Alcohol And It’s Impact On The Liver

by Bridget on April 11, 2012

If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol abuse, it is very important that they find a reputable alcohol detox rehab as soon as the can. Without the help of medical professionals, it is highly unlikely that a person will be able to overcome their addiction. The problem with prolonged alcohol abuse is that is can have very serious health consequences. It can do serious damage to the liver, and if it goes unchecked for too long, it can actually lead to death. Alcohol abuse is a very serious public health concern that affects millions of Americans every single year.

Drinking Problems

Even though the drinking age is 21, many people start drinking much earlier than that. In fact, most high school students experiment with alcohol at some point during their high school years. This is very dangerous as it can lead to addiction. Alcohol should only be consumed by individuals who are above the legal drinking age. There are many different types of alcoholic beverages that individuals can abuse. Liquor, wine and beer are all available in many stores and restaurants around the country. Alcohol is legal, cheap and readily available to people who are over the age of 21.

Importance Of Liver

Without a functioning liver, a person will not be able to live for very long. The liver is responsible for detoxification, protein synthesis and producing certain chemicals that are needed for proper digestion. Alcohol abuse can have very damaging side effects on an individual’s liver. By going through a medical detox process, a person will be able to salvage their liver before permanent damage is done.

Drinking In Moderation

If drinking is curtailed then fatty liver can actually be reversed. If moderation or abstinence is maintained then it is not believed to lead to further liver complications. However, if drinking continues then it will only get worse and can lead to death. Fatty liver happens after acute alcohol ingestion, it is the accumulation of large vacuoles of triglyceride fat on liver cells caused by steatosis.

Dangers Of Excessive Drinking

It’s important to note that the damage caused by excessive drinking can be reversed if drinking is stopped or moderation ensues. If alcohol continues to be abused there is a fifty percent mortality rate for alcoholic hepatitis. Alcoholic Hepatitis is the inflammation of the liver due to alcohol. This is normally diagnosed by a liver biopsy following common signs of the issue such as a swollen liver, nausea, vomiting, fever and abdominal pain. A small percentage of heavy drinkers will develop alcoholic hepatitis.

Potential Health Issues

Cirrhosis is when the cells of the liver are so damaged because of alcohol that they cannot repair themselves. As the live cells die off scar tissue I formed. Once the scar tissue builds up, blood can no longer flow through the liver the way it should. There is not cure for cirrhosis; once the liver cells are damaged they cannot be repaired. The survival rate for the advanced stages of cirrhosis is not very good. Cirrhosis of the liver is the most serious and final form of alcohol liver disease. It is the cause of many deaths and series illnesses.

If you are struggling with alcohol abuse, it is imperative that you seek help at an alcohol detox rehab. Without medical intervention, it is very unlikely that an individual who is struggling with an alcohol addiction will be able to overcome it on their own. Thankfully, there are many reputable rehab centers around the country that are able to help a person who is struggling with alcohol addiction get over their addiction. Without medical intervention, an alcohol addiction can lead to very serious health issues down the road including liver damage and even death.

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