Final answer:
The first stage of alcoholic liver disease is a fatty liver (option b), which is the abnormal accumulation of fats in the liver when its lipid content increases significantly. This condition can disrupt liver function and may lead to more advanced liver diseases such as cirrhosis if not addressed.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first stage of alcoholic liver disease is b) a fatty liver. Fatty liver refers to the abnormal accumulation of fats in the liver, which is typically seen when the lipid content increases to about 25% to 30%. When this happens, the normal activities of the liver are disrupted. Fatty liver can progress to more serious liver problems if the underlying cause, such as excessive alcohol consumption, is not addressed.
Alcoholic liver disease can eventually lead to cirrhosis, which is characterized by the formation of fibrous tissue in the liver that replaces dead liver cells. Cirrhosis represents a later stage of liver disease and is associated with a progressive loss of liver function. Chronic liver failure, which often includes cirrhosis, may be caused by excessive alcohol intake over time. It is crucial to recognize that cirrhosis and chronic liver failure are typically later stages following fatty liver in the progression of alcoholic liver disease.