ALCOHOL AND LIVER DISEASE

ALCOHOL AND LIVER DISEASE

What are your thoughts about the study/findings?

I support the results of the study as drinking for longer periods which can be in a period of 10 to 20 years impairs normal liver functioning in the long run and increases risks of alcohol related liver diseases. The rapid increases in cases of liver disorders is higher nowadays as people start taking alcohol when very young compared to some decades back where alcohol was meant strictly for adults. The change in lifestyle habits among the millennial generation has immensely increased alcohol consumption which explains the increased disease risks. 

How can drinking lead to alcoholic cirrhosis and fatty liver?

Excessive drinking for many years can result to fat accumulation on the liver a condition known as fatty livers which is characterized by swelling or inflammation around this vital organ. Alcohol continues destroying the liver cells as it breakdown the alcohol for secretion causing liver scarring where the normal top part of the liver tissue is replaced by a scarred tissue layer, a serious ARLD termed as cirrhosis.

How young do people tend to be when they start drinking alcohol?

According to various studies, the average age for boys to start drinking ranges from 11 to 12 and 13 to 15 in girls. This is linked to the ease access of alcoholic products and many life style behaviors that expose kids to drugs and alcohol.

How much alcohol is too much?

Taking more than 4 alcoholic drinks or 14 in a week is too much in men while an average of 7 drinks per week or 3 in a day is excess in women.

Ieva Kubiliute

Ieva Kubiliute is a psychologist and a sex and relationships advisor and a freelance writer. She's also a consultant to several health and wellness brands. While Ieva specialises in covering wellness topics ranging from fitness and nutrition, to mental wellbeing, sex and relationships and health conditions, she has written across a diverse range of lifestyle topics, including beauty and travel. Career highlights so far include: luxury spa-hopping in Spain and joining an £18k-a-year London gym. Someone’s got to do it! When she’s not typing away at her desk—or interviewing experts and case studies, Ieva winds down with yoga, a good movie and great skincare (affordable of course, there’s little she doesn’t know about budget beauty). Things that bring her endless joy: digital detoxes, oat milk lattes and long country walks (and sometimes jogs).

Latest from Ask the Expert