If You Find It Hard to Turn Down Drinks During the Holidays... Remember This

[Financial News]  When family members and relatives who have not gathered in a long time keep exchanging offers of "just one more drink," it is easy to end up drinking far more than usual. Even people who do not drink often should be cautious, because consuming large amounts of alcohol over a short period, such as during the holidays, can cause fat to accumulate rapidly in the liver.
Professor Jeong Jae-yoon of the Department of Gastroenterology at Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital, who also serves as a research and clinical affairs director of the Alcohol Research Committee of the Korean Association for the Study of the Liver, explained, "Even otherwise healthy people can rapidly accumulate fat in the liver if they consume large amounts of alcohol over a short period. Those with existing liver disease or obesity, diabetes, or metabolic syndrome may be particularly vulnerable to binge drinking." He added, "However, one or two episodes of binge drinking do not necessarily immediately lead to alcoholic hepatitis; the risk increases as repeated excessive drinking continues."
If a bout of heavy drinking during the holidays results only in temporary fat accumulation, the key factors for people who frequently drink excessively are their cumulative alcohol intake and the duration of their drinking. As alcohol consumption accumulates, the risk rises of progressing beyond fatty liver to hepatitis, liver fibrosis, and cirrhosis.
 
If you already have liver disease, such as fatty liver or hepatitis, the safest course is to avoid alcohol altogether whenever possible, even during the holidays. Alcohol can further increase the risk of liver damage and the progression of fibrosis, particularly when fatty liver is accompanied by metabolic risk factors such as obesity or diabetes. For patients with chronic liver disease, including hepatitis B or C, or cirrhosis, drinking can accelerate the progression of the underlying condition.
Professor Jeong emphasized, "In the long term, it is also important to remember that alcohol is a Group 1 carcinogen associated with various cancers, including liver cancer." He added, "If you already have liver disease, the most important thing is to avoid drinking occasions or maintain abstinence during the holidays."

If you drank more than usual during the holiday break, it is best to stop drinking for a while and give your liver time to recover. Along with abstaining from alcohol, drink plenty of water and restore your disrupted holiday routine through regular meals and adequate sleep.
Professor Jeong advised, "Rather than expecting hangover remedies, certain foods, or health supplements to quickly repair alcohol-related liver damage, you should avoid further drinking and give your body time to recover." He added, "In particular, if you have fatty liver, liver disease, or metabolic risk factors such as obesity or diabetes, or if severe fatigue, loss of appetite, or jaundice continues after the holiday break, you should visit a nearby medical institution to have your liver function checked."




[email protected] Jeong Myeong-jin, Medical Correspondent Reporter