If you drink alcohol frequently and have recently noticed your stomach growing firmer or rounder, it may be more than routine bloating. Medical experts warn that chronic alcohol intake can begin harming the liver much earlier than most people realise, often progressing silently until severe symptoms appear. A recent explainer by Dr Kunal Sood, an anaesthesiologist and interventional pain specialist, describes how alcohol triggers toxic reactions inside the body and outlines the stages of alcohol-related liver damage.
In a video shared on November 22, Dr Sood explains that the liver breaks alcohol down into acetaldehyde—a harmful compound capable of injuring healthy liver cells. When drinking becomes habitual, the liver cannot keep up with repeated exposure, leading to cellular inflammation, scarring, and eventually irreversible damage. He emphasises that even mild abdominal bulging may sometimes reflect changes occurring deep within the liver.
According to Dr Sood, the earliest stage of alcohol-related liver injury is fatty liver, where fat begins accumulating inside liver cells. Without reducing alcohol intake, this phase can advance to alcoholic hepatitis, a condition marked by inflammation and liver stress. If drinking continues over time, scarring becomes more prominent and may progress to cirrhosis, significantly impairing the liver’s ability to function normally.
In advanced stages, complications such as ascites—abnormal fluid buildup in the abdomen—may appear. This causes a noticeably swollen or distended belly and signals severe liver dysfunction. Dr Sood warns that ascites is a medical emergency and typically indicates high pressure in blood vessels surrounding the liver due to cirrhosis, forcing fluid into the abdominal cavity.
While online health information can be helpful, Dr Sood advises viewers to seek professional evaluation for symptoms linked to alcohol use, stressing that early detection plays a major role in preventing long-term damage.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not substitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.
