When it comes to the liver, he is an out-and-out hard worker, silently suffering from alcohol, but few people care. Do you know that those friends who love alcohol like their lives, every time they drink happily, they may be unable to get along with their livers?
1. Alcohol and the liver: a path of irreversible damage
As the saying goes, "good wine sinks to the bottom of the urn", but have you ever known that once this good wine is excessive, the damage to the liver is heavy, and this damage is often silent and irreversible.
The liver is the chemical factory in our body, and once damaged, those seemingly harmless alcohol molecules become a heavy burden on the liver.
Long-term alcohol consumption will gradually destroy liver cells, liver function will decline, and the risk of liver cirrhosis, fatty liver, and even liver cancer will also increase. Once the liver is damaged, it is not possible to drink some chrysanthemum tea and eat some hepatoprotective drugs to rejuvenate.
Some people may think that after drinking alcohol for so many years, there is no big problem with the liver test, and that is because the liver's strong self-repair ability is temporarily maintaining a superficial calm. Behind this calm, however, is a red flag of a gradual loss of liver function.
2. The miracle of alcohol abstinence: the power of the liver to repair itself
Quitting alcohol may be more difficult for a person who drinks too much, but once you stick to it, the rewards of the liver are unexpected. The liver's ability to repair itself is a miracle of the human body.
As long as you give it a chance, it will slowly return to its original function. In a study at the Royal Free Hospital in London, UK, researchers found that people with different levels of alcohol consumption experienced a decrease in liver stiffness and cytopistin content after one month of abstinence, which means that the health of the liver is improving.
Light drinkers experienced a 14% decrease in liver stiffness and cytovidin levels, and a 6mmHg reduction in systolic blood pressure. And for those who drink more, the improvement is even more obvious:
Moderate drinkers had a 9 mmHg drop in systolic blood pressure, heavy drinkers had a 15% reduction in liver stiffness, a 40 percent drop in cytokine content, and a 10 mmHg drop in systolic blood pressure.
It's not just a numerical change, the subjects also noticed that they lost weight, slept better, and even their skin became smoother.
Studies have also shown that abstaining from alcohol not only reduces damage to the liver, but also reduces the amount and frequency of future alcohol consumption and reduces the number of excessive alcohol consumption.
These benefits are not temporary, but can be sustained. This is enough to show that after you quit drinking, the liver is using its power to tell you: it is still saved, it is slowly getting better.
3. Physical warning: Four major symptoms suggest that it is time for you to quit drinking
When your body starts to send warning signs about long-term drinking, these signs can't be ignored. First and foremost is digestive problems. Long-term alcohol consumption may cause damage to the gastric mucosa, which in turn can cause stomach pain, gastritis and even stomach ulcers.
If you find yourself feeling abdominal discomfort often, or prone to nausea and vomiting after a meal, it could be that your gut is telling you, "That's enough, it's time to stop." ”
The second signal is an endocrine disorder. The liver is the body's chemical factory and is involved in the metabolism of blood sugar and fat. The metabolic stress of alcohol can cause blood sugar fluctuations and even affect the balance of sex hormones, resulting in symptoms such as irregular menstruation and loss of libido.
If you notice weight gain or loss for no apparent reason, or if you feel unusually mood swings, your endocrine system may be calling for help.
The third warning is a persistent feeling of fatigue. Poor liver function can affect the body's energy conversion efficiency, leading to long-term fatigue.
If you find yourself struggling to rejuvenate even with plenty of rest, or feeling exhausted after doing light activity, it may be because your liver is overworked.
Finally, if you feel persistent pain in your abdomen, especially in the upper right side, it could be a sign of an enlarged liver or cirrhosis. The liver does not have pain nerves, but when it is severely damaged, it causes a stretching of the peritoneum, which in turn causes pain.
This pain can be dull or stinging, and if you feel like this, it is best to consult a doctor immediately.
4. Alcohol withdrawal syndrome: a challenge on the road to alcohol withdrawal
The process of quitting alcohol is not all smooth sailing, especially for long-term drinkers, withdrawal syndrome is a challenge that has to be faced.
Withdrawal syndrome may include a range of symptoms such as anxiety, tremors, insomnia, palpitations, etc., which may appear within a few hours of quitting alcohol and may last for days or even weeks.
The severity of these symptoms varies from person to person, and for some heavy drinkers, more severe withdrawal symptoms may include hallucinations, convulsions, and even life-threatening states such as withdrawal epilepsy.
In this case, medical intervention becomes crucial, and medication may be needed to alleviate withdrawal symptoms and be done under the supervision of a doctor.
The psychological challenges should not be underestimated. Alcoholics may experience mood swings, feelings of depression, anxiety, and strong addiction to alcohol. These psychological disorders often require professional counselling and support.
In addition, abstainers also need to relearn how to cope with stress and social activities without alcohol.
5. Improving Psychological Resistance: Psychological Strategies for Quitting Alcohol
In the process of quitting alcohol, in addition to the challenges of physical symptoms, the psychological level of the struggle is also severe. Long-term drinking not only develops physical dependence, but also develops psychological dependence, which makes it more difficult to quit drinking. One of the keys to successful abstinence from alcohol is to build and maintain strong psychological resistance.
The first task is to recognize how alcohol affects mood and behavior. Alcohol is often used as an "assistant" to stress, anxiety, or social situations, and over time, people may lose the ability to handle these situations without alcohol.
Therefore, it is crucial to develop new coping mechanisms, such as deep breathing, meditation, physical activity, or seeking psychological counseling.
In addition, it is essential to have a support system in place. This could be a trusted family member, a friend, a co-worker, or a self-help group and a professional therapist. These individuals not only provide emotional support, but also help abstinents find solutions to complex emotions and psychological impulses.
At the same time, setting realistically achievable goals can be very helpful in staying motivated and monitoring progress. These goals can be short-term (eg, completing the first week of abstinence) or long-term (eg, maintaining sobriety for one year).
Every time you achieve a goal, you should give yourself appropriate rewards to increase your motivation to keep going.
6. Redefining life: Improving the quality of life after abstinence from alcohol
After successful abstinence, individuals experience significant lifestyle changes that often lead to positive health outcomes and improved quality of life.
First, physical health is improved, such as liver function is restored, blood pressure is lowered, and sleep quality is improved. These changes directly enhance the vitality and daily functioning of life.
There will also be a significant improvement in mental state. Abstaining from alcohol can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety and improve mental health. A clear mind can also help people better deal with daily stresses and challenges, enhance decision-making skills, and make individuals perform better at work and in their personal lives.
Social relationships are also often strengthened by abstinence from alcohol. When sober, individuals tend to be able to communicate more honestly with others, repair relationship breakdowns caused by alcoholism, and build healthier and supportive social networks.
summary
With sound strategy, strong determination, and the support of those around them, anyone can successfully quit alcohol and enjoy a healthier, more fulfilling life.
Every challenge in the process of quitting alcohol is actually an opportunity for personal growth and self-discovery. It's not just about giving up a bad habit, it's about re-grasping life and re-understanding of oneself.