Flushing Hospital Medical Center: Alcohol-Related Liver Disease

Press release from Flushing Hospital Medical Center:

September 14, 2021

Excessive drinking of alcohol is classified as more than eight alcoholic drinks per day in women and more than 15 in men.  Consuming alcohol heavily over an extended period can result in the development of alcohol-related liver disease (ARLD).

ARLD causes damage and inflammation of the liver and can potentially lead to liver failure.

There are three types of alcohol-related liver disease, each categorized by stages. They include:

If you are believed to have alcoholic-related liver disease, your doctor may assess your history of alcohol consumption, order blood and imaging tests to rule out other liver diseases or request a liver biopsy to determine a diagnosis.

Treatment for alcoholic-related liver disease is based on severity. The first thing your doctor will aim to do is help you to stop drinking.  Abstinence will help to prevent further liver damage and promote healing.  It is common for patients with ARLD to have some degree of malnutrition, as a result, your doctor may recommend that you see a nutritionist. Medications may also be added to your care plan to reduce liver inflammation. In severe cases of ARLD, where there is advanced cirrhosis, treatment can include liver transplantation.

To schedule an appointment with an alcohol addiction specialist at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, please call (718) 670-5078.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

This press release was produced by Flushing Hospital Medical Center. The views expressed here are the author’s own.