Liver Diseases Resulting from Alcohol Essay

The pathophysiology of alcoholism begins after alcohol the ingestion of alcohol. It is absorbed and unaltered through the stomach and intestines. Next it is distributed throughout the body through the blood and absorbed by all tissues and fluids (Huether, 2012, p. 72). Furthermore, in the liver the alcohol blood content is metabolized into acetaldehyde by the enzymes process of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), the microsomal ethanol oxidizing system (MEOS), and catalase (Huether & McCance, 2012). Next, the metabolizing effects the central nervous system (CNS) and exhibits a depressant action. It is first expressed in the subcortical structures of the brain. This has an effect of disorientation of motor skills and intellect. With an increase in blood alcohol concentration, the medullary centers become depressed and as a result affects respiration (Huether & McCance, 2012). In addition, the effects of alcoholism encourage hepatic and gastric changes. The hepatic effect is caused by acetaldehyde, in which, induces inflammation, fatty deposits and enlargement of the liver (Huether & McCance, 2012).

The pathophysiology of Alcohol affects virtually every organ system in the body. Therefore, consuming to much alcohol in high

The foundation for a Drug Free World (2017) outlines the effects of binge drinking for an individual, including drowsiness, vomiting, and liver disease. Valley Sleep Centre (2016) suggests that alcohol causes drowsiness, due to alcohol’s sedative effect (substance that relieves anxiety and helps you fall asleep). On the other hand, New Health Advisor (2014) exclaims that vomiting is caused by the excessive consumption of alcohol, and it is the reaction to get rid of the extreme amount of alcohol in the body’s system. Alcoholic cirrhosis, a type of liver disease is considered by Patient (2015) to be when the liver loses its capability to function efficiently, and is caused by around 10 years of heavy

The liver also develops cirrhosis, a disease that is normally seen in alcoholics. "A person who has not had a alcoholic beverage in their life, but who eats a diet high in High Fructose Corn Syrup ends up having a liver that is similar to that of an alcoholic” (Piersal).

Gil’s assessment, we can look back to see the relatable factors. First, Hispanics usually carry high rates of abstinence from alcohol than other ethnicities, but those that do consume alcohol, often have higher rates of binge drinking (NIH, 2017). Not only does higher rates of binge drinking occur, but Hispanics also have a higher risk for developing alcohol-related liver disease, more so than whites (NIH, 2017). His health history shows that he, at times, consumes alcohol excessively, which is one of the main causes of cirrhosis (Nordqvist, 2015). Excessive consumption of alcohol for men is considered as drinking more than 21 units per week (Nordqvist, 2015). His chronic back pain is showing to affect his physical activity and although an evaluation should be done to see its underlying cause, this is a typical finding in ascites (Health Reference Center, 2017). Ascites is an accumulation of fluid within the abdominal cavity, which is a common complication of cirrhosis. His diagnosis of hyperlipidemia may cause fat to gather in the liver and lead to worsening of the disease (NIH, 2017). His stressful living situation can have a negative impact, physically and mentally, to the body. Stress releases natural killer cells (NKT) that expand in the liver (Franciscus, 2015). This contributes to worsening of liver disease by causing cell death (Franciscus, 2015). Sometimes impaired blood flow can be detected by the part of the brain, controlling

Over 2.5million people die every year to excessive alcohol use. Furthermore, alcohol is responsible for one in ten deaths of working age adults aged twenty to sixty four. Excessive drinking by the CDC is more than one glass a day for a woman and more than two glasses a day for a man. Also, drinking any while under the age or pregnant is classified as excessive drinking(“Alcohol Use and Your Health”). On top of the benefits becoming negative effects quickly, excessive drinking also comes with many more side effects. Excessive drinking damages the brain, heart, liver, pancreas, and the immune system. Brain cells are lost along with loss of thinking and coordination. Heart beat, heart muscles, and blood pressure can be effected. A variety of liver problems and inflammations. The Pancreas produces unwanted toxins eventually leading to pancreatitis. Lastly the immune system is weakened, making the body a much easier target for disease and slowing the body’s ability to ward off infections – even up to 24 hours after getting drunk(“Alcohol's Effects on the

How Drinking Causes Gut Microbe Imbalance Linked to Liver Disease is an article that builds on the common knowledge that alcohol consumption damages the liver. The liver is the organ in the body that filters out everything in your bloodstream that may harm you, for example alcohol. It also produces a substance called bile that breaks down lipids. For these reasons, the liver is a very important organ in the digestive system in the body and this article shows how alcohol damages it.

