The liver is a resilient organ, capable of regenerating and repairing itself, but even this remarkable ability has its limits, said Dr Ram Chandra Soni, chairman, gastroenterology and hepatology, Accord Superspeciality Hospital, Faridabad
Liver specialist Dr Saurabh Sethi encountered a patient in his 50s
who was diagnosed with liver cancer. The sole risk was alcohol abuse and in the
man’s case, it resulted in the blockage of the bile duct. “To relieve the
obstruction, I did an ERCP (Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) and
placed a plastic stent into the duct to relieve his jaundice. The surgery was
successful but unfortunately, the patient’s prognosis is bleak. I highly
recommend to minimise alcohol consumption,” he said in a post on his Instagram.
Addressing concerns about addiction, Dr Sethi said that while it is tough to break the habit, he shared that many of his patients had succeeded given there are aids like counselling and support groups. “Please talk to your doctor,” he said.
Taking a cue from his message, we decided to ask experts why alcohol is toxic to your body and ways to give up the addiction.
Addressing the connection, Dr Ram Chandra Soni, chairman, gastroenterology and hepatology, Accord Superspeciality Hospital, Faridabad shared, “In my whole career, I have met and treated many patients, and if there’s one thing I can confidently attest to, it’s the alarming connection between alcohol consumption and liver diseases.”
The liver is a resilient organ, capable of regenerating and repairing itself, but even this remarkable ability has its limits, remarked Dr Soni. “Excessive alcohol intake pushes the liver to its breaking point, leading to a cascade of problems that can be devastating. Regular and heavy drinking can lead to fatty liver disease, cirrhosis, and even liver cancer.
The liver processes alcohol, breaking it down into harmful byproducts that can damage its cells. Over time, this damage accumulates, causing inflammation, scarring, and a loss of function. It’s a slow, insidious process that often remains unnoticed until it’s too late,” explained Dr Soni.
It’s not just the quantity of alcohol; the frequency matters too. “Binge drinking or regular moderate drinking can also take a toll on the liver. What many don’t realise is that even a single episode of heavy drinking can trigger a severe form of liver inflammation, known as alcoholic hepatitis, which can be life-threatening,” said Dr Soni.
As a gastroenterologist and hepatologist, he implores people “to listen to your liver’s silent cries”. “Quit alcohol now, or at least drink in moderation. Your liver is a precious organ, working tirelessly to keep you healthy. It’s time to return the favour and take your liver’s health seriously. Don’t become another statistic in the growing number of liver disease cases caused by alcohol,” said Dr Soni.
Medications and therapy may be necessary for those with severe alcohol dependence, said Dr Mukesh Nandal, consultant, gastroenterology, Narayana Hospital Gurugram. “Surround yourself with a supportive network and set realistic goals. Remember, the journey to sobriety is a path to a healthier, happier life,” said Dr Nandal.
No comments:
Post a Comment