Liver Diseases Resulting from Alcohol Essay - 1429 Words

Liver disease resulting from alcohol affects more than two million Americans and is one of the primary causes of illness and death. The liver frees the body of harmful substances, such as alcohol. While the liver breaks down alcohol, it produces toxins that can be even more dangerous than the alcohol consumed (â€Å"Beyond Hangovers: Understanding Alcohols Impact Your Health† 13). â€Å"These by-products damage liver cells, promote inflammation, and weaken the body’s natural defenses. Eventually, these problems can disrupt the body’s metabolism and impair the function of other organs† (â€Å"Beyond Hangovers: Understanding Alcohols Impact Your Health† 13). A condition called steatosis is the result of fat build up in the liver and is the†¦show more content†¦Ã¢â‚¬Å"Each year, acute pancreatitis sends more than 200,000 Americans to the hospital. Many of those who suffer from pancreatic problems are also heavy drinkers† (â€Å"Be yond Hangovers: Understanding Alcohols Impact Your Health† 15). The pancreas is an important organ which aids in digestions and energy conversion. The pancreas directs enzymes to the small intestine to digest nutrients and it also secretes insulin and glucagon. The body’s main source of energy is glucose and insulin allows additional glucose to be stored away in the body properly. Too much alcohol damages cells in the pancreas, causing complications with insulin, leaving the organ open to inflammation. Alcohol causes the pancreas to discharge the enzymes intended for the small intestine back into the pancreas which can lead to inflammation and the swelling of tissues and blood vessels. Pancreatitis is the inflammation which causes the organ to malfunction and if one continues to drink, it can magnify into chronic pancreatitis when the inflammation is constant (â€Å"Beyond Hangovers: Understanding Alcohols Impact Your Health† 15-16). Pancreatitis causing s evere abdominal pain, persistent diarrhea, and is not curable. Sixty-percent of circumstances result from alcohol; although, some have been linked to gallstones (Freeman). The immune system protects the body from harmful germs and bacteria thatShow MoreRelatedAlcoholism Is Not Only A Disease862 Words   |  4 Pages Alcoholism is not only a disease to the alcoholic himself, It also disease to many people including family members. In numerous ways, for instance it appears to cause by the devastating assault of the physiology of the body by repeated episodes of heavy drinking as a result in the competence to feel the alcohol on average. Alcohol normally composition and social pressures may aggravate the disease. 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