In Whiting S. Albert’s article “Alcohol Use Is Harmful” he stated that alcohol is a chemical that contains hydrogen and carbon. Whiting stated further that the active ingredient of alcohol is ethyl alcohol, which is also known as ethanol. Alcohol is one of the few things that human being consume that do not need digestion. Alcohol appears the bloodstream immediately, thus, its intoxicating effects are felt instantly (1). “High levels of mortality, morbidity, and social malaise are associated with abuse of alcohol, and increasing numbers of women and youth are abusing alcohol” (Ferreira and Darryn 1). “Alcohol slows down the function of all living cells, especially those in the brain” (Whiting 1), which causes thinking to be impaired. Alcohol is probably the most used drug worldwide. “Three in ten adults 18 years of age and over have had alcoholism and/or engaged in alcohol abuse at some point in their lives …” (“Impact of Alcoholism” 1). According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,

Alcoholic fatty liver (steatosis) can lead to cirrhosis and is caused by ingestion of more than one alcoholic drink (14 grams of alcohol) per day for women and two alcoholic drinks (28 grams of alcohol) per day for men (McCance & Heuther, 2014). Intravenous drug use, unprotected sexual intercourse as well as blood transfusions can lead to the transmission of Hepatitis B and C viruses.

The liver is the organ responsible for filtering chemicals and metabolizing drugs. It also makes proteins responsible for blood clotting and other functions. When alcohol reaches the liver, it produces a dangerous enzyme known as acetaldehyde. The liver needs water to do its basic functions. Alcohol acts as a diuretic and dehydrates the body, depriving the liver of the water it needs to function. When acetaldehyde and other alcoholic toxins build up in the liver, they can cause a variety of health problems.

A lot like the brain, large amounts of alcohol can confuse the pancreas causing it to secrete enzymes internally instead of sending them to the small intestines. Confirming to Medical Daily “The buildup of enzymes in the pancreas will eventually cause inflammation. This inflammation, also known as pancreatitis” (Alcohol’s Effects On The Body). It can occur as a sudden attack that includes symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting, increase heart rate, diarrhea, and fever or chronic pancreatitis which slowly deteriorates the pancreas, leading to diabetes and even death.

Acute pancreatitis what is? Inflammation of the pancreas that produces exocrine and endocrine dysfunction with clinical manifestations that range from mild to severe and often mimic other disorders. The two most common causes for acute pancreatitis are gallstone migration and alcoholism. We will discuss outcomes for a patient with said gastrointestinal alterations. What problems and risk we may need to mange for the patient. How to respond to said problems or risk. Interventions for the problems/risk, optimal functioning, safety, and well-being for the patient. Anticipated education for the patient and whether or not there are age or culture factors they may hinder our plan of care?

The abuse of alcohol over long periods of time may also cause diseases such as cirrhosis, acute alcohol hepatitis, and the most severe liver disease. Cirrhosis is a disease in which the liver becomes so scarred that the patient lacks sufficient healthy tissue to perform the organ?s functions. Once you?ve got it, you are stuck with it. (Gross, 6) The worst thing about these diseases is that you will not know you have them unless you are medically examined on a regular basis. Alcohol consumption is a large contributor to the development of several types of cancer- mostly dealing with the neck and brain. We know that cancer kills and therefore it is safe to say that in some cases, alcohol can be deadly. It is important to realize that alcoholism is a disease. A heavy drinker will experience the effects of withdrawal syndrome (which include hypertension, anxiety, disorientation, hallucinations, and seizures) if he decides to stop drinking. Being addicted to alcohol is similar to being addicted to any other drug in that once one starts using, it is tough to live without. It is also a ?gateway drug? just as marijuana and other sedatives. (Bennett, Woolf, 13-23)

Alcohol has no beneficial attributes on a person’s health. Alcohol can have several harmful effects on human organs. Some organs in the human body that are damaged by alcohol consumption are the brain, kidneys, and liver. The human liver is the one organ that suffers the most damage. As stated in an article published by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, “Because the liver is the chief organ responsible for metabolizing alcohol, it is especially vulnerable to alcohol – related injury” (NIAAA, 2005). Regular use of alcohol can lead to alcoholic liver disease (ALD). The severity of ALD can vary based on several different factors. Some of these factors include gender, age, the amount consumed, and how often alcohol is used. “ALD includes three conditions: fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis” (Alcohol Alert, 2005).

"Many alcoholics exhibit swollen and tender livers. The prolonged use of large amounts of alcoholism without adequate diet may cause serious liver damage, such as