What effects can excessive alcohol consumption have on the liver?
February 21, 2022 | 30,00 EUR | answered by Marcus Schneider
Dear Doctor,
My name is Ben Bergmann and I am reaching out to you because I am concerned about my health. In the past few months, I have noticed that I regularly consume alcohol. My consumption has increased significantly recently and I am wondering what effects excessive alcohol consumption can have on my liver.
I am aware that alcohol in larger quantities can be harmful to health, especially to the liver. I have read that alcohol can damage liver cells and lead to inflammation, which can result in liver diseases such as fatty liver, liver cirrhosis, or even liver cancer. I am worried that my excessive alcohol consumption could have long-term negative effects on my liver.
I am wondering how I can find out if my alcohol consumption has already caused damage to my liver and if there are ways to treat or prevent this damage. I would like to know what tests or examinations can be done to assess the condition of my liver and what measures I can take to improve my liver health.
I would greatly appreciate your expert opinion on this matter and hope for specific recommendations on how to protect my health and preserve my liver from the harmful effects of my alcohol consumption.
Thank you in advance for your help.
Sincerely,
Ben Bergmann
Dear Ben Bergmann,
Thank you for your message and your trust in my expertise as an internal medicine doctor. It is understandable that you are concerned about your health, especially if you have noticed a significant increase in alcohol consumption in recent months. Indeed, excessive alcohol consumption can have significant effects on the liver, as it is responsible for breaking down alcohol in the body.
Alcohol is metabolized in the liver by enzymes, which can produce toxic substances that can damage liver cells. Long-term and excessive alcohol consumption can lead to fatty liver, inflammation of the liver (alcoholic hepatitis), cirrhosis, or even liver cancer. It is therefore important to reduce your alcohol consumption to protect your liver health.
To determine if your alcohol consumption has already caused damage to your liver, I recommend seeing a doctor and undergoing a liver examination. This may involve a blood test to check liver enzymes such as ALT (alanine aminotransferase) and AST (aspartate aminotransferase), as well as an ultrasound examination of the liver to detect any changes or damage.
There are also ways to improve your liver health and prevent damage. This includes primarily reducing or completely stopping your alcohol consumption. A balanced diet, regular physical activity, and adequate hydration can also help relieve and support your liver.
It is important to seek professional help if you have difficulty controlling your alcohol consumption. There are various therapy and counseling options that can help you overcome your dependence and protect your health.
I hope that my information helps you and encourages you to take steps to improve your liver health. Please do not hesitate to make an appointment with a doctor near you to have your liver function checked and receive individual recommendations for your situation.
I wish you all the best and am available to answer any further questions.
Best regards,
Marcus Schneider
