it is common knowledge that excessive alcohol consumption can result in serious liver damage. how does the disease develop?
first, it is not completely understood how alcohol damages the liver. researchers know that alcohol produces toxic chemicals which can damage liver cells, but don't know why this only occurs in a small percentage of people.
the stages of disease are well documented. first, alcoholism causes the development of large fat deposits throughout the liver and can cause liver enlargement. at this point strict abstinence can lead to a full recovery. second, scar tissue forms and causes liver fibrosis; recovery is possible, but the scar tissue will remain. amazingly, the liver has a tremendous ability to regenerate and even if up to 75% of the liver is damaged it will still function as normal. and finally, cirrhosis is the late stage of serious liver disease marked by inflammation, fibrosis and damaged membranes, ending in scarring and necrosis. the liver fails. this damage is irreversible.
be nice to your liver!
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