can only be treated by abstaining from alcohol. Complete abstinence allows for full recovery.
If, in addition to fatty liver, alcohol addiction is diagnosed, it is essential to treat this condition as well.
Since high alcohol consumption often results in nutritional deficiencies, it is recommended to maintain a balanced and nutritious diet.
