Question

In: Anatomy and Physiology

What are alcohol's effects on the liver, both short-term and long-term?

  1. What are alcohol's effects on the liver, both short-term and long-term?

Solutions

Expert Solution

Before learning the effects of alcohol lets first know what alcohol is and how it effects the human body.

Alcohol : Alcohol is a colourless volatile flammable liquid which is produced by the natural fermentation of sugars (grains,fruits).It is the intoxicating constituent of wine,beer,spirits and other drinks.

Impact of Alcohol on the body: Its impact starts from the moment its taken.A glass a day may do little damage to the overall health, but if the habit continues or grows cumulative effects can add up.There are many effects of alcohol including effects on digestive enzymes and endocrine glands, central nervous system, circulatory system, Skeletal and muscle systems, Immune system.

The liver is our largest internal organ and has different roles, including the breakdown of food into energy and helping the body get rid of waste products and fight infections.A damaged liver cannot be identified unless things get very serious.

Drinking alcohol can increase the risk of developing liver disease and cause irreparable damage.Alcohol is a major cause of many deaths in the world.The types of liver disease are :

1. ALCOHOL RELATED FATTY LIVER DISEASE , where the liver is damaged after alcohol abuse.

2. NON ALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER DISEASE , a build up of fat within liver cells.

3. VIRAL (HEPATITIS) , inflammation or swelling of the liver caused by viral infection.

4. AUTO IMMUNE (CHRONIC HEPATITIS) , Severe form of hepatitis where blood cells attack and destroy liver cells.

HOW DOES ALCOHOL IMPACT THE LIVER:

Oxidative stress , when liver tries to breakdown alcohol, the resulting chemical reaction can damage its cells.This damage can lead to inflammation and scarring as the liver tries to repair itself.

Toxins in gut bacteria, Alcohol can damage intestine which leads toxins from the bacteria in the gut to get into liver.These toxins can also lead to inflammation and scarring.

When you drink alcohol it gets absorbed into the blood stream through the lining of stomach and small intestine.From the blood stream it travels to the liver for processing.Alcohol will not typically harm the function of liver if taken in limit.

SHORT TERM EFFECTS OF LIVER :

The first problem to arise is alteration of the organs normal chemical balance.The frequent presence of alcohol in the body system will lead to reduction of liver's ability to process fat.This may lead to alcoholic fatty liver disease, which occurs when fat starts to build up abnormally inside the liver, which can lead to inflammation and scarring.Early symptoms of liver disease include Abdominal pains,Diarrhoea,Fatigue,Nausea,Vomitings,slurred speech, vision impairment,Lack of co ordination,memory lapses,slowed breathing.

LONG TERM EFFECTS OF LIVER :

The long term effects of alcohol may cause life threatening liver problems.It can damage the liver , hepatitis , fibriosis and cirrhosis, liver cancer,Type 2 diabetes.Alcoholic hepatitis occurs when the damage and inflammation becomes worse.It can cause noticeable signs like jaundice,tenderness in abdomen,fever,nausea,vomiting and weight loss.Cirrhosis occurs as so much damage to liver tissue while trying to repair the liver cells.This damage is not reversable , however it can be treated when found in early stages.

Treatment for alcoholic effects may be done by stopping drinking alcohol.It is because stopping drinking is the only way to prevent liver damage getting worse.

Hope the information was helpful.

Thanks :)  


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