Women under 45 are experiencing alcohol-related liver disease (ARLD) at higher rates than ever in the UK.
ONS data from 2018 says that liver-related conditions are among the top three causes of death for women aged 39-45; younger women’s consumption is falling faster, however.
Speaking to the BBC, Dr Fiona Measham, a drink and drug culture professor from the University of Liverpool, said “Women’s drinking pretty much doubled in a really short period of time… about 10 years.”
The NHS says that ARLD has gotten more common among all genders in recent years.
They also point out that most signs of ARLD don’t show up until the condition has progressed to quite a serious stage.
Still, they have some information on early signs ― as well as how to tell if you may be drinking too often, or in a problematic way.
It’s uncommon to notice early symptoms of the condition because it usually has none.
In fact the NHS shared that ARLD is usually only diagnosed when doctors are checking for something else, or when it’s reached an advanced stage.
There are three stages of ARLD; fatty liver disease (which is reversible), alcoholic hepatitis (which is usually reversible), and cirrhosis of the liver (which is not often reversible, but can be halted by stopping alcohol consumption).
Again, ARLD usually only has symptoms when it’s more advanced. These include:
Still, you don’t really want ARLD to get to this stage. If you drink a lot, the NHS says you should ask your GP to check your liver proactively.
That can catch any issues before they develop.
The NHS stresses that sticking to, or under, alcohol intake guidelines can really help.
These are:
“Even if you have been a heavy drinker for many years, reducing or stopping your alcohol intake will have important short-term and long-term benefits for your liver and overall health,” they add.
Drinkaware offers a test to see whether your relationship to alcohol may be unhealthy.
If you’re worried about it, seek help ― you don’t have to manage any concerns alone.
