Experiences with

Alcohol-related liver disease (ARLD)

Symptoms of alcohol-related liver disease (ARLD)

ARLD does not usually cause any symptoms until the liver has been severely damaged.

When this happens, symptoms can include:

  • feeling sick
  • weight loss
  • loss of appetite
  • yellowing of the whites of the eyes or skin (jaundice)
  • swelling in the ankles and tummy
  • confusion or drowsiness
  • vomiting blood or passing blood in your stools

This means ARLD is frequently diagnosed during tests for other conditions, or at a stage of advanced liver damage.

If you regularly drink alcohol to excess, tell your GP so they can check if your liver is damaged.

Treating alcohol-related liver disease (ARLD)

There's currently no specific medical treatment for ARLD. The main treatment is to stop drinking, preferably for the rest of your life.

This reduces the risk of further damage to your liver and gives it the best chance of recovering.

If a person is dependent on alcohol, stopping drinking can be very difficult.

But support, advice and medical treatment may be available through local alcohol addiction support services.

A liver transplant may be required in severe cases where the liver has stopped functioning and does not improve when you stop drinking alcohol.

You'll only be considered for a liver transplant if you have developed complications of cirrhosis despite having stopped drinking.

All liver transplant units require people with ARLD to not drink alcohol while awaiting the transplant, and for the rest of their life.

Preventing alcohol-related liver disease (ARLD)

The most effective way to prevent ARLD is to stop drinking alcohol or stick to the recommended limits:

  • men and women are advised not to regularly drink more than 14 units a week
  • spread your drinking over 3 days or more if you drink as much as 14 units a week
  • if you want to cut down, try to have several drink-free days each week

A unit of alcohol is equal to about half a pint of normal-strength lager or a pub measure (25ml) of spirits.

Even if you have been a heavy drinker for many years, reducing or stopping your alcohol intake will have important short-term and long-term benefits for your liver and overall health.

There are no symptoms of alcohol-related liver disease at first. Symptoms like weight loss and swollen ankles may appear later on.

Stopping drinking can help improve alcohol-related liver disease. A liver transplant may be needed if the damage to the liver is severe.

The best way to prevent alcohol-related liver disease is to stop drinking alcohol or stick to the alcohol limits recommended by the NHS.

Related links

Alcohol-related liver disease

Symptoms

Causes

Diagnosis

Treatment

Complications

HealthUnlocked contains information from NHS Digital, licensed under the current version of the Open Government Licence

41,301 public posts

fatty liver /fibrosis

how many people have reversed the fatty liver and fibrosis as well? If you reverse the fatty liver will the fibrosis reduce as well?
Realy profile image

given up

Drs refusing to admit there’s any need for further B12 injections. So had my loading doses in October and I’m “wishing the reference ranges” Had another telephone conversation with a different doctor and she was reading from the same script. “Take supplements until October then we’ll retest” They
Bumblebee02 profile image

Advice Appreciated

Hi all, it 3 weeks since I came off Spironolactone as my liver specialist asked me to do so as after 6 month checks they believed my results showed I was in a good enough place to do so. I’ve gained 8 pounds in 3 weeks which from what I can see online isn’t classed as rapid but the last few days I’ve
Audiking profile image
Want to take advantage of all our features? Just log in!
or

Decompensated Cirrhosis

Hi, sorry if this is a bit long winded I am just looking for some support and guidance. My uncle (61) was diagnosed with decompensated cirrhosis at the beginning of feb, this was through an A&E admission as he had considerable ascites. He was in for 6 days and sent home with spironolactone, thiamine
JenClarkey profile image

fatty liver

does anyone know the average size of a liver for a woman who’s 50. I’ve been told that mine is 12.5 which indicates fatty liver. 12 months ago my liver was normal. I stopped drinking and now it’s fatty. I’m so confused and having no support. Some advise say no dairy then others say it’s ok
Bettina2023 profile image

