Why is your liver affected by alcohol use?

Answer 1

Because ethanol (alcohol) is converted to fat in the liver, where it is then stored. Eventually, fatty liver leads to cirrhosis of the liver. Continued drinking may result in unpleasant death.

Answer2:Ethanol, the chemical compound present is most alcoholic drinks, is a neurotoxin-that is, a substance that can damage or destroy the nervous system. Someone who is drunk is in fact suffering from a form of poisoning. In large quantities ethanol causes coma and death. Prolonged exposure to alcohol damages the liver in three stages. During the first stage, the breaking down of ethanol slows the digestion of fats, causing them to build up in the liver. This is called steatohepatitis, or fatty liver.

In time, chronic inflammation of the liver, or hepatitis sets in. While alcohol can cause hepatitis directly, it also appears to lower the body's resistance to hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses. If unchecked, inflammation causes cells to burst and die. Compounding this damage, alcohol seems to trigger the natural system of programmed cell death called apoptosis. The final stage is cirrhosis. This vicious cycle of continuous inflammation and cell destruction cause irreversible scarring. Eventually, the liver becomes lumpy, instead of remaining spongy. Finally, scar tissue prevents blood from flowing normally, leading to liver failure and death. (taken from 10/08/05 Awake magazine on Jehovah's Witnesses official website)

Answer 2

The primary causes for a liver to enlarge include liver failure, an infection, or a buildup of toxins. The liver is directly responsible for filtering the blood and has the unique ability to regenerate itself.

Answer 3

Continual consumption of alcohol in high amounts can cause a fatty liver and cirrhosis, which can end up scarring it and causing it to become enlarged.

Answer 4

It destroys the liver because of the acid that is inside the alchohol. It can eventually destroy your liver enough to kill you!

Answer 5

If you are referring to a "beer gut" it's because they eat and drink so much they gain alot of weight.