Alcoholic liver disease is liver damage caused by excessive alcohol intake. Alcoholic liver disease usually does not cause any symptoms until the liver is severely damaged. When the liver is severely damaged, the following symptoms may occur: nausea, bloating loss of weight loss of appetite yellowing of the eyes, skin, and urine (jaundice) edema of the ankles poor mental health or drowsiness vomiting blood or blood in the stool Further detailed tests are needed and your doctor should be informed of the specific alcohol consumption, including the type of alcohol consumed, how much, and how much per day. The liver is the most complex organ in the body and performs a number of functions: Filters toxins from the bloodstream Aids in the digestion of food Regulates blood sugar and cholesterol levels Helps fight infection and disease The liver has a powerful regenerative capacity and is able to regenerate itself. However, each time your liver filters out alcohol, some liver cells die. The liver can produce new cells, but prolonged alcohol abuse can reduce the liver’s ability to regenerate, which can lead to permanent liver damage. Complications of alcoholic liver disease Ruptured esophagogastric fundic varices Bleeding hepatic encephalopathy (toxic encephalopathy) Ascites combined with renal failure Liver cancer Reduced immunity and susceptibility to infection Treatment of alcohol-related liver disease There is no specific treatment for alcoholic liver disease; the main treatment is lifelong abstinence from alcohol, which reduces the risk of further liver damage and gives the liver the best chance of recovery. If alcohol is addictive, then abstinence can be very difficult and assistance can be obtained through the relevant authorities. If severe complications of cirrhosis occur, then only a liver transplant can be considered and lifelong abstinence from alcohol is mandatory while waiting for the transplant and after the transplant.