One of the worst parts about alcohol abuse is the physical effects on your body. Depending on how long a person suffered from alcohol addiction, there could be severe damage to the liver. However, leaders in addiction help in Topeka want you to know that physical damage might not be permanent.
At Gold Bridge Treatment Center, a leading addiction treatment center in Topeka, we want you to know that not all damage to your body will be permanent. Many people don’t know this, but the liver is naturally regenerative.
Can Your Liver Heal Itself?
The liver is the only regenerative organ in your body, which means it’s the only organ that can regrow. If you had a portion of your liver removed, it could still grow back to full size. Your liver is your body’s primary filtration organ, meaning it can come into contact with many toxins and harmful chemicals. Its main job is to rid the body of these harmful toxins, so it needs to regenerate itself to keep us healthy.
Should You Be Concerned About Your Liver After Getting Alcohol Addiction Help in Topeka?
The liver is one of the first things people recovering from alcohol addiction get examined. It’s a pretty well-known fact that alcohol can cause liver damage, so, understandably, individuals in recovery can be concerned about theirs.
A trusted drug and alcohol inpatient treatment center in Topeka knows there is a risk of long-term damage to your liver. While the liver often regenerates itself, prolonged drinking can cause liver damage or disease.
While some of these diseases can cause damage to the body, you can reverse some of the effects of alcohol abuse. Drinking plenty of water and refraining from alcohol is a great place to start. You should also eat a liver-friendly diet.
What Diseases Can You be at Risk for?
Sometimes, too much drinking can cause permanent damage to your body, leaving you with a chronic illness to manage. But, as scary as that might sound, it doesn’t necessarily mean your life will be shorter. Medical advancements have made it possible to manage and live a healthy life with damage to the liver. However, you should be aware of some of the illnesses alcohol addiction can cause.
- Cirrhosis
- Liver Fibrosis
- Fatty Liver
- Hepatitis
Cirrhosis
This is one of the most common liver diseases and one of the most concerning. It can cause liver scarring that prevents the organ from doing its job, causing toxins to build up in your body. This illness is always caused by another liver disorder, whether it be liver cancer, liver fibrosis, or hepatitis. Noticeable blood capillaries, weight loss, red or blotchy palms, pain, and tenderness near the liver are common symptoms of cirrhosis.
Liver Fibrosis
Liver fibrosis is what medical professionals refer to as the beginning of permanent damage. Fibrosis causes scarring, leaving your liver working improperly. In some cases, the liver cells don’t work at all. Treatment centers in Topeka want you to know that early fibrosis won’t show any physical symptoms most of the time. However, this illness can eventually lead to problems like cirrhosis.
Fatty Liver
This illness is also known as “hepatic steatosis” and is the most common liver disease. This illness occurs when there is too much fat build-up in the liver. Individuals with this illness are at a higher risk for cancer and can eventually develop cirrhosis.
Hepatitis
This is one of the most common liver diseases; it slowly causes the liver to break down over time. This illness is usually a precursor to cirrhosis and indicates severe liver inflammation. Common symptoms of hepatitis are abdomen pain or swelling, easy bruising, easy bleeding, increased confusion, jaundice, and changes in appetite.
It’s important to seek immediate medical help if you believe you may have long-term damage to your liver.
Can You Heal from an Alcohol-Related Liver Illness?
Everybody is different, and there are a lot of factors that can influence your recovery. The progression and type of disease, weight, age, and overall health are all big influences on your body’s ability to recover. Your liver is constantly in a state of regeneration and begins to heal itself immediately after the alcohol is out of your system.
So, while there is no set answer, medical professionals believe that your body can heal from an alcohol-related liver illness. However, it’s important to remember that you won’t heal overnight, and the process could take several years.
Are You Looking for Addiction Help in Topeka?
If you or someone you love is battling substance abuse in Topeka, please reach out to our Gold Bridge Treatment Center staff. We are one of the most trusted addiction treatment center in Topeka and want to help you begin your journey to sobriety.
Our team of addiction help specialists strive daily to be the best substance abuse treatment center in Topeka. We specialize in helping individuals make changes for a happier healthier life. At Gold Bridge, we offer group counseling, individual counseling, and inpatient treatment services.
For more information give us a call at 913-837-4653 or you can contact us online. Our facility is just a short drive away, in Louisburg, KS.