THE LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF DRINKING ALCOHOL ON THE BODY.

Is there one specific health condition made worse by alcohol they could discuss.

Fatty liver disease

Why does alcohol cause this?

The liver helps in fighting infections, filtering toxins, managing cholesterol and sugar, and enhancing digestion. It happens because it can regenerate new cells that make it more functional. However, alcohol consumption causes the cells to die, and it worsens when the drinking is excessive and prolonged. It may result in serious liver damage, which reduces the ability to flush out fats from the liver, thus causing fatty liver disease.

What are some symptoms of this health condition?

Symptoms include;

  • Weight loss
  • Drowsiness and confusion
  • Jaundice
  • Loss of appetite
  • Swollen abdomen
  • Nausea
  • Abdominal pain

Are there concerns in the medical community about the impact of alcohol on the UK population and whether they are seeing more and more issues caused by this?

Of course, yes.  The medical fraternity is concerned about the risk of disability, ill-health, and early mortality on the population. They are questioning its acceptability in the society, availability, and affordability, which accelerates the number of consumers.

Anastasia Filipenko

Anastasia Filipenko is a health and wellness psychologist, dermatolist and a freelance writer. She frequently covers beauty and skincare, food trends and nutrition, health and fitness and relationships. When she's not trying out new skincare products, you'll find her taking a cycling class, doing yoga, reading in the park, or trying a new recipe.

Nutritionist, Cornell University, MS

I believe that nutrition science is a wonderful helper both for the preventive improvement of health and adjunctive therapy in treatment. My goal is to help people improve their health and well-being without torturing themselves with unnecessary dietary restrictions. I am a supporter of a healthy lifestyle – I play sports, cycle, and swim in the lake all year round. With my work, I have been featured in Vice, Country Living, Harrods magazine, Daily Telegraph, Grazia, Women's Health, and other media outlets.

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).

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