Alcoholic Liver Disease (ALD)

Liver disease related to alcohol (Ethanol, ethyl alcohol) is very common global problem and is one of the major medical complications of alcohol abuse. Daily consumption is usual for causation of liver disease. Intake of alcohol is measured as one unit. Each unit contains 8 gm of ethanol and variable in various common beverages, e.g. 1/2 pint of beer, 1 measure of spirit, 1 glass wine or sherry. Risk depends on amount and frequency: high risk–160 gm/day, moderate– 80 gm/day, low–40 gm/day. One unit is eliminated every hour, so spread drinking with food delays absorption and keeps lower blood level of alcohol. The absorption of alcohol is lower when consuming low concentration beverages such as beer compared with high concentration spirits. Apart from liver and pancreas, alcohol affects multiple organs, CNS, muscles, CVS, GI, metabolic, endocrine, blood, bone. Safe limit for alcohol consumption remains controversial. However, Royal College of Physicians, UK guidelines mentioned 21 units/week for men and 14 units/week for women.