Which liver condition commonly results from excessive alcohol consumption?

Cirrhosis is a chronic liver condition that commonly arises from excessive alcohol consumption, among other causes. The liver processes alcohol, and when intake is excessive, it can lead to a series of changes in liver structure and function. Initially, the liver may develop fatty liver (steatosis), where fat accumulates in liver cells. If the alcohol consumption continues, it can progress to alcoholic hepatitis, which is an inflammatory response in the liver. Over time, chronic inflammation and repeated injury can result in the development of scar tissue, or fibrosis, which leads to cirrhosis.

Cirrhosis is particularly concerning because it often indicates a significant degree of liver damage and can lead to complications such as liver failure and portal hypertension. The defining factor here is that cirrhosis signifies irreversible damage that has accumulated over time due to the sustained impact of alcohol, making it a direct outcome of chronic and excessive alcohol use.

While fatty liver and acute hepatitis are important conditions related to alcohol consumption, cirrhosis reflects a more advanced stage of liver damage that develops after prolonged alcohol abuse. Glycogen storage disease, on the other hand, is a metabolic disorder and is unrelated to alcohol consumption.