Am I At Risk Of Getting ARLD (Alcohol-related Liver Disease)?

Do you drink large amounts of alcohol in a short time (for women, 4 or more drinks on one occasion; for men, 5 or more drinks on one occasion)?

Do you drink more than the recommended alcohol limits for many years (for women, 8 or more drinks per week; for men, 15 or more drinks per week)?

Are you overweight or obese?

Are you a woman?

Are you an African-American or Hispanic man?

Have you unintentionally lost weight (clothes, belts and jewelry seem to become looser over time)?

Are you skinny or malnourished (your body mass index is below 20)?

Do you have a pre-existing liver condition, such as hepatitis C?

Do any of your family members have problems with alcohol abuse and alcoholism?

Based on your answers you have a low risk of getting ARLD (alcohol-related liver disease). ARLD is a medical condition that is characterized by liver damage due to excess alcohol intake. It is a major public health problem in America, as it is estimated that about 8 to 10 percent of the population drinks heavily. Women are more susceptible to liver damage from alcohol than men. People who drink within the recommended limits (one drink a day for women and two drinks a day for men) will usually not develop ARLD. However, people with the pre-existing liver condition should not drink alcohol to avoid worsening the disease.

Based on your answers you have a moderate risk of getting ARLD (alcohol-related liver disease). ARLD is a condition that refers to liver damage caused by drinking too much alcohol. Your liver is an important organ that breaks down and removes alcohol from the body. During this complex process, some liver cells can be damaged. Your liver has the ability to regenerate and recover, but it needs a "break" from alcohol. However, if you constantly ingest new amounts of alcohol, your liver will not have time to recover, which will lead to serious liver damage. Almost all heavy drinkers will develop a fatty liver.

Based on your answers you have a high risk of getting ARLD (alcohol-related liver disease). ARLD is liver damage that is caused by excessive alcohol consumption. Prolonged heavy drinking can lead to varying degrees of liver damage, such as fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, or liver cirrhosis. The only way to prevent further liver damage is to stop drinking. This very often requires the support of family and friends, individual or group counseling as well as participation in a group, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Certain dietary changes, as well as vitamin and nutritional supplements, can help you gain weight and feel better.