How Long Does Alcohol Inflammation Last? Reversing Liver and Gut Damage

If you or someone you care about is struggling with alcohol use, you know it can take a toll on your body. Many experience bloating and fatigue long after alcohol consumption.

Unfortunately, this isn’t a simple hangover. It’s a sign that you’re experiencing alcohol inflammation.

What is alcohol inflammation? How long does it last, and can you reverse its effects? In this article, you’ll find out what’s happening to your body and learn how to regain your health.

What Is Alcohol Inflammation?

Alcohol-induced inflammation is the body’s response to excessive alcohol consumption. It happens when alcohol and its byproducts trigger your inflammatory response.

There are two main types of alcohol inflammation.

Acute Inflammation: Acute inflammation is a short-term, immediate response to drinking alcohol. You may experience nausea and bloating that resolve within a few days.
Chronic Inflammation: Chronic inflammation is a persistent inflammatory state caused by tissue damage. It’s a sign that the alcohol has affected your immune system and other organs.

What Does Alcohol Inflammation Look Like?

Inflammation from alcohol use can manifest in many ways. When you drink large amounts of alcohol, your liver converts it into acetaldehyde – a toxic chemical. This damages your gut lining, allowing the toxins to enter your bloodstream, affecting different parts of the body.

Below are just some health issues due to alcohol-related inflammation.

Alcohol-Related Liver Disease: Alcohol can cause liver damage, leading to fatty liver disease, alcoholic hepatitis, and cirrhosis. Liver inflammation may appear as jaundice, swelling of the ankles, and loss of appetite.
Pancreatitis: Alcoholic pancreatitis is a serious condition that causes upper abdominal pain and vomiting. Damage to the pancreas can also limit your ability to make digestive enzymes and hormones.
Cardiovascular Diseases: Alcohol abuse can increase your blood pressure and weaken your heart. It can lead to heart diseases like cardiomyopathy.
Gastrointestinal Tract Issues: Alcoholic gastritis happens when heavy drinking causes tissue damage to your stomach lining. Symptoms include stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting.
Immune Cells Weakening: A high alcohol intake may weaken your immune system and affect your gut health and gut microbiome. It makes you more vulnerable to infections like pneumonia and tuberculosis.
Brain Damage: Lastly, drinking alcohol causes neuroinflammation, a disruption between your neurons. It slows your brain activity and can affect your mental health.

How Long Does Alcohol Inflammation Last?

The effects of alcohol inflammation can last anywhere from a few days to a few years.

Acute inflammation should resolve on its own as your body processes the alcohol. Meanwhile, chronic inflammation takes months and years to heal.

Factors that affect the duration include age, obesity, lifestyle, and overall health condition.

For chronic inflammation, as long as you continue heavy drinking, you may experience a persistent inflammatory response. It’s crucial to seek medical help for a suitable treatment plan.

Can You Reverse Alcohol-Related Liver and Gut Damage?

Whether you can reverse the liver and gut damage depends on personal factors. If you’re in the early stages, stopping alcohol consumption and improving your lifestyle can reverse the damage.

On the other hand, if you’ve developed cirrhosis and scarring, it may not be possible to reverse the damage.

That said, you can prevent further damage once you stop drinking. You’ll be surprised by the liver and gut’s ability to regenerate.

8 Tips to Reduce Liver and Gut Damage Due to Alcohol Consumption

When you’re struggling with alcohol addiction, the liver and gut are often the first to become affected. The good news is that the effects can be reversed in the early stages.

Here are some tips to reduce liver and gut damage due to alcoholic drinks.

1. Consult a Healthcare Professional

First, it always helps to ask a professional for help.

A doctor can evaluate your gut and liver health and identify the inflammatory effects. They can conduct liver enzyme tests and perform ultrasounds.

Additionally, doctors can recommend the best treatment plan based on your circumstances. You can receive treatment for any complications for your overall health.

2. Stop Binge Drinking

Quitting drinking may sound simple, but in reality, it’s a difficult process. If you’re drinking large amounts of alcohol every day, there’s a chance you’ve developed an addiction.

Recovering from alcohol addiction can be dangerous without the proper medical help. You may experience withdrawal symptoms like tremors, anxiety, and even seizures.

