Alcohol-Related Liver Disease: ARLD Specialist Care
Alcohol-Related Liver Disease (ARLD) happens when the liver is damaged by drinking too much alcohol over time.
Dr Nadir Abbas is a leading liver scarring specialist who provides non-judgmental assessment & evidence-based expert care to help your liver heal.
What is Alcohol-Related Liver Disease (ARLD)?
ARLD is a condition where the liver becomes swollen or scarred due to alcohol. It is a very common cause of liver problems in the UK. Many people do not know their liver is struggling because the damage often happens slowly.
If caught early, some stages of the disease can be completely reversed.
Dr Nadir, a dedicated ARLD specialist, works with you to create a clear path toward clinical recovery and better health.
As Seen On
Stages of Alcohol-Related Liver Disease
Dr Nadir uses advanced tests to see exactly how much damage has occurred:
Alcoholic Fatty Liver (Steatosis)
In the earliest stage, fat builds up in the liver. It is often quiet with no symptoms and can be fully reversed if you stop drinking.
Alcoholic Hepatitis
Stage 2, i.e., alcoholic hepatitis, is serious, where the liver suddenly becomes red and swollen. It can cause yellow skin (jaundice) and tummy pain.
Liver Cirrhosis
This is the most advanced stage, with deep liver scars. As a liver scarring specialist, Dr Nadir focuses on managing these scars to prevent more serious problems.
Symptoms of Alcohol-Related Liver Disease
In the early stages, you might not feel sick at all. However, as the liver damage grows, common signs include:
- Feeling very tired or weak.
- Yellow skin or eyes (jaundice).
- Pain in the upper right side of your abdomen.
- Loss of appetite or weight loss.
- Swelling in the legs or abdomen.
Causes of ARLD
Alcohol is a toxin that the liver has to break down. If the liver has too much to deal with, its cells become damaged.
Cell Damage
Regular heavy drinking causes the liver to become inflamed and swollen.
Healing Power
The liver is amazing because it can often repair itself and regenerate if alcohol is stopped early enough.
Scarring
If the drinking continues, the liver can no longer heal, and permanent scars (fibrosis) begin to form.
Consultant-led Diagnostic Pathway for ARLD
Dr Nadir provides a thorough, private check-up to assess your liver health. He draws on his extensive experience to create a safe space for you to discuss your concerns and receive clear answers.
Confidential Consultation
A detailed 30-minute private talk where Dr Abbas listens to your health history and alcohol use in a completely safe, non-judgemental space.
Full Blood Panel
A comprehensive set of deep blood checks to look at your liver enzymes, kidney function, and how well your blood clots (coagulation).
FibroScan
A high-tech, painless scan that uses sound waves to measure liver scars (fibrosis) exactly, without the need for any needles or uncomfortable biopsies.
Endoscopy Referral (If Required)
If your liver has established scars, Dr Nadir may refer you for an endoscopy, i.e., a procedure in which a tiny camera is used to check your food pipe for any swelling or varices to help keep you safe from internal bleeding.
ARLD Management from Dr Nadir: Liver Scarring Specialist
Dr Nadir, along with a multidisciplinary team, follows the best medical guidelines (EASL and BSG) to help you get better.
Phase 1: Abstinence Strategy
Stopping alcohol completely is the most powerful clinical tool. It instantly stops further toxic injury to your liver cells.
Phase 2: Nutritional Repair
Alcohol severely depletes vital nutrients. We use targeted clinical diet plans to restore your physical health and support cell repair.
Phase 3: Targeted Medicine
We use specific drugs to control fluid build-up (ascites), reduce swelling, and prevent serious complications in advanced disease.
Dr Nadir Abbas
MBBS, MRCP (London), ESEGH, PhD
Consultant Hepatologist & Gastroenterologist
Director of Private Gut and Liver Services at House of Health
Dr Nadir Abbas is an award-winning NHS consultant and internationally recognised researcher who brings world-class expertise in gut and liver disorders to House of Health as Director of Gut & Liver Private Services in Birmingham, UK.
He combines expert patient care with internationally recognised research in liver and digestive disorders. Dr Abbas has contributed to British guidelines on the management of liver cirrhosis, published extensively in peer-reviewed journals, and presented at international conferences.
At House of Health, he leads a multidisciplinary team providing personalised care for complex gastrointestinal and liver conditions.
Highlights:
- 14+ years of clinical experience.
- A PhD specifically in Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC) from the University of Birmingham, UK.
- Specialist in all aspects of liver diseases, including PBC, autoimmune hepatitis, PSC, Fatty Liver Disease (MASLD/MASH), IBS, IBD, GORD, pancreatic and biliary disorders, alongside general gastroenterology issues.
- Research expertise in primary biliary cholangitis and liver cirrhosis.
- International conference speaker and published author.
- Leads a multidisciplinary team of dietitians, radiologists, GPs, and gut-directed therapists.
- Skilled in advanced endoscopy and comprehensive digestive investigations.
Confidential Assessment & Recovery Pathways
Dr Nadir Abbas offers confidential, non-judgmental care for people living with alcohol-related liver disease in Birmingham. As a private hepatologist and ARLD specialist in the UK, he carefully assesses the stage of liver damage, from early fatty liver to alcoholic hepatitis or liver cirrhosis, and creates a clear, evidence-based treatment plan.
With over 14 years of experience, his focus is on supporting recovery and allowing the liver to heal when alcohol is stopped early. For advanced liver scarring or cirrhosis, Dr Abbas follows the latest British clinical guidelines to manage complications safely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Every consultation is completely private. We provide a highly secure, non-judgemental environment focused entirely on your medical recovery.
Yes, it is highly capable of regeneration. If we diagnose you at the an earlier liver stage, stopping alcohol can stop or reverse the damage in some instances.
In most cases, no. We use a painless FibroScan to accurately and safely measure your liver scarring in minutes.
In cases of cirrhosis, we can suggest strategies with nutrition, exercise and medications to help you optimise your liver function and have regular surveillance.
Feedback from Our Happy Patients
"We experienced high class service at House of Health from the doctors. Thank you for seeing us promptly."
"House of Health is really just that! My experience has been nothing short of delightful and I am so happy I have discovered this clinic! The staff are warm and welcoming, the clinic is immaculate and the Dr's are extremely knowledgeable. This for me is a life changing service and I am so grateful."
"A seamless experience to date. The clinic is very well presented and a step up from my usual GP clinic. Dr Anita is lovely and really makes you feel heard. The patient coordinator Megan has been extremely helpful and always on hand to answer all of my queries."
"Got an appointment for next day really quick. Dr. Sharan Wadhwani was incredibly professional and gave me a really quick diagnosis and weeks of fretting and worrying were over in seconds. The whole team were really polite and welcoming."
"Great service! I was able to get an appointment the same day, and the whole process was easy and smooth. Highly recommend!"
"From the moment you step into the clinic, the welcoming atmosphere and professionalism of the staff put you at ease. Dr. Raja is incredibly knowledgeable, attentive, and genuinely cares about your well being."
"A wonderful clinic with caring, dedicated doctors. We have never experienced such care before. Efficient and high class."
"I was able to book a same-day appointment online, which was incredibly convenient. The GP was absolutely lovely—so knowledgeable, attentive, and reassuring throughout the appointment. I felt truly listened to and cared for."
"House of Health is a 5 star service. From booking, being seen by the doctor to medications – everything was a breeze. Thank you to the doctors for providing such a high quality service."
We Accept The Following Insurance
Request a Callback
Fill out the form below and our team will get back to you to arrange your consultation.