Detoxing The Alcoholic Liver: ARLD Symptoms, Causes And Tips

Did you know that the liver is extremely resilient and capable of self-regeneration? But, unfortunately, some liver cells die every time the liver filters alcohol! Read on for more.

The liver, a complex organ, has many different functions. Some are filtering toxins from the blood, assisting digestion, regulating blood sugar and cholesterol levels, and aiding in the fight against infection and disease. In addition, the liver can regenerate new cells, but excessive alcohol consumption over time can reduce its ability to regenerate.

Alcohol-related liver disease is liver damage caused by severe alcohol intake. Due to rising levels of alcohol abuse, the number of people suffering from the condition has increased in recent decades. Alcohol damages the liver and causes fat buildup, inflammation and scarring. A liver detox plan is the best way to recover the damage caused and avoid further damage.  

Table Of Contents

1. ARLD And Its Symptoms

2. Stages Of ARLD

3. Causes Of ARLD

4. Will My Liver Heal If I Stop Drinking?

5. Tips To Cleanse The Liver From Alcohol Consumption

6. Dietitian’s Recommendations

7. The Final Say

8. FAQs

ARLD And Its Symptoms

The term alcohol-related liver disease (ARLD) describes liver damage caused by on by excessive alcohol consumption. There are various degrees of severity and several related symptoms.

ARLD rarely shows symptoms until the liver has been severely damaged. When this occurs, the following symptoms may occur:

• Feeling sick

• Weight loss

• Appetite loss

• Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)

• Ankle and stomach swelling

• Drowsiness or confusion

• You may vomit blood or pass blood in your stools.

As a result, ARLD is frequently detected during tests for other conditions or at an advanced stage of liver damage. Therefore, if you regularly consume excessive amounts of alcohol, notify your doctor so that your liver can be examined. You might have abnormal weight loss or weight gain, which should also be addressed. 

Stages Of Alcohol-Related Liver Disease (ARLD)

ARLD is divided into three stages, though frequent overlap exists. 

1. Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Binge drinking causes a fat buildup in the liver. This is the first stage of ARLD and is known as alcoholic fatty liver disease. Although fatty liver disease rarely causes symptoms, it is an important warning sign that you are drinking excessively. It is reversible, and if you abstain from alcohol for an extended duration, your liver can return to normal.

2. Alcoholic Hepatitis

This potentially fatal condition, in severe cases, is caused by chronic alcohol abuse. Alcoholic hepatitis can occur less frequently if you consume vast amounts of alcohol for a short duration (binge). If you stop drinking for good, the liver damage caused by mild alcoholic hepatitis is usually reversible.

3. Cirrhosis

Cirrhosis is a stage of ARLD in which the liver has become severely scarred. Even at this stage, there may be no visible symptoms. Although it is generally irreversible, discontinuing alcohol consumption instantly prevents further liver deterioration and significantly up your life expectancy.

Causes Of Alcohol-Related Liver Disease (ARLD)

Alcoholic liver disease develops after years of heavy drinking. Scarring and cirrhosis can develop over time. The final stage of alcoholic liver disease is cirrhosis. The longer you drink and the more alcohol you consume, the more likely you are to develop liver disease. 

The disease is most common in people aged 40 to 50. Men are more likely to suffer from this condition. Women, on the other hand, may develop the disease after consuming less alcohol than men. Some people may be predisposed to the disease.

Will My Liver Heal If I Stop Drinking?

The extent of the damage determines your liver's ability to repair itself after alcohol damage. Because the liver is so strong, alcoholic fatty liver disease can reverse if you cut back on your drinking. After your liver has returned to normal, you may be able to drink moderately. Monitoring your liver's health and avoiding putting it under stress is crucial.

Alcoholic hepatitis is usually reversible, depending on how far the disease has progressed. Both fatty liver disease and alcoholic hepatitis are reversible if you stop drinking and give your liver time to heal. Quitting drinking and, in some cases, taking medication may aid in the recovery of your liver by reducing inflammation. Heavy drinkers that are in the early levels of liver damage may still be able to recover.

Tips To Cleanse Your Liver From Alcohol consumption

1. Stop Drinking

The first and most crucial action you should take if your liver is deemed unhealthy is to stop drinking. We advise you to get assistance from an alcohol detox facility if you are experiencing unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.

