Liver disease kills more Americans due to excess alcohol intake
- 6 years ago
UNITED STATES — A study published in the British Medical Journal states that more young people are dying from liver disease than in the past.
Data from the CDC shows the number of 24-34 year olds who died due to alcohol-related liver disease has nearly tripled between 1999-2016 — from 259 in 1999 to 767 in 2016.
Dr. Elliot Tapper, who co-wrote the study, believes that it may have something to do with the global financial crisis … as a "loss of opportunity" and "psychological burden" may have led some to "abusive drinking."
According to the study, ethnic groups such as whites, Native Americans and Hispanic Americans saw an increase of liver-related deaths while Asian Americans saw a decrease.
Binge drinking is defined by the CDC as drinking five or more "standard drinks" in a few hours for men and four for women.
The CDC warns that drinking too much alcohol can cause liver cancer and may also cause liver cirrhosis.
However, Dr. Tapper did have some encouraging news: liver disease is often reversible. The sooner the patients stop drinking, the better their chances of recovering.
Data from the CDC shows the number of 24-34 year olds who died due to alcohol-related liver disease has nearly tripled between 1999-2016 — from 259 in 1999 to 767 in 2016.
Dr. Elliot Tapper, who co-wrote the study, believes that it may have something to do with the global financial crisis … as a "loss of opportunity" and "psychological burden" may have led some to "abusive drinking."
According to the study, ethnic groups such as whites, Native Americans and Hispanic Americans saw an increase of liver-related deaths while Asian Americans saw a decrease.
Binge drinking is defined by the CDC as drinking five or more "standard drinks" in a few hours for men and four for women.
The CDC warns that drinking too much alcohol can cause liver cancer and may also cause liver cirrhosis.
However, Dr. Tapper did have some encouraging news: liver disease is often reversible. The sooner the patients stop drinking, the better their chances of recovering.