Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) happens when long-term heavy drinking damages liver cells. Over time, this damage progresses through three stages: fatty liver (steatosis), alcoholic hepatitis (inflammation), and cirrhosis (scarring). Early detection and treatment can help prevent serious complications.
Symptoms may be mild or absent at first, but as ALD advances you may notice:
Alcoholic liver disease is primarily driven by excessive alcohol intake, with other factors raising the risk:
If you're ready to take control of your liver health, our Katy team at GastroDoxs is here to support you every step of the way. Early intervention can halt progression and even reverse damage in the first two stages of Alcoholic Liver Disease.
Call us at 832-632-4070 or book online now to schedule your personalized consultation. Let's work together on a treatment plan tailored to your needs-because your liver can't wait.
We've successfully treated more than 927 patients, helping individuals improve their digestive health and overall well-being through expert, personalized care.
With over 20 years of experience, GastroDoxs has been a trusted provider of gastroenterology care, focusing on delivering the best outcomes for patients
Dr. Bharat Pothuri is a Board-Certified Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist. With extensive experience in digestive health, he specializes in advanced endoscopic procedures, chronic GI disorder management, and preventive care. Dr. Pothuri is dedicated to providing expert, patient-focused insights to help improve gut health and overall well-being.
ALD is diagnosed using blood tests (including AST and ALT levels and their ratio), imaging studies like ultrasound or CT, and, when needed, a liver biopsy to assess the extent of damage.
Yes-particularly in the early stages of fatty liver and hepatitis. Stopping alcohol intake and adopting a nutritious diet can allow the liver to heal and regain function.
A liver-friendly diet emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins (fish, poultry, legumes), and healthy fats, while limiting processed foods, added sugars, and saturated fats.
A high AST/ALT ratio (often greater than 2) typically indicates alcohol-related liver injury, as AST levels rise disproportionately compared to ALT in ALD.
The NAFLD fibrosis score combines age, blood test results, and other factors to estimate the degree of liver scarring, helping identify patients at risk for advanced fibrosis in mixed-cause liver disease.
Alcoholic Liver Disease is classified under ICD-10 codes K70.0 through K70.9, covering fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and unspecified alcoholic liver disease.
Educational images and photos of alcoholic liver disease-showing changes from fatty infiltration to scarring-are available on our GastroDoxs website.
ALD progresses in three stages: 1) Fatty liver (steatosis), 2) Alcoholic hepatitis (inflammation), and 3) Cirrhosis (permanent scarring and impaired function).
End-stage ALD can cause severe ascites, jaundice, bleeding issues, hepatic encephalopathy (mental confusion), and liver failure. A transplant may be necessary for survival.
To see an ALD specialist, call or book online at GastroDoxs in Katy. Our team offers personalized testing, treatment plans, monitoring, and transplant referrals when needed.
