Alcohol-related liver disease is on the rise

Health & Wellness

Alcohol-related liver disease is on the rise

By
Joel Streed

June 30, 2019

A recent study suggests that severe alcohol-related liver disease is on the rise, especially in young adults. There appears to be an increase in those who are at greater risk of cirrhosis, liver cancer and death, according to the study published in JAMA. And the potential cause is binge drinking.

Binge drinking is a pattern of drinking where a male consumes five or more drinks within two hours or a female consumes at least four drinks within two hours. Heavy drinking can cause hepatic steatosis, or increased fat in the liver, and alcoholic hepatitis, or inflammation of the liver. Over time, heavy drinking can cause cirrhosis, which is scarring and destruction of liver tissue.

In this Mayo Clinic Radio podcast, Dr. Doug Simonetto, a Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist and hepatologist, will discuss diagnosis and treatment options for liver disease. Also on the program, Dr. Hector Villarraga, a Mayo Clinic cardiologist, will explain the growing field of cardio-oncology. And Dr. Yonas Geda, a Mayo Clinic neurologist, will share how lifestyle factors can affect brain health.

Here's your Mayo Clinic Radio podcast.