Deaths from alcohol-related liver disease have increased by 39% in the United States
Alcohol-related liver disease is the leading cause of death from excessive alcohol consumption. And although it is treatable in the early stages, many people don’t realize they have the condition until it’s too late to reverse it.
A report on The New York Times reports that annual deaths from the disease have increased 39% in recent years, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Death rates are highest in men and adults aged 50 to 64, although they are increasing rapidly among women and younger adults.
“People who drink are drinking more heavily than they used to, so I think that’s the biggest factor,” Jessica Mellinger, assistant professor of gastroenterology and hepatology at the University of Michigan School of Medicine, told the report. She adds that, for the first time in the country, women are drinking as much as men.
What does alcohol-related liver disease look like?
The first stage of the disease is hepatic steatosis or fatty liver disease. This happens when fat begins to accumulate in the liver, the organ responsible for metabolizing alcohol. In the second phase, excessive consumption activates the body’s immune system, causing inflammation of the liver.
If this damage continues, tissue resulting from the scarring process can build up in the liver, leading to the third stage, known as cirrhosis. About 20% of people with alcohol-related fatty liver disease will have cirrhosis.
Some people also develop alcohol-associated hepatitis, which is a serious inflammation of the liver. This occurs most often in people with cirrhosis, but can occur at any stage if people drink a lot (i.e., 8 to 10 drinks a day). Both liver cirrhosis and alcohol-associated hepatitis can be fatal.
What does it mean to drink too much?
The risk of alcohol-related liver disease increases when people drink more than recommended limits: 7 drinks a week for women and 14 for men. It is even higher for women who drink more than 3 drinks a day and for men who drink more than 4 drinks a day. Women metabolize alcohol differently than men, so they are at greater risk of disease if they drink the same amount.
At this level of alcohol consumption, it is estimated that 90% of people have fatty deposits in their liver. Fat can begin to accumulate quickly, in some cases as early as 6 months of excessive alcohol consumption.
Cirrhosis takes years or decades to develop. As a result, severe liver disease is more common in older adults, although it can occur in younger people with cirrhosis or alcohol-associated hepatitis.
Metabolic diseases such as obesity, diabetes or hypertension can also damage the liver. This puts people at greater risk of progressing to liver disease more quickly with lower levels of alcohol consumption. Experts say Americans’ worsening metabolic health may be another reason for the rise in deaths from alcohol-related liver disease.
What are the signs that the liver is suffering?
There are no symptoms in the early stages of alcohol-related liver disease, making it difficult to identify. Most people who may develop cirrhosis don’t even know it.
When the diagnosis is made in the first two stages, it is because blood tests have revealed abnormal liver function. These tests may be performed as part of routine exams, or a doctor may recommend them if he or she is concerned about a patient’s alcohol use. If liver enzyme levels are abnormal, an ultrasound or MRI can determine what stage of liver disease a person is in.
However, liver disease is often detected only when alarming symptoms appear in the advanced stages. A patient may have significant fluid buildup and swelling in the abdomen, begin vomiting blood, or develop jaundice.
How is the treatment?
Because the liver can regenerate, the first two stages of liver disease can be reversed if the patient eliminates alcohol. To help with this, many specialty clinics in the United States offer treatments for alcohol use disorder that include therapy, group programs, or medications to reduce the desire to drink.
After someone has cirrhosis, the condition, in most cases, is considered irreversible. At this stage the risk of complications and liver cancer is greater. However, even in cases of cirrhosis, if a person stops drinking, the risk of dying from the condition decreases significantly.
If you are concerned about your liver health, the first step is to talk to a doctor and ask for liver function tests to catch any problems as soon as possible.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
