1. Alcohol is absorbed from the stomach and intestines into the bloodstream.
2. Since blood from the stomach and intestines first goes through the liver and then to other parts of the body, the highest concentration of alcohol is in the blood that’s flowing through the liver.
3. Liver cells contain enzymes which metabolise the alcohol by breaking them into water and carbon dioxide.
4. The liver cells can process only a certain amount of alcohol per hour.
5. Drinking excess alcohol, therefore, can lead to 3 types of alcohol-induced liver disease: fatty liver, hepatitis, and cirrhosis.
FATTY LIVER
1. In this condition, there is excessive accumulation of fat inside the liver cells.
2. It is a common alcohol-induced disorder, in which the liver gets enlarged.
3. This may cause upper abdominal discomfort on the right side.
ALCOHOLIC HEPATITIS
1. This is an acute inflammation of the liver, accompanied by the destruction of liver cells.
2. Symptoms may include pain, fever and jaundice.
CIRRHOSIS
1. This is a condition where the normal liver tissue is replaced by scar tissue or fibrosis.
2. The scar tissue affects the normal structure and re-growth of liver cells.
3. These cells become damaged and die as scar tissue gradually develops.
4. The liver gradually loses its ability to function well.
5. Symptoms may include jaundice, blood in vomits or in stool, fluid in tummy (ascites), blood clotting problems, confusion, coma and bleeding in the guts.
LIVER CANCER
1. Alcohol is a risk factor for liver cancer through cirrhosis.
2. About 5% of people with cirrhosis develop liver cancer.
3. The risk of liver cancer is even greater if a person is infected with the hepatitis B or C viruses.
4. One in five people with these viruses develop cirrhosis and liver cancer.
5. People with these infections should avoid alcohol, as even a small amount could damage their liver.
6. The disease can be diagnosed by physical examination, ultra-sonography and a liver-specific blood test.
TREATMENT
1. Abstinence from alcohol is the primary treatment.
2. The liver has a great regenerative power and is often able to repair early stage of liver damage.
3. However, once the liver becomes cirrhotic, it cannot be reversed.
4. Liver replacement is the only curative treatment.
2. Since blood from the stomach and intestines first goes through the liver and then to other parts of the body, the highest concentration of alcohol is in the blood that’s flowing through the liver.
3. Liver cells contain enzymes which metabolise the alcohol by breaking them into water and carbon dioxide.
4. The liver cells can process only a certain amount of alcohol per hour.
5. Drinking excess alcohol, therefore, can lead to 3 types of alcohol-induced liver disease: fatty liver, hepatitis, and cirrhosis.
FATTY LIVER
1. In this condition, there is excessive accumulation of fat inside the liver cells.
2. It is a common alcohol-induced disorder, in which the liver gets enlarged.
3. This may cause upper abdominal discomfort on the right side.
ALCOHOLIC HEPATITIS
1. This is an acute inflammation of the liver, accompanied by the destruction of liver cells.
2. Symptoms may include pain, fever and jaundice.
CIRRHOSIS
1. This is a condition where the normal liver tissue is replaced by scar tissue or fibrosis.
2. The scar tissue affects the normal structure and re-growth of liver cells.
3. These cells become damaged and die as scar tissue gradually develops.
4. The liver gradually loses its ability to function well.
5. Symptoms may include jaundice, blood in vomits or in stool, fluid in tummy (ascites), blood clotting problems, confusion, coma and bleeding in the guts.
LIVER CANCER
1. Alcohol is a risk factor for liver cancer through cirrhosis.
2. About 5% of people with cirrhosis develop liver cancer.
3. The risk of liver cancer is even greater if a person is infected with the hepatitis B or C viruses.
4. One in five people with these viruses develop cirrhosis and liver cancer.
5. People with these infections should avoid alcohol, as even a small amount could damage their liver.
6. The disease can be diagnosed by physical examination, ultra-sonography and a liver-specific blood test.
TREATMENT
1. Abstinence from alcohol is the primary treatment.
2. The liver has a great regenerative power and is often able to repair early stage of liver damage.
3. However, once the liver becomes cirrhotic, it cannot be reversed.
4. Liver replacement is the only curative treatment.