According to the National Liver Foundation the liver in the largest organ in the body weighing about three pounds. It is approximately the same size as a football (http://www.liverfoundation.org, para 1). The liver has many important functions including the production of clotting factors, blood, proteins, and bile. It also stores energy to fuel muscles. Another job of the liver is to maintain normal blood sugar concentration. The liver is also responsible for detoxification of drugs and poisons including alcohol (http://www.liverfoundation.org, para 3).
Each year cirrhosis kills over 25,000 people (http://www.learn-about-cirrhosis.com, para 1). Cirrhosis is term that refers to the results of chronic liver diseases in which liver cells are damaged and then replaced by scar tissue. This damage of scar tissue interferes with the blood flow through the liver. This can lead to failure of the liver and affect its performance of many important bodily functions (http://www.liverfoundation.org, para 5).
The excessive consumption of alcohol is one of the top causes of cirrhosis (http://www.learn-about-cirrhosis.com, para 4). It is found that ten to fifteen percent of alcoholics have cirrhosis when they die (http://www.learn-about-cirrhosis.com, para 5). One of the most important functions of the liver is to break down toxins. Alcohol is one of these toxins, but too much alcohol can damage the liver cells as they try to destroy the toxin. These cells then become inflamed and die. This degenerative process then results in cirrhosis (http://www.learn-about-cirrhosis.com, para 6).
Most people who drink excessive amounts of alcohol will develop some form of liver damage not everyone will develop cirrhosis. If an individual drinks one-half to one pint (8 to 16 ounces) of hard liquor each day, for 15 years or more they are among the one-third of people who will develop cirrhosis. Another third will develop fatty livers and everyone else will have only minor problems with their liver (http://www.liverfoundation.org, para 7).
It is also possible for individuals who are only considered social drinkers to get cirrhosis. There are several factors that can play a part in the situation. These factors can include the amount of alcohol consumed and the regularity of the intake. The individual’s nutritional outlook can also play are part in the disease (http://www.liverfoundation.org, para 8).
I believe that both of these articles are correct in saying that excessive alcohol use can cause cirrhosis. I believe there is enough evidence to show a correlation between alcohol and the disease. On the other hand we must also take into account many other factors.
There is no explanation why some people who drink excessively will get cirrhosis and some may not. In some cases people who do not drink excessively will get the disease. This tells us that there are many other factors to consider as well. One major factor to consider is if the individual as any other diseases. Though excessive alcohol intake is the leading cause of cirrhosis it is not the only one. Chronic vial hepatitis, types B, C, and D can also cause the disease. Another cause may be primary biliary cirrhosis, which is an autoimmune liver disease that primarily affects women (http://www.liverfoundation.org, para 5). These are just a few examples of other causes of the disease. Since there are several other causes for cirrhosis it is important to see if any of these other causes are also present.
There are many signs and symptoms of cirrhosis even though in the beginning they may be very difficult to detect. As the disease progresses a few of the symptoms a person may experience are a loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, weight loss, jaundice, itching, or even an increased sensitivity to drugs(http://www.liverfoundation.org, para 12).
I believe that the best conclusion to draw from there articles is that the more alcohol an individual consumes the greater their chances of getting the disease. If someone is not health conscience or has any other diseases they are only adding to the odds that they will get cirrhosis. Someone who takes the time to educate themselves on the disease and to take care of their body is less likely to develop the disease.
References
The American Liver Foundation (2003). Cirrhosis: Many Causes. Retrieved
October 31, 2003 from the World Wide Web
http://www.liverfoundation.org/db/articles/1059
About Cirrhosis of the Liver-Facts and Information (2003). Learn About
Cirrhosis. Retrieved from the World Wide Web October 31, 2003 from
http://www.learn-about-cirrhosis.com/
Alcoholism and Cirrhosis
According to the National Liver Foundation the liver in the largest organ in the body weighing about three pounds. It is approximately the same size as a football (http://www.liverfoundation.org, para 1). The liver has many important functions including the production of clotting factors, blood, proteins, and bile. It also stores energy to fuel muscles. Another job of the liver is to maintain normal blood sugar concentration. The liver is also responsible for detoxification of drugs and poisons including alcohol (http://www.liverfoundation.org, para 3).
Each year cirrhosis kills over 25,000 people (http://www.learn-about-cirrhosis.com, para 1). Cirrhosis is term that refers to the results of chronic liver diseases in which liver cells are damaged and then replaced by scar tissue. This damage of scar tissue interferes with the blood flow through the liver. This can lead to failure of the liver and affect its performance of many important bodily functions (http://www.liverfoundation.org, para 5).
The excessive consumption of alcohol is one of the top causes of cirrhosis (http://www.learn-about-cirrhosis.com, para 4). It is found that ten to fifteen percent of alcoholics have cirrhosis when they die (http://www.learn-about-cirrhosis.com, para 5). One of the most important functions of the liver is to break down toxins. Alcohol is one of these toxins, but too much alcohol can damage the liver cells as they try to destroy the toxin. These cells then become inflamed and die. This degenerative process then results in cirrhosis (http://www.learn-about-cirrhosis.com, para 6).
Most people who drink excessive amounts of alcohol will develop some form of liver damage not everyone will develop cirrhosis. If an individual drinks one-half to one pint (8 to 16 ounces) of hard liquor each day, for 15 years or more they are among the one-third of people who will develop cirrhosis. Another third will develop fatty livers and everyone else will have only minor problems with their liver (http://www.liverfoundation.org, para 7).
It is also possible for individuals who are only considered social drinkers to get cirrhosis. There are several factors that can play a part in the situation. These factors can include the amount of alcohol consumed and the regularity of the intake. The individual’s nutritional outlook can also play are part in the disease (http://www.liverfoundation.org, para 8).
I believe that both of these articles are correct in saying that excessive alcohol use can cause cirrhosis. I believe there is enough evidence to show a correlation between alcohol and the disease. On the other hand we must also take into account many other factors.
There is no explanation why some people who drink excessively will get cirrhosis and some may not. In some cases people who do not drink excessively will get the disease. This tells us that there are many other factors to consider as well. One major factor to consider is if the individual as any other diseases. Though excessive alcohol intake is the leading cause of cirrhosis it is not the only one. Chronic vial hepatitis, types B, C, and D can also cause the disease. Another cause may be primary biliary cirrhosis, which is an autoimmune liver disease that primarily affects women (http://www.liverfoundation.org, para 5). These are just a few examples of other causes of the disease. Since there are several other causes for cirrhosis it is important to see if any of these other causes are also present.
There are many signs and symptoms of cirrhosis even though in the beginning they may be very difficult to detect. As the disease progresses a few of the symptoms a person may experience are a loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, weight loss, jaundice, itching, or even an increased sensitivity to drugs(http://www.liverfoundation.org, para 12).
I believe that the best conclusion to draw from there articles is that the more alcohol an individual consumes the greater their chances of getting the disease. If someone is not health conscience or has any other diseases they are only adding to the odds that they will get cirrhosis. Someone who takes the time to educate themselves on the disease and to take care of their body is less likely to develop the disease.
References
The American Liver Foundation (2003). Cirrhosis: Many Causes. Retrieved
October 31, 2003 from the World Wide Web
http://www.liverfoundation.org/db/articles/1059
About Cirrhosis of the Liver-Facts and Information (2003). Learn About
Cirrhosis. Retrieved from the World Wide Web October 31, 2003 from
http://www.learn-about-cirrhosis.com/
