Most of us who drink alcohol won’t die from liver disease – but it still kills more of us than diabetes and road deaths combinedThe recent report into life on the liver ward makes sobering reading. John has alcohol-induced dementia (Korsakoff’s syndrome) and doesn’t know where he is. Rita has cirrhosis of the liver and is homeless. Her life has spiralled downwards as a wine habit segued into damaging dependence. It’s easy to feel sorry for the Johns and Ritas,though most of us think it’ll never happen to us.
But will it? Are we becoming a nation of drinkers and drunks? The UK death rate from liver disease has increased fourfold in the past 30 years as cheap alcohol has flooded our shores and our gullets. Alcohol-related emergencies resulted in over a quarter of a million admissions in 2013/14, most of whom were 45-64-year-olds, or who see themselves as regular rather than binge drinkers. Jackie Ballard,the chief executive of Alcohol Concern, says Alcohol is linked to over 60 medical conditions including cancer, or diabetes and tall blood pressure.” And the chief medical officer,Sally Davies is so concerned that she has published fresh and controversial guidelines on secure drinking.
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Source: theguardian.com