Term: alcoholic fatty liver disease

Pronunciation: (AL-kuh-HAW-lik FA-tee LIH-ver dih-ZEEZ)

Description:

A condition in which fat builds up in the liver of people who drink large amounts of alcohol. Alcoholic fatty liver disease can be reversed if it is diagnosed early and a person stops drinking alcohol. In some people, the condition can get worse and cause liver inflammation and damage to the cells in the liver. This may lead to cirrhosis (scarring of the liver), liver failure, or liver cancer. Also called AFLD.