Categories
Addiction Recovery Alcohol Uncategorized

The Legacy of Heavy Alcohol Use Over Time

The Devastating Legacy of Lifelong Alcohol Consumption: Unveiling Chronic Health Consequences

Alcohol, a commonly consumed substance, has been an integral part of human culture for centuries. While moderate alcohol consumption may not necessarily pose significant health risks for most individuals, heavy and/or even chronic consumption over time can lead to severe medical conditions that undermine the body’s fundamental functions. In this article, we delve into the dire consequences of long-term heavy alcohol consumption, focusing on conditions such as cirrhosis, wet brain, and more.

Cirrhosis: A Slow-Moving Catastrophe

Cirrhosis stands as one of the most well-known and life-threatening consequences of prolonged heavy alcohol consumption. This chronic liver disease develops as the liver attempts to repair itself from the damage inflicted by excessive alcohol intake. Over time, the healthy liver tissue is replaced by scar tissue, causing impaired liver function. Cirrhosis progresses slowly and often remains asymptomatic until significant damage has occurred. Symptoms such as fatigue, jaundice, abdominal pain, and fluid retention become more pronounced as the condition advances.

Liver cirrhosis can lead to serious complications, including portal hypertension, which increases pressure in the blood vessels leading to the liver, and esophageal varices, the development of enlarged veins that can rupture and cause life-threatening bleeding. Moreover, cirrhosis elevates the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma, a form of liver cancer.

Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome: The Tragic “Wet Brain”

Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome, commonly referred to as “wet brain,” is a severe neurological disorder that results from thiamine (Vitamin B1) deficiency due to chronic alcohol abuse. Thiamine is crucial for brain function, and its deficiency can lead to cognitive impairment and memory problems.

Wernicke’s encephalopathy is the acute phase of the syndrome, characterized by symptoms such as confusion, coordination difficulties, and abnormal eye movements. Without timely intervention, this phase can transition into Korsakoff’s psychosis, which is characterized by profound memory deficits, disorientation, and fabrication of stories due to an inability to recall facts accurately.

Though treatment with thiamine can reverse some of the symptoms, the damage incurred by the brain is often irreversible, leaving those afflicted with long-term cognitive impairment and dependency on caregivers.

Alcoholic Cardiomyopathy: A Weakened Heart

The heart, another vital organ, is also significantly affected by lifelong heavy alcohol consumption. Alcoholic cardiomyopathy is a condition wherein the heart muscle becomes weakened, thin, and stretched, leading to impaired pumping function. This is due to the toxic effects of alcohol on the heart muscle cells and the interruption of essential nutrients required for proper heart function.

As the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively diminishes, symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, swollen legs, and irregular heartbeats can emerge. Alcoholic cardiomyopathy not only reduces the overall quality of life but also increases the risk of heart failure, arrhythmias, and sudden cardiac death.

Pancreatitis: Inflammation and Beyond

The pancreas, responsible for producing digestive enzymes and regulating blood sugar levels, can also suffer grave consequences from excessive alcohol consumption. Chronic alcohol abuse can lead to pancreatitis, the inflammation of the pancreas. This inflammation can obstruct the release of digestive enzymes into the small intestine, causing them to attack the pancreas itself.

Acute pancreatitis, often marked by sudden and severe abdominal pain, can develop into chronic pancreatitis, which results in persistent pain, malabsorption of nutrients, and diabetes due to the damage inflicted on insulin-producing cells. The combination of pain and nutritional deficits significantly impacts an individual’s daily life and overall health.

Peripheral Neuropathy: Nerve Damage and Pain

Peripheral neuropathy is a condition characterized by damage to the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord, affecting sensations and movements. Alcohol-related peripheral neuropathy often presents with symptoms like numbness, tingling, weakness, and burning pain, primarily in the extremities.

The exact mechanisms of how alcohol contributes to nerve damage are not fully understood, but it is believed to involve both direct toxic effects on nerve cells and the impact of nutritional deficiencies resulting from heavy alcohol consumption. Peripheral neuropathy can lead to mobility issues and a diminished quality of life, often requiring specialized medical care.

Wrap-Up

The consequences of a lifetime of heavy alcohol consumption are grim, affecting not only the liver but also the brain, heart, pancreas, and nervous system. Cirrhosis, wet brain, alcoholic cardiomyopathy, pancreatitis, and peripheral neuropathy are just a few of the chronic conditions that can arise from consistent and excessive alcohol abuse. The alarming reality is that these conditions, once established, often bring about irreversible damage, dramatically altering an individual’s health, well-being, and even their life expectancy.

