Cirrhosis, Alcohol Use and

Cirrhosis is a chronic degenerative disease in which normal liver cells are damaged and replaced by scar tissue. Cirrhosis is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality worldwide. Common causes of cirrhosis include alcohol-related liver disease (ALD), hepatitis C, hepatitis B, and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. ALD is the most common cause of cirrhosis in the Western world, and ALD is currently one of the 10 most common causes of death. Thus, this entry focuses on the role of alcohol use in liver disease, liver transplant, and current treatments for alcohol use disorders among patients with liver disease.

Alcohol-Related Liver Disease

Alcohol damages the liver through complex biochemical, genetic, cellular, and immunological processes. Cirrhosis is the end state of chronic ALD and usually occurs after years of excessive drinking. Evidence ...

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