All You Need to Know About Alcohol Use and Liver Damage

Liver diseases can be life-threatening, and a major contributor to many kinds of liver disease is excessive alcohol consumption.

If you drink too much or use alcohol as a coping mechanism, it might be time to get help. Reducing your general alcohol consumption can improve your health and help you save money. Even though alcohol consumption can create life-altering problems, most adults (77%) in Australia routinely drink alcohol. The occasional glass of wine may not make much difference, but overconsumption can lead to severe liver issues.

Let’s examine how you can avoid health problems by reducing alcohol and when to seek help from an online GP consultation.

Why Do People Drink Alcohol?
Alcohol is a substance that is often considered a “depressant.” When you’re drinking, it takes longer for the brain to interact with the human body, which can help people let go of their fears and anxiety. Each alcoholic beverage has a varied quantity of alcohol, and it is produced during fermentation.

How Does Drinking Affect You?
Alcohol’s effects vary depending on age, sex and whether it’s the only substance you consume.

Depending on how much you consume, side effects might include nausea, impaired coordination, diminished inhibition, tiredness and memory deterioration. Drinking too much alcohol over a prolonged period increases the chances of developing diabetes, cirrhosis, stomach, liver or intestine cancers, cardiovascular problems, elevated blood pressure or heart attacks, drug misuse and mental health problems.

How Can Abstaining Help Me Save Money?
Financial considerations must also be considered. People responding to a Facebook post recently revealed that they could easily spend over a hundred bucks each week on alcohol. While living in the rising cost of living crisis, reducing alcohol use could help you save thousands yearly.

In Australia, drinking habits differ between urban and rural areas, with people living in isolated areas being more inclined to drink daily and at levels that put them at a greater risk of long-term damage. Additionally, the impact of illness brought on by alcohol use is 2.1 times greater in rural areas than in metropolitan cities.

What Is The Safe Drinking Limit?
In Australia, the amount of alcohol is listed on the labels of alcoholic drinks. This could sometimes be stated as “standard drinks” or in grams. The quantity of alcohol that a typical, healthy person will get rid of from their bloodstream in one hour is 10g or one standard drink. You may use a calculator on the internet from NSW Health or ask the employees at the eatery what number of standard drinks you are drinking.

It’s crucial to remember that different beverages vary in strength; thus, a given beverage volume might include a greater or lesser amount than a standard drink. Even within the same category of beverages, such as beers, there are various strengths (and alcohol content percentages).

The Australian Guidelines state that adults’ daily alcohol consumption shouldn’t exceed four standard drinks, and their weekly alcohol intake must not exceed ten standard drinks. According to data, 25% of Australians surpassed the safe alcohol guideline in 2020-21.

Alcohol use is not recommended for those under 18 or when pregnant. It is best for your infant if you avoid alcohol while nursing.

Knowing When to Stop
There are several signs you may be drinking too much, and it’s time to stop or reduce your alcohol intake. These signs include:

● Having to consume more alcohol than usual to experience its effects.
● Desiring to drink right away in the morning.
● Concealing your drinking habits and often drinking alone.
● Disagreements about your beverage with loved ones.
● Thinking about your upcoming beverage.
● Nausea, headaches, or sleeplessness if you refrain from drinking.

Set up a consultation with your local doctor if you are concerned about your connection with alcohol, or look for an online doctor in Australia to help you reduce your reliance on alcohol.

Following are some advice for lowering the health risks associated with alcohol consumption:

● Never drink alcohol on an empty stomach.
● Follow up each alcoholic beverage with a non-alcoholic one.
● Set limits for the number of drinks you’re allowed to have.
● Verify the number of standard drinks within your drink.
● Get a drink of water instead of a drink if you’re thirsty.
● Avoid drinking to deal with stress, worry, or restless sleep.

If you think your alcohol use is becoming a problem, make an appointment with an online GP to create long-term management strategies.

Want to go Cold Turkey?
If you drink frequently or have developed alcohol dependence, talk to an online GP before reducing your alcohol consumption.

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms include nausea, vomiting, anxiety, sweating, migraines, disorientation and seizures. Therefore, if you’re an avid drinker, it’s better to cut down on liquor with the guidance and supervision of a specialised medical practitioner.

What Alcohol Can Do to Your Liver
The term “alcohol-related liver disease” (ARLD) describes liver damage brought on by excessive alcohol use. Additionally, there are multiple intensity gradations and a variety of related symptoms.

Typically, ARLD doesn’t show signs until your liver is seriously injured. The following signs may appear when this occurs:

● Feeling ill
● Losing weight
● Reduced appetite
● Jaundice (the yellowing of one’s eyes and skin)
● Ankle edema
● Stomach discomfort
● Sleepiness
● Releasing blood through your stool
● Vomiting blood

As a result, when testing for other illnesses or sometimes at the more severe stages of liver damage, people often find out they have this disease.

Inform your online GP if you often use alcohol in excess so they may determine if the liver is affected.

Medical illnesses can take a toll on the patient and their loved ones. Make sure you keep your health in check by talking to online doctors in Australia and getting pathology referrals to get yourself tested routinely.