Prevention and awareness are key to mitigating the devastating impact of heavy alcohol consumption. Public health campaigns, education, and accessible support systems can play a crucial role in helping individuals understand the risks associated with alcohol abuse and providing resources for intervention and treatment. Ultimately, the choice to adopt a healthier lifestyle can lead to a brighter and healthier future, free from the shackles of the long-term consequences of heavy alcohol consumption.

If you or someone you love is struggling with alcohol or drug addiction, please get help. You can start by looking at some of the resurces listed on our resources page. Whatever you decide – get informed and get help. The decision saves more lives than most of us will ever realize.

Ben Carrettin quote on importance of community
Community is important
Categories
Addiction Recovery Alcohol First Responders Life Transitions Opiates (Heroin and Prescription Pain Pills) Terminal Illness Uncategorized

Alcohol-Related Liver Disease

Alcohol-Related Liver Disease

The liver is a large meaty organ in the human body. It is responsible for breaking down the food, fighting infections, and filtering blood. A healthy liver ultimately allows for a more active and engaging life. However, very few people live lives that protect and preserve it. Most likely because we simply dont know the extent of its function or importance. But alcohol-related liver disease is on the rise and the increase in alcohol consumption over the pandemic years hasn’t helped either.

Liver Problems 

The liver, like other organs, can also get damaged for different reasons. When we don’t care what goes inside the body, our liver has to pay the price for it. Mostly, liver damage starts with swelling, further leading to fibrosis and scars. People who figure out the damage and seek treatment can reverse the case. But in the other case, fibrosis can turn into cirrhosis, which is terrible. It causes your liver to struggle hard to do an everyday task. With time, it ends at a point where your liver stops functioning, a liver failure. 

Symptoms of Possible Liver Problems

There are so many indications that can depict the lousy condition of your liver. Some of them can be following;

You might have itchy skin that causes bruises easily. 

Your eyes might turn yellow, which is also a symptom of jaundice. 

When your liver doesn’t function well, your belly may hurt. It sometimes makes you lose your appetite and feel sick of the stomach. 

It can also cause your different body parts like legs, arms, and belly to swell. 

What Causes the Liver Damage?

Liver damage can either be due to a medical condition, disease, or because of your unhealthy lifestyle.

Alcohol Addiction

Excessive drinking is considered bad for health. It is true because it lends up to the liver, which affects the blood filtering process. Meanwhile, it causes the creation of harmful chemicals that damages your liver. When a person continues to drink too much alcohol, the overproduction of chemicals occurs. It deteriorates your liver, causing a ‘fatty alcoholic liver.’ It might not threaten you at this point, but remember, it can turn into hepatitis, cirrhosis, or liver failure in days or weeks. 

Drug Addiction 

Liver infections are also prevalent these days. A virus consisting of Hepatitis variants like A, B, or C can also affect your liver badly. Such liver infections are mostly found among people struggling with drug addiction. This is usually because of the use of shared needles and unsanitary processes. Even seemingly minor mistakes and negligence can really harm your liver. 

Yes, there can be other factors triggering the liver problems like cancer, etc. But alcohol and drug addiction are the major ones.

Alcohol & Liver 

Alcohol is a red-labeled product, and its abuse can be threatening for life. It can cause several health complications, from high blood pressure to stroke. And ultimately, liver damage can be one of the potentially terminal effects of excessive alcohol consumption. 

Individuals addicted to alcohol have a high risk of developing chronic liver diseases like cirrhosis, hepatitis, or complete liver failure. It usually happens when a person consumes more than 15 drinks of alcohol over a week or a woman goes above eight glasses. It can be a one-time overdose or habitual abuse. In both cases, the over-drinking results in liver damage. 

Alcohol Consumption Statistics 

According to current research, 15%-30% of heavy drinkers are diagnosed with cirrhosis yearly. Most of them recover the damage when they give up on alcohol addicted and get appropriately treated.  It is one of the most common behaviors among adults in the United States. According to National Survey on Drugs, about 86% of adults have consumed alcohol in their lifetime.

The statistics on drinking are alarming, and many people are trying to find ways to reduce their alcohol consumption. Various factors contribute to drinking, including age, gender, socioeconomic status and culture.

How Does Alcohol Impact The Liver? 

