Healing can begin as early as a few days to weeks after you stop drinking, but if the damage is severe, healing can take several months. In some cases, “if the damage to the liver has been long-term, it may not be reversible,” warns Dr. Stein.
It typically takes seven days for the liver to detox but a couple of months for the symptoms to eventually disappear. Alcohol abuse patients are recommended to enrol in medically-assisted alcohol liver detox to manage symptoms accordingly.
The liver is very resilient and capable of regenerating itself. Each time your liver filters alcohol, some of the liver cells die. The liver can develop new cells, but prolonged alcohol misuse (drinking too much) over many years can reduce its ability to regenerate.
Here are some of the most common signs that you may be developing liver problems. A general unwell feeling. An underperforming liver can't filter toxins out of the bloodstream, resulting in fatigue, headaches and skin problems. Frequent gassy sensation.
Drinking a large amount of water is essential for your liver's detoxification. It removes the toxins and flushes the liver tissues. A great tip for drinking water is to add a pinch of lemon drops in it. Which stimulates bile to remove toxins and gallbladder contractions as well.
Lemon Water
Many citrus fruits, including lemon, can be added to water to help stimulate and flush out the liver. To help improve liver function, enjoy 4-6 tablespoons of lemon juice mixed with water each day.
After two weeks off alcohol, you will continue to reap the benefits of better sleep and hydration. As alcohol is an irritant to the stomach lining, after a fortnight you will also see a reduction in symptoms such as reflux where the stomach acid burns your throat.
Although positive changes may appear earlier, 3 months of not drinking can not only improve your mood, energy, sleep, weight, skin health, immune health, and heart health. It can even reduce your risk of cancer.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Incredible detoxification actions of ACV work to flush out the harmful toxins from the liver that hinders its normal functions. Studies discloses that regular intake of ACV promotes weight loss, diminishes cholesterol levels, lessen inflammation, and uplift the overall health of the liver.
Foods that support liver health include berries, cruciferous vegetables, beans, whole grains, nuts, and fatty fish. Coffee and green tea contain antioxidants that are helpful for liver health.
Generally, symptoms of alcoholic liver disease include abdominal pain and tenderness, dry mouth and increased thirst, fatigue, jaundice (which is yellowing of the skin), loss of appetite, and nausea. Your skin may look abnormally dark or light. Your feet or hands may look red.
It processes various nutrients and helps to reduce waste. The main point of a liver cleanse is to improve the function of your liver by giving it a break and letting it operate optimally.
For instance, the liver is at its peak detox stage between 1 and 3 am. You should sleep by midnight so that your liver could focus on its cleansing function. Additionally, your lungs are most actively cleansing themselves between 3 and 5 am.
In addition, turmeric also aids bile production, which supports the liver detoxification process and prevents fat build-up in the body while restoring liver function. Therefore, turmeric one of the most popular herbal remedies for fatty liver treatment.
"While coffee consumption was associated with a lower risk of elevated liver stiffness, this didn't include fatty liver disease, or steatosis," said Tapper. "Overall, our findings showed that if coffee has an effect on the liver, it is likely by reducing fibrosis, or scar tissue."
A good general rule of thumb is to aim for 4 liters of water per day. Stay away from carbonated water or water in plastic beverage containers.
Basically, the less hydrated you are, the less efficient your liver is at filtering out toxins like alcohol or chemicals. Making sure to drink your water after waking up, before eating a meal, before and after physical activity and before bed can ensure your liver has what it needs to function properly.
Pain in your liver itself can feel like a dull throbbing pain or a stabbing sensation in your right upper abdomen just under your ribs. General abdominal pain and discomfort can also be related to swelling from fluid retention and enlargement of your spleen and liver caused by cirrhosis.