However, you don’t have to go through the whole process alone. It’s possible to receive alcoholism treatments for long-term sobriety.

3. Stay Hydrated

Staying hydrated is one of the easiest lifestyle changes you can adapt to.

Dehydration can interfere with your natural detoxification pathways. In short, it can make things more difficult for your liver. Meanwhile, drinking water allows your liver to function at its best.

4. Eat the Right Food

Diet can have a major impact on your liver and gut health. To stay ahead, it’s best to eat a mix of foods that support your liver function.

Examples of good food include wholegrains, nuts, vegetables, lean meat, and fish. Avoid processed food and sugary drinks, which can contribute to liver damage.

5. Check Your Nutrient Intake

Taking vitamins prescribed by your doctor is essential to restoring your liver function. You may be given vitamins for nerve problems, nutritional problems, and low blood count.

B-complex vitamins are especially good for liver damage. A vitamin D deficiency is also common in people with liver disease, and you may be given a supplement.

6. Prioritize Your Sleep

Studies show that sleep has a direct effect on the liver and gut. Your glucose homeostasis, metabolism, and nutrient absorption are all related to your sleep schedule.

Therefore, prioritizing your sleep has the potential to lessen inflammation in your gut and liver.

7. Exercise and Limit Weight Gain

Exercising is incredibly beneficial for those with liver damage. That’s because physical activity can improve your blood flow, decrease liver inflammation, and reduce your body fat.

Losing just 7% of your body fat can improve liver scarring. Not only that, it can also lower elevated pressures in those with cirrhosis.

You don’t have to do much. Just 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise a week can make a significant difference!

8. Monitor Your Health

Last but not least, be sure to monitor your health regularly.

You can ask your doctor to do liver function tests, ultrasounds, and blood tests. These can help you detect and prevent permanent liver and gut damage.

Alcohol Addiction Treatment – How We Can Help

Alcohol-related inflammation can be a life-changing health problem, and quitting alcohol is the best thing you can do. To prevent various medical conditions, it’s vital to seek help as early as possible.

Mid Hudson Addiction Recovery is here to help.

Here’s what you can expect from our treatment facility.

1. Medication-Assisted Detox

Mid Hudson Addiction Recovery uses medication-assisted treatment. It’s a treatment method that can ease your symptoms and lessen your cravings.

You’ll be monitored by healthcare professionals throughout your detox for your safety and comfort.

2. Specialized Programs

The process of recovering from alcohol addiction can vary from person to person. Your experiences, health condition, budget, and demographics all come into play.

Mid Hudson Addiction Recovery understands your circumstances. Because of this, we always tailor treatment programs to suit our patients’ needs.

We offer programs for men and women who are struggling with different substances.

3. Evidence-Based Therapies

Our facility is fully equipped to heal your mind through evidence-based therapies. Some of our services include the following.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: CBT helps patients cope with anxiety and depression that come with alcohol addiction. It can change your outlook on life and equip you with the tools you need to recover.
Group Therapy: Group therapy gives you a safe space where you can share your thoughts. Here, you can learn from others with the same experiences.
Recovery Coaching: Recovery coaching allows you to discuss your opinions with an unbiased professional. You’ll receive advice that can help you make smarter, healthier choices.

4. World-Class Care

Get world-class care as part of our inpatient program. In this program, you’ll stay in a peaceful facility that’s beneficial to your healing.

You’ll get healthy meals each day and do recreational activities to enrich your mind and body. Here, you can be free from your stressors as you learn how to change your life for the better.

5. Continuous Support

Lastly, our care doesn’t end once you graduate from the program.

Mid Hudson Addiction Recovery offers continuous support, transitional living, and 12-step programs. You can ask us for medical advice anytime and receive medication to prevent a relapse.

Rest assured, we’re here to help you overcome alcohol use disorder for good.

Conclusion

Alcohol inflammation is a health condition that can last for a few days in mild cases, and a few years in advanced cases. It can affect your immune response and cause bloating, heart disease, fat buildup, and liver damage.

Fortunately, you can reverse alcohol-caused inflammation once you stop drinking.

We’re here to help.

Mid Hudson Addiction Recovery is a top alcoholism treatment center in New York. We have support programs and evidence-based treatments that’ll allow you to overcome alcohol addiction.

If you’re ready to make positive changes to your life, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us today!