The Largest Internal Body Organ Is Surprisingly Resilient
The liver is an extremely resilient organ. It is the largest internal body organ and is actively involved in breaking down and eliminating bodily waste products, including alcohol. The liver is responsible for a colossal 90% of all alcohol consumed, and just one alcoholic drink can take about 1-hour to be processed. Regardless of that, because the liver is self-healing and in a constant state of generation, it can repair and heal from alcohol-related damage depending on the extent of the damage.
Chronic alcoholism causes significant long-term damage to the liver by destroying liver cells, causing severe illness, and producing cellular mutations that can lead to cancer. Typically, liver diseases caused by alcohol consumption progress from fatty liver disease to alcoholic hepatitis, and finally to cirrhosis of the liver. However, this is not always the case with some heavy drinkers reporting cirrhosis prior to a hepatitis diagnosis.
When the damage is still in the early stages of fatty liver disease, the liver can usually heal itself if the individual reduces or completely stops drinking. It might even be possible to begin drinking moderately after the liver has returned to a normal state, but only if the liver is being frequently inspected for damage to avoid putting it back into a state of stress. Both fatty liver disease and alcoholic hepatitis are usually reversible by stopping drinking to allow the liver time to heal and, occasionally, with prescription medication. Unfortunately, if the damage has caused cirrhosis, otherwise known as liver scarring, the damage is irreversible. When the liver develops scar tissue, it usually remains that way forever. Patients with cirrhosis typically consume an average of 40 grams of alcohol daily and have been drinking for a prolonged period. People with cirrhosis are still advised to seek treatment and limit, if not stop, their alcohol consumption to reduce associated risks and symptoms.
The amount of time it takes for the liver to heal depends on a few factors, primarily alcohol usage. There are a few signs to watch for that the liver is beginning to heal, including amino-acid regulation, balanced glucose levels, enhanced blood clotting, efficient bilirubin, bacteria filtration and removal, and converting glucose to glycogen. Liver repair treatment is necessary before the damage progresses. Considering alcohol-related diseases rarely show symptoms early enough, it’s crucial to seek regular medical checkups to observe the health of such an important organ.
The Effects of Alcohol on The Liver
For more information about the effects of alcohol on the liver and how it can be reversed, go to AddictionGroup.org:
“One alcoholic beverage takes around an hour to be processed in the body. With each drink, the time lengthens. The longer it takes for someone to metabolize alcohol, the greater their blood alcohol content will be after a few drinks. The liver can only handle a specific amount of alcohol at a time. This depends largely on genetics, but the liver size and body mass index also play a role. When a person drinks excessively, the alcohol that is not metabolized by the liver remains in the blood. They become drunk when their high blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level crosses the brain, causing some cognitive changes.
Studies indicate that the effects of alcohol intake depend on individual factors such as weight, size, genetics, gender, and underlying health conditions. In contrast to men, women absorb more alcohol from each drink, putting them at higher risk of liver disease. The liver may be harmed by drinking two to three alcoholic beverages daily. Furthermore, binge drinking, or consuming four or five drinks in one session, may harm the liver. Those who consume 40 grams of alcohol daily risk developing liver cirrhosis.”
From How to Heal Your Liver: 8 Signs Your Liver Is Healing - AddictionGroup
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Have you checked up on the health of your liver recently? After reading this article, are you more likely to schedule a check-up anytime soon?
Written by Yellow Brick Road
October 25th, 2022