2. Make Healthy Lifestyle Changes

Thus, quitting smoking and keeping a healthy weight are required. Obesity, along with alcoholism, is a leading cause of liver disease, and cigarettes contain toxins that aggravate liver damage.

3. Watch What You Eat

The most effective approach to eliminating alcohol from your system is through food. The toxins in alcohol can lead to low blood sugar and even crashes. Gradually increase your intake of vitamin D-rich meats and other foods. Avoid processed foods, sugars and saturated fat. 

4. Get Your Workout On

Sweating and breathing deeper will help you release toxins naturally, and getting more oxygen will help your liver filter out toxins more efficiently. We recommend taking a short walk outside or engaging in low-impact workouts such as a yoga practice with lots of twists. Regular exercise boosts the immune system and lowers the risk of developing liver cancer.

5. Keep An Eye On Your Medications

Even over-the-counter medications, such as acetaminophen, can harm the liver if taken in excess.

6. Do Not Let Unnecessary Toxins In 

The liver can be kept healthy by avoiding other substances like narcotics and abused prescription medications. This entails adopting additional safety measures, such as donning a mask, when working with aerosol sprays, spray paints, insecticides, and other sprayed chemicals. Be aware of the chemicals that may come into contact with your skin.

7. Get Some Sleep

While sleeping late will not physically flush alcohol from your system. It will help you get your body back to normal. Because alcohol causes restless sleep or a lack of sleep, you could use the time to catch up.

8. Drink Lots Of Fluids

This is self-evident. Alcohol is known to dehydrate you, which can cause a headache and make you feel drowsy in the morning. Drink lots of water. Try electrolyte-packed liver detox drinks and smoothies. Consume green to relieve nausea and dizziness, and to help the alcohol metabolism, add ginger or something with fructose.

9. Maintain regular checkups 

Seeing your doctor regularly can assist your doctor in detecting and treating any underlying health conditions. Furthermore, if you are experiencing early signs of alcohol-related liver disease, see your doctor immediately. Detoxing will not necessarily remove all toxins from your body immediately, but it will aid in the removal of alcohol. 

Dietitian’s Recommendations

Alcohol-related liver disease is one of the leading causes of acute illness worldwide. The most effective way to stop this is to stop drinking alcohol and focus on adopting good lifestyle habits and having a well-balanced, healthy, nutritious diet that provides all the necessary nutrients required for healing. Also, a good fitness routine should be part of the daily routine. 

-Dietician Lavina Chauhan

The Final Say

Quitting drinking can be beneficial. You can recover from malnutrition by altering your diet and taking supplements. However, if you or someone around you drinks excessively, it's not too late to change your lifestyle. Consult your doctor if you believe you have a drinking problem or are at risk of developing liver disease. They can refer you to programmes that can help you quit drinking and improve liver health.

FAQs

1. Why does alcohol addiction significantly impact the liver more than other body organs?

The liver sustains the most harm because it is the primary organ responsible for processing alcohol and eliminating it from your body. In addition, regular drinking triggers molecules that cause your liver to store fat in cells rather than burn it off. This can be hazardous. This fat buildup causes inflammation, which ultimately results in a damaged liver.

2. How long does the liver need to recover? Can it self-heal?

Some conditions are reversible, but the cirrhosis scars on the liver will not disappear on their own. The amount of time the liver needs to heal is mainly influenced by how much alcohol is consumed. A heavy drinker's liver may take months or even years to return to its pre-alcoholic condition.

3. How much alcohol can cause liver damage?

Binge drinking causes the accumulation of substances responsible for alcoholic liver damage. Doctors believe this is particularly true for people with other liver disease risk factors, such as obesity. Alcohol of any strength puts the liver through work and can cause scarring.

4. Which vitamins assist liver repair?

Vitamins D, E, C, and B are essential for the liver's health. Through a balanced diet, people should frequently take these vitamins.

5. Does lemon water detox your liver?

Lemon is one of the many citrus fruits that can be added to water to activate and cleanse the liver. Every day, consume 4-6 tablespoons of lemon juice diluted in water to aid liver function.

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