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Introduction
Alcohol is present in beverages like beer, wine, and spirits. It is the component responsible for intoxication. Some fermented fruits also contain alcohol. When alcohol is used in cooking, it remains in the dish to some extent. Alcohol is harmful to your body and can interfere with its normal functions. It also has addictive properties.
What happens when you drink alcohol?
When you drink alcohol, it is absorbed into your bloodstream through the lining of your stomach and intestines. Once in your blood, it quickly spreads to various parts of your body, including your brain, heart, and muscles. Alcohol can rapidly affect your mental state and behaviour. Small amounts may make you feel more relaxed and happy, but larger amounts can impair your judgement, coordination, and balance, making simple tasks like walking difficult. These are just some of the effects alcohol has on your body. As you drink, your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) increases, which is measured during roadside breath tests by police. The more you drink, the higher the risk to your health and safety.
Is there a safe amount of alcohol to drink?
No amount of alcohol is entirely safe for your health. Even small quantities can cause harm. However, having 1 to 2 standard drinks per week is considered low risk for developing alcohol-related health issues such as liver and heart disease, and certain cancers.
What happens if you combine alcohol with medicine?
Combining alcohol with medicine can be very dangerous and may lead to severe liver damage. It is particularly important not to mix alcohol with medications that contain acetaminophen (such as Tylenol). Many prescription and over-the-counter medications, as well as herbal supplements, can interact with alcohol, affecting each other. Alcohol can decrease the effectiveness of the medicines you are taking.
How do you know if your liver has been damaged by alcohol?
You might not notice any symptoms until a significant portion (about 75%) of your liver has been damaged. By then, it may be too late to reverse the damage. It’s crucial to visit your doctor regularly and be honest about your alcohol consumption so that any liver damage can be detected early. Regular check-ups and blood tests can help your doctor identify early signs of liver disease.
Is liver damage from alcohol reversible or curable?
Anyone who drinks alcohol regularly or heavily is at risk of liver damage, which can range from mild (such as fatty liver) to severe (such as alcoholic hepatitis or cirrhosis).
Mild liver damage, like fatty liver, can be completely reversed if you stop drinking alcohol. Without alcohol in your system, liver cells can regenerate and return to their normal state.
Serious liver diseases, like alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis, typically cause irreversible damage. However, you can often maintain a normal life if you quit drinking alcohol entirely and take medications to manage your liver condition.
In the most severe cases, where the liver stops functioning properly, the damage may be irreversible even if you stop drinking, which can lead to death.