The liver functions as the nutrients breaking and filtering organ. In the case of alcohol, when the liver breaks it down, the chemical reaction releases a toxin. It is harmful as it damages your liver cells, causing alcohol-related liver diseases. 

Do you know? The liver takes around an hour to process one alcoholic drink. It means the duration expands with the number of glasses. If someone does excessive drinks, the liver will take longer. What is more threatening is the point where the liver stops filtering any more alcohol. Rather than filtering, it lets the unprocessed alcohol enter the bloodstream. 

When unprocessed alcohol, traveling along in the blood, goes into different body organs like the heart and brain, it can have devastating results. 

Types of Alcohol-Related Liver Diseases 

Alcohol-Related liver disease; Steahopetatis (ASH)

It is an early-stage disease. It causes fat to accumulate within liver cells, interfering with liver function. The constant interruption declines liver production and health. 

Even though there are no particular signs and symptoms at an initial stage, abdominal pain can indicate it, particularly on the right side. Simply, alcohol abstinence can reduce pain and improves liver health. 

alcohol-related liver disease; Alcoholic Hepatitis 

It is a more common yet destructive type of alcohol-related liver disease. It occurs due to the killing of liver cells and developing scars or fibrosis. Around 35% of individuals drinking excessive alcohol develop this disease at mild and severe levels. 

When someone binges on drinking alcohol, it damages liver cells. The common symptoms of alcoholic hepatitis are fever, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, etc. If you experience it, stop drinking and see if things improve. In severe conditions, you must visit a physician and undergo liver treatment. 

Alcohol-Related Liver Disease; Cirrhosis

This is the most severe stage of liver deterioration. It becomes prominent when your liver is wholly scarred and damaged. The liver gets hard and shrinks in size. 

Cirrhosis is common among addicted drinkers. Those who continue drinking alcohol for years end up having this fatal disease. It eventually fails the liver, endangering their lives. 

How To Ensure A Healthy Liver?

No matter what put your liver at risk, certain medicines and lifestyle changes can help you recover it. Making wise choices for your life can be difficult and many factors must be considered. Here are some tips for sustaining a healthy liver;

Stop Feeding Your Addiction

Limiting substance-abuse related liver damage is possible. It only demands you stop consuming substance; alcohol and/or drugs. Alcohol-related liver diseases can seem to creep up on you unexpectedly – many people wait far too long to see their doctor and get help. For the sake of your health and life, and those who love and care about you – it’s a choice you need to make. And there are lots of resources to help you – start by reaching out to your family, your physician, a seasoned and professional addiction counselor or even a treatment center.

*Keep in mind that you need to get help – detoxing from alcohol and benzos can be deadly when done on your own.

Eat Well & Exercise

Having a healthy diet is always helpful. Eat more greens, fruits, and fibrous foods that are easy to digest. It will allow your liver to process in less time and relax too. Besides that, exercising keeps your body active. It enhances blood circulation, improving liver function.

Take Care of Your Health 

Whether be it your general or liver health, it deserves priority. You must take care of your health and opt for things that are good for it. Keep updating your lifestyle to a natural and healthier one to maintain well-being.

What Happens When You Quit Drinking?

Improved Sleep

The benefits of quitting alcohol are not just restricted to the individual but also their family members. The person who is quitting alcohol will see improvements in their sleep quality and will have more energy throughout the day.

Better Mental Health

Quitting or cutting down on alcohol can help people feel better mentally and physically. People addicted to alcohol often experience depression, anxiety and other mental health problems. Quitting or cutting down on alcohol can help them feel better mentally and physically by improving the quality of their lives.

Lower Risk of Cancer 

Alcohol is a huge risk factor for cancer. Alcohol abuse can also have other negative consequences. The cancer risk in people who drink alcohol is significantly lower than in those who don’t drink. Quitting alcohol is the best way to improve your health and reduce the increased risk of cancer.

Conclusion

The liver is a crucial organ to care for and substance abuse and/or addiction can put your liver in crisis. If you are an regular drinker or recreational user, you should at the very least have your liver checked out by your physician, routinely. They can run a quick blood test to look at risk of an alcohol-related liver disease. If your use has become routine, increased or even necessary, then opting for a professional and recommended addiction treatment program or center, may serve you even better. Whatever you choose to do, reach out to a professional and get the help you need and get it in time. It can save your liver and prolong life; the quantity and the quality of it. 

References

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2787499/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6713002/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5397877/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3860472/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6826827/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441882/