Introduction
Alcohol is present in beverages like beer, wine, and spirits. It is the component responsible for intoxication. Some fermented fruits also contain alcohol. When alcohol is used in cooking, it remains in the dish to some extent. Alcohol is harmful to your body and can interfere with its normal functions. It also has addictive properties.
What happens when you drink alcohol?
When you drink alcohol, it is absorbed into your bloodstream through the lining of your stomach and intestines. Once in your blood, it quickly spreads to various parts of your body, including your brain, heart, and muscles. Alcohol can rapidly affect your mental state and behaviour. Small amounts may make you feel more relaxed and happy, but larger amounts can impair your judgement, coordination, and balance, making simple tasks like walking difficult. These are just some of the effects alcohol has on your body. As you drink, your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) increases, which is measured during roadside breath tests by police. The more you drink, the higher the risk to your health and safety.
How does alcohol impact your liver?
Your liver plays a crucial role in detoxifying your blood, including processing alcohol. However, it can only handle a certain amount of alcohol at a time. When you drink more alcohol than your liver can process, the excess alcohol can damage or alter your liver cells over time. Some of these changes include:
- Accumulation of fat in liver cells (fatty liver)
- Inflammation of the liver (alcoholic hepatitis)
- Severe scarring (cirrhosis)
A heavily scarred liver can lead to liver cancer or be fatal.
Is there a safe amount of alcohol to drink?
No amount of alcohol is entirely safe for your health. Even small quantities can cause harm. However, having 1 to 2 standard drinks per week is considered low risk for developing alcohol-related health issues such as liver and heart disease, and certain cancers.
What happens if you combine alcohol with medicine?
Combining alcohol with medicine can be very dangerous and may lead to severe liver damage. It is particularly important not to mix alcohol with medications that contain acetaminophen (such as Tylenol). Many prescription and over-the-counter medications, as well as herbal supplements, can interact with alcohol, affecting each other. Alcohol can decrease the effectiveness of the medicines you are taking.
Some examples of medicines that are dangerous to take with alcohol:
- antibiotics
- antihistamines
- blood thinners
- antidepressants
- sedatives
- pain medications
- blood pressure medications
- cough medicines
Consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist to understand how alcohol might react with your medications.
How do you know if your liver has been damaged by alcohol?
You might not notice any symptoms until a significant portion (about 75%) of your liver has been damaged. By then, it may be too late to reverse the damage. It’s crucial to visit your doctor regularly and be honest about your alcohol consumption so that any liver damage can be detected early. Regular check-ups and blood tests can help your doctor identify early signs of liver disease.
What happens to your body if your liver isn’t functioning properly?
If your liver isn’t working properly, your entire body will be affected. Symptoms and problems caused by severe liver damage include:
- Extreme fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Increased susceptibility to infections
- Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
- Abdominal swelling
- Easy bruising
- Mental confusion
- Kidney failure
Is liver damage from alcohol reversible or curable?
Anyone who drinks alcohol regularly or heavily is at risk of liver damage, which can range from mild (such as fatty liver) to severe (such as alcoholic hepatitis or cirrhosis).
Mild liver damage, like fatty liver, can be completely reversed if you stop drinking alcohol. Without alcohol in your system, liver cells can regenerate and return to their normal state.
Serious liver diseases, like alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis, typically cause irreversible damage. However, you can often maintain a normal life if you quit drinking alcohol entirely and take medications to manage your liver condition.
In the most severe cases, where the liver stops functioning properly, the damage may be irreversible even if you stop drinking, which can lead to death.
What steps should you take if you suspect alcohol-related liver damage?
- Cease alcohol consumption right away.
- Schedule an appointment with your doctor and provide an accurate account of your alcohol intake.
- Request blood tests from your doctor to evaluate your liver function and identify any other potential liver issues.
- Seek advice from your doctor if you struggle to stop drinking alcohol.
Want Expert Care for Liver Disease & Alcoholism?
Drop in at Jain Multispeciality Hospital that specialises in diagnosing and treating liver diseases related to alcoholism. With a team of experienced hepatologists and state-of-the-art facilities, the hospital offers comprehensive care for conditions ranging from fatty liver to cirrhosis. Advanced diagnostic services such as blood tests, imaging (ultrasound, CT, MRI), and liver biopsies ensure accurate assessment and effective treatment plans.
A multidisciplinary approach is employed, offering personalised treatment plans, support for alcohol dependence, and regular monitoring to ensure optimal liver health. Utilising cutting-edge technology and minimally invasive procedures, Jain Multispeciality Hospital is dedicated to providing top-notch care, helping patients achieve the best possible outcomes in their battle against liver disease and alcoholism.
