1. Alcohol and the Liver
By: Talal Itani

2. The Effects of Alcohol on the Body
Alcohol has negative effects on many organs in the body, including:
Brain: Brain damage as a result of excessive drinking.
Pancreas: Can lead to the inflammation of the pancreas.
Heart: Can cause hypertension.
Stomach: Stomach ulcers and stomach cancer
Liver: An inflamed Liver can lead to a variety of different harmful repercussions.

3. Function of the Liver
The liver has many functions, however the most important function pertaining to alcohol is detoxification.
The liver detoxifies and breaks down harmful molecules, these molecules are found in alcohol.

4. Harmful Effects on the Liver
If the liver cannot detoxify at the rate of consumption, liver cells can be killed or altered, which can lead to:
Fatty Liver
Necrosis
Alcoholic Hepatitis
Alcoholic Cirrhosis
These conditions are said to be sequential, with one condition leading to the next, however this is not always true.

5. Fatty Liver Accumulation of fats in the liver cells.
Reversible and not as harmful as other effects on the liver, still, it can lead to necrosis.
This occurs through:
Consumption of alcohol
Accumulation of acetaldehyde (toxic)
Creation of acetic acid
Formation of fatty acids

7. Alcoholic Hepatitis
Result of inflammation and necrosis of the liver tissue.
Damaged tissue can start to replace healthy liver tissue (Fibrosis).
Results in:
Fever
Stomach pain
Yellow skin pigmentation (jaundice)

8. Alcoholic Cirrhosis
Fibrosis (as a result of the depositing of collagen) in the liver harms blood vessels and causes structural damage to the liver.
Hypertension caused by cirrhosis can lead to the failure of the liver as it effects blood vessels connected to the liver.
Can also lead to kidney failure

9. How Much is Too Much?
Alcohol consumption depends on your size (weight and height) and gender.
Men tend to hold their alcohol better than women, as women are generally smaller and have less tissue to absorb alcohol.
Women are more prone to damage than men, as women cannot break down alcohol as quickly and efficiently as men.

10. Bibliography http://www.knowyourlimits.info/TheEffectsOfAlcohol.aspxx
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