ELF score 8.3

I have had several elastography tests, the last one the same week as I took ELF test. It was 4.8kpa, but ELF test shows moderate fibrosis (8.3). Its seems ELF test is more accurate, because on this forum I have found several people who feel smth is wrong with their liver that have normal elastography
Linakes profile image

raised alkaline phosphate

I have a decompromised liver waiting for transplant they are just waiting for me to get stronger ie bloods, I’m doing everything the consultant is asking and on an NG tube, why is my alkaline phosphate keep raising I’m over the normal by loads?
Harriet-sarah profile image

Alcoholic fatty liver

I've been diagnosed with alcoholic fatty liver but is it normal to have chronic pain under the right side of your ribs which goes through to your back I never got an answer out of my GP
Mariobrother profile image

liver

I have been diagnosed with fatty liver. Does this mean u have fatty liver disease
Bettina2023 profile image

Finally got a diagnosis in writing

HiFinally got a diagnosis in plain medical language, not 'on the cusp of cirrhosis' or a broad statement of steatosis. Liver stiffness of 8.8 kpa Cap of 329...This demonstrates F2 fibrosis and fatty liver disease. Mr R is aware of the lifestyle modifications...to address the quantity of fat situated
Iro1 profile image

Friend has high LFTs

Hi, My friend has high AST (150), ALT (115) and GGT (415). Thry have high blood pressure too. They've stopped drinking alcohol but are now terrified to go to the doctor and get scan results and want to ignore it. Will this definitely be bad news?
ARM8 profile image

Spironolactone and breast tenderness n growth in men

I am have now got very tender breast and had checked by my gp. He confirmed the enlargement (not massive so far) and informed me it's one of the side effects of spironolactone buy could also be caused due to cirrhosis itself. He couldn't direct me to reduce or stop the medication but to wait.for my next
Male47 profile image

Trying to process

Hi All, I'm new here and from New Zealand. I'm 44 years old and for the last 4 years have been drinking 60-70 units of alcohol (neat Vodka) in some weeks (about 14 units a night, with 6-8 weeks alcohol free in a year interspersed) I had a drinking problem before that from age 26 but not nearly as
Worried999 profile image

Still no symptoms

Hi Nearly a year since being told I had decompensated cirrhosis, sadly I've not been able to stop the drinking but have given up the opiates. Still doing my best to pack in the drink but it's hard. cold turkey for opiates is so easy compared to alcohol. I still want my drugs but I can tell myself no
thelad73 profile image

Widrawld

I was alcohol and kpa scor in 9kpa and elastography shows fatty liver grade 1 just before. I also done utraoundi and it shows gate i fatty liver.But the problem is during these period i have been taking altivan 2mg and some torerance and with withdrawal starts. Can any one help me out??
Jhon789 profile image

One year on

Thought I’d give a little update on my ARLD journey. After 1 year of initial Fibroscan results which were CAP score 316 and 28.9 kpa elastography score, which shattered my world as it wasn’t expected. My latest results after abstaining from alcohol, which I may say has been oh-so difficult after
Paul120222 profile image

update on hubby 4

He continues to make slow improvements. Good days then bad days. He has been confused at times but that is improving slowly too. He is able to walk into the kitchen and bathroom using his walker. Eating small meals and generally more conversational. I saw my GP and he stated that my husband is still
Tucobear profile image

Hello, new here!! I'm Taz in Scotland

Hello, last year I was diagnosed with serious liver disease, I was drinking myself unconscious every day for 26 years, I'm currently 42 year's old, last August I was admitted to hospital with my liver condition, yellow skin, swollen legs, fluid retention, drained and was discharged a week or so later
Tazzyguy1 profile image

inclisiran and NAFLD

inclisiran I have been offered this injection but my liver is extremely fatty as seen in FibroScan but no fibrosis (3 years ago). Does anyone know if this can increase fat in liver - I have been told different things by different doctors/lipid consultant . Fat want to have it if it is going to mess
Pitt12345 profile image

Decompensated liver

Hi my husband was diagnosed with decompensated liver in October 22, he's abstained from alcohol, has lost 3 stone,and looks and feels well!Past few days he's noticed his feet swelling again, it's hard to put his shoes on! He's on spironolactone 100mg everyday with 20mg furosemide in morning and 40mg
Tulip1973 profile image
Filter results
Posted in
Sort by