Fatty Liver ( What Next ? ) - British Liver Trust

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Fatty Liver ( What Next ? )

GANDONAS14 profile image
13 Replies

Hi All,

I am not without my own dependency issues but thanks to the people here and the information I have curtailed my cravings, on and off but all good at the moment. I am asking for help with a simple explanation, my friend is recovering in a rehab on weeks 3 and on discharge will most likely not follow an orthodox recovery plan, rather its about doing things that don't involve alcohol intake. He has a fatty liver which was noted during recent bypass surgery , what I want to explain to him is what the next stage of decreased liver function is should he not at least follow recommended guidelines on alcohol , can anyone drop me a quick explanation so that I can hit home the message. Id really appreciate anybody who can advise on this, I just want to use the right words and a clinical warning coming from a trusted friend is what I want to get home. Many Thanks

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13 Replies
ThreeSmiles profile image
ThreeSmiles

Hi Gando

It is hard for us non- medical people to put it succinctly- but I’m sure you will get some excellent replies nevertheless. For me I would refer your friend to these NHS words.

“The type of illnesses you can develop after 10 to 20 years of regularly drinking more than 14 units a week include:

cancers of the mouth, throat and breast

stroke

heart disease

liver disease

brain damage

damage to the nervous system

There's also evidence that regular drinking at high-risk levels can make your mental health worse.”

I hope your friend makes a full recovery and can see the dangers of drinking to “excess”. Good luck to you both 👍.

Miles

GANDONAS14 profile image
GANDONAS14 in reply toThreeSmiles

Hi

Thanks indeed , you are right someone will hit the nail on the head, seems like fatty then fibrosis then cirrhosis is the route. I wish they had given us all this at school !!!

in reply toGANDONAS14

You have a valid point maybe its time that students are informed of alcohol liver related illnesses before they reach the legal age to drink!

I wish you well and I'm sure you will receive many other replies soon.

Take care

Trish

GANDONAS14 profile image
GANDONAS14 in reply to

Hi , indeed yes , Im not sure what the physical education and health and wellbeing regime is like these days, we were shown a cartoon of a penis inserted into a vagina when we were in Primary 6 when we were more interested in playing football , fishing, cycling and playing games in the garden. Then in secondary school received no health education at all and embarked on our alcoholic journeys, it was very common in the West Of Scotland , 15 was the age for cider and fortified wine and then we entered the abyss... my friend in question was one of many. Maybe its different now , just imagine a British Liver Trust roadshow at a major university !

in reply toGANDONAS14

Funny you should mention the sex education comment because I've never forget the day when my 6 or was 7 year old son came home from primary school asking sexual questions after watching a vedio at school .... shocking or what👎 Children of this age should be allowed to be kids and play and enjoy life. However I too knew nothing at the age of 13 /14 and also dont remember getting any sexual education either! This was 50 years ago and I know things have changed!

However now that this subject is not today topic ....maybe there are advisors that do go around schools explaining in depth ....I mean in depth the gory side of drinking alcohol and the horrid damage it causes to your liver and other possible organs as not all students are definately not aware of the potential health risks including my two grown ups who like to party like most. (Please note I'm no party pooper and alcohol is not bad in extreme small quantities on the odd ocassion)

I'm a great believer in showing students the real damage ... the scary reality ..... not the odd slide show once year.

Maybe students should get to know someone who is poorly and write a case study exercise on what they've learnt as part of there curriculum.....

Oh well time to get off my soap box !

Shropshirelass ,

Laura009 profile image
Laura009 in reply toGANDONAS14

Hi Yes thats basically the order of things. By the cirrhosis stage if alcohol is still being consumed you WILL die prematurely.

I agree the truth about alcohol should be taught in schools and great idea .... liver trust visit the universities ? Yes please. My daughter was put off doing an arts course there because of the dreadful reputation of booze culture they have .

Laura

GANDONAS14 profile image
GANDONAS14 in reply toLaura009

Thanks and Im pretty clear now on what I am going to talk to him about , he did have some enzyme tests ALT 27 ALP50 Bilirubin13 Albumin46 and GGT163 on week 2 of detox but wasn't really sure of any significance ?

Laura009 profile image
Laura009 in reply toGANDONAS14

AyrshireK is the best person to give answers regarding test results.

Best of luck with your friend

Laura

AyrshireK profile image
AyrshireK in reply toLaura009

I am not qualified to give answers on test results. The British Liver Trust has pages of information about and explaining the various liver tests. britishlivertrust.org.uk/in...

Katie

Laura009 profile image
Laura009 in reply toAyrshireK

Ah, thanks Katie x

Hi,

You have had some great replies from Laura and Miles. We also have a publication 'Alcohol and liver disease' which you could print out and show your friend?

britishlivertrust.org.uk/in...

Best wishes

Trust1

GANDONAS14 profile image
GANDONAS14 in reply to

Hello,

Thanks so much, Ive read and printed this, its really useful.

Graham

in reply toGANDONAS14

You are most welcome Graham.

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