Why Do Alcohlics Have Yellow Eyes? Alcohol, Cirrhosis, and Jaundice

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There exist certain associations with physical issues and alcohol abuse. Yellow eyes are one primary example. But why do alcoholics have yellow eyes? What can cause this? More importantly, is it something that you should be concerned about if you or a love one exhibits these symptoms? Let’s examine the relationship between alcoholism and yellow eyes as well as how it might pertain to liver issues that cause jaundice.

What Causes Yellow Eyes?

When our bodies break down red blood cells, there’s a byproduct of this process called bilirubin that’s produced. Most of the time, this is effectively processed by the liver and excreted by the body as waste. When the liver isn’t operating efficiently, it becomes difficult to get rid of all of the built-up bilirubin. This can then result in bilirubin build-up throughout the body, which produces a yellowish tinge in the eyes and skin called jaundice.

Jaundice is a symptom of many conditions. However, certain conditions associated with alcoholism like cirrhosis or liver disease and alcoholic hepatitis often cause jaundice.

How Alcohol Affects Liver Health

Alcohol, in moderation and consumed infrequently, is not much more of a threat to the liver than other compounds or chemicals. But when someone drinks frequently, it makes it hard to remove the alcohol from the bloodstream. While we don’t think of it as such, alcohol is poisonous. If we can’t remove the poison, it will have detrimental consequences on our bodies.

The organ that suffers the most from alcoholism is the liver. At first, the liver may just become fatty. This specific version of fatty liver disease is caused by alcoholism and results in fat build-up that indicates early issues. Next comes alcoholic hepatitis. As the liver becomes fattier and more scarred and inflamed, alcoholics begin to experience severe physical symptoms. The next stage in the progression is cirrhosis. Cirrhosis is late-stage liver disease, which can be too late to turn back from.

Symptoms like jaundice are a result of the body’s inability to filter the blood of dangerous compounds. As it gets worse, so too may the appearance of a jaundiced individual. Their health will be in jeopardy as well.

Other Symptoms of Alcohol-Related Liver Damage

Besides jaundice, there are a host of symptoms associated with alcohol-related liver damage. These include:

• Fatigue.
• Weakness.
• Abdominal pain and swelling (even despite weight loss).
• Changes in appetite and gastrointestinal issues.
• Changes to the sexual organs and processes.
• Confusion and similar problems with mental faculties.
• Nausea.

At worst, late-stage alcohol-related liver damage can cause internal bleeding or result in complete liver failure. Symptoms will depend entirely on how long one has been drinking and how their body has been coping with their drinking habits.

When to Seek Medical Help

Jaundice can often be one of the more troubling symptoms because it affects our appearance and may be far more noticeable to us. However, jaundice is an indication of much deeper problems that need to be addressed. If you’re jaundiced because of liver damage caused by drinking alcohol, it’s important that you seek medical help right away.

That being said, jaundice isn’t the only concerning symptom. Symptoms like throwing up blood or seeing blood in your stool, finding it difficult to move around on your own, or experiencing confusion and hallucinations can be signs that your liver damage has gotten to the point where you need to see a medical professional.

The earlier you see someone for these symptoms, the better your outlook may be. Once you get to the cirrhosis stage of liver damage caused by drinking alcohol, you could be dealing with irreversible liver damage that will require a liver transplant. Hope is still possible in any case. No matter where you are, reaching out for help and admitting that you’re struggling to avoid alcohol is a wonderful first step in healing both your body and your mind. It all begins with a call for help!

Treatment and Recovery

Liver damage cannot be halted until you stop drinking. Excessive alcohol consumption and heavy drinking are leading causes of alcoholic liver disease, which can lead to severe complications if left untreated. Putting an end to drinking through professional addiction treatment services will prevent further damage and, in some cases, may even allow the liver to heal over time, improving liver function.

But are treatment and recovery services good for those who have severe liver damage? Yes. Individuals with alcohol use disorder and advanced liver conditions, such as symptoms of alcoholic hepatitis, can benefit greatly from specialized care. Treatment centers provide detoxification services to safely wean patients off alcohol, addressing symptoms like ascites (fluid buildup in the abdomen), loss of appetite, or yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes (or sclera). Additionally, medical teams can manage complications related to damaged blood vessels and other effects of alcohol abuse.

More than that, treatment programs address both the physical and mental aspects of alcohol addiction. Alcoholism is not just a physical addiction—it involves emotional triggers and underlying issues. By working on your mental health and identifying the triggers that encourage you to drink, you can regain control over your life, improve your overall health, and begin to reverse the toll that alcohol causes on your body.

How Live Free Recovery Services Can Help

Live Free Recovery Services is your partner in helping you overcome your alcohol addiction. Our holistic approach to alcohol treatment guarantees that you have the medical support, mental health support, and even guidance on how to better your life through nutrition or meditation so that you can work toward a better tomorrow.

We offer 24/7 inpatient medical care, outpatient services, intensive outpatient programs, and partial hospitalization programs that will provide you with the long-term care you deserve. Whether you’re just getting started or you’re leveraging our outpatient services to continue therapy so that you feel less inclined to drink, we’re always here for you.

Start Your Healing Journey Today With Live Free Recovery Services!

Jaundice, or yellowing of the eyes, can be a side effect of drinking so heavily that your liver is negatively affected. The longer and the heavier you drink, the higher the likelihood that this symptom will appear. But if it does, there are things you can do to address the symptoms and improve your life through proper treatment options.

If you’re ready to take the next steps in your alcohol addiction recovery, including detoxification and participation in comprehensive treatment programs, give us a call at Live Free Recovery Services. Our treatment center is dedicated to helping you achieve long-lasting change and recovery. The journey begins here!