What exactly is cirrhosis of the liver?Cirrhosis is the term used to describe the destruction of normal liver tissue leaving behind non-functioning scar tissue. The most common cause of liver damage is alcohol abuse - that is to say a continued excessive intake of alcohol over a prolonged period of time.
Alcohol can cause three different types of damage to the liver: fat accumulation around the liver (fatty liver); inflammation of the liver; and scarring (cirrhosis).
I'm in my late 20s and have been drinking heavily since my teens. I would stop drinking if I thought I was doing myself any damage but I'm very well and have no symptoms of illness.
Cirrhosis is the third most common cause of death after heart disease and cancer among those aged 45-65. However, people with mild cirrhosis often have no obvious symptoms and can appear well for many years.
The amount of alcohol that causes liver damage varies considerably from person to person, but heavy drinkers typically develop symptoms during their 30s and then go on to develop severe cirrhosis in their 40s.
The fact that you do not as yet have symptoms does not mean you are not damaging your liver.
So, if I've already damaged my liver, then surely there's no point in stopping now?
Those with alcoholic liver disease who continue to drink run the risk of causing severe liver damage which may be progressive and even fatal.
The only effective treatment for liver damage is to stop drinking alcohol completely.
If, however, you have incurred liver damage but stop drinking now, then the liver may have an opportunity to repair itself to a certain extent thereby minimising the long-term effects.
Giving up alcohol is far from easy but that does not mean it's not worth doing.
Make sure you have plenty of support both from your family and friends and from organisations such as AA.