How drinkers gamble with their health

The Guardian:

Cirrhosis of the liver What is it: Cirrhosis is scarring of the liver that involves the formation of fibrous tissue associated with the destruction of the normal state of the organ. Symptoms: The symptoms depend on the extent of damage to the liver. Initially patients may experience tiredness, weakness, nausea and weight loss. In the later stages they may suffer jaundice (yellowing of the skin), fluid retention (in the legs or abdomen), abnormal blood vessels (red face), easy bruising (and nosebleeds) and enlargement of the breasts in men. Complications can include liver cancer, impotence and blood poisoning. Treatment: The damage to the liver cannot be repaired but symptoms can be relieved and complications reduced — for example, with drugs to reduce the risk of bleeding from abnormal blood vessels. Transplantation may be considered in patients with end-stage cirrhosis. Outlook: Only 30 per cent of people with this condition live more than five years after diagnosis and the outlook is worse if the cause is alcohol and the patient continues to drink. About 10 per cent develop liver cancer, which is fatal within a few months.

Pancreatitis What is it: Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas — a gland that produces insulin — needed to control blood sugar levels, and enzymes needed for digestion of food.

Symptoms: The symptoms are attacks of extreme pain with vomiting, often triggered by a bout of heavy drinking. These may last for hours or even days. About half of sufferers also go on to develop diabetes. Treatment: Patients must avoid alcohol. Mild pain can be treated with paracetomol, while more severe attacks can be relieved with morphine. In rare cases surgery may be considered for patients with chronic pancreatitis, which involves partial or complete removal of the pancreas. Outlook: Nearly one in 10 cases of acute pancreatitis is fatal and survivors may still suffer severe pain even if they abstain from alcohol. Only half of patients with chronic pancreatitis survive for longer than seven years following diagnosis. Depression What is it: Alcohol in large quantities produces a depressant effect on people’s mood. Symptoms: The symptoms of depression include losing interest in normal activities, hobbies and everyday life, difficulty sleeping, poor appetite, weight loss, low sex drive, poor concentration. Feeling tired, tense, irritable, anxious, inadequate and hopeless. Treatment: Patients are usually required to reduce their alcohol consumption first. Then they are often prescribed antidepressants and usually have to undergo counselling. Outlook: If untreated, depression can lead to thoughts of suicide. The lack of self-control, compromised judgment and impulsiveness from the alcohol misuse can increase the chances of someone attempting suicide.

Heart conditions Heavy drinking — particularly binge drinking — is a common cause of high blood pressure (hypertension). People with high blood pressure face increased risk of coronary heart disease and stroke. Treatment: Patients are encouraged to adopt a healthier lifestyle, including moderating their alcohol consumption, eating a healthy diet, stopping smoking and taking regular exercise. Symptoms: Symptoms of heart attack include sudden chest pain, possibly radiating to the left arm, hands, jaw, ear, stomach or the right arm; severe and spontaneous breathing difficulties; fainting or severe dizziness. Outlook: Failure to adopt a healthy lifestyle can increase the risk of heart attacks and heart failure.