Decreased salivation rate may become more apparent as alcohol-related liver disease progresses.
Liver scarring occurs mainly in patients with chronic liver disease, but any condition that damages the organ can lead to cirrhosis. As a rule, those who abuse alcohol are more prone to these complications. As the liver begins to scar, changes in salivation may become more apparent.
Alcoholic cirrhosis is an accumulation of scar tissue in the liver that can cause a cascade of symptoms.
The amount of fat present can vary at this stage, but it is a clear sign that the liver disease has “advanced”. The deposition of collagen around large veins is an early marker of who will progress to this stage of the disease.
“Typically, symptoms of alcoholic liver disease include abdominal pain and tenderness, dry mouth, and increased thirst, fatigue, jaundice ( yellowing of the skin), loss of appetite and nausea,” says hepatologist Alla Yuzhnova, especially for MedikForum.
Fatty liver disease: a sign in the mouth that indicates the risk of disease
One of the key mechanisms responsible for dry mouth, known medically as xerostomia, is parotid swelling.
“About 50 percent of patients [with alcoholic liver cirrhosis] have enlarged parotid glands, resulting in a 50 percent decrease in salivary flow rate and a decrease in salivary sodium, bicarbonate, and chloride levels.”
The parotid glands are two salivary glands that are located just in front of the ears and help the body chew and digest food. In addition to dry mouth, swelling of these glands can cause fever and pain.
Black coffee protects against cirrhosis of the liver
How does alcohol damage the liver?
Long-term alcohol abuse can lead to a dangerous condition called alcoholic liver disease.
The longer you have been abusing alcohol and the more alcohol you have drunk, the more likely you are to develop liver disease.
“Over time, this can lead to scarring and cirrhosis of the liver, which is the end phase of alcoholic liver disease.”
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