Q&A: Alcohol and liver disease

Another study has reported large increases in the number of people dying from liver disease.

Obviously, misuse of alcohol is a prime factor behind the rise, but doctors are concerned about the future impact of viruses such as hepatitis C.

What is the liver?

The liver is the largest organ in the body, and one of its most complex.

It performs more than 400 functions that are needed to keep the body healthy.

These include removing or chemically changing drugs, alcohol, and other substances that may be harmful or toxic to the body

What causes liver disease?

As the liver is such a complicated organ, it can be affected by a wide range of disease.

Fortunately, most of these are rare.

Among the most common are: hepatitis, cirrhosis, cancer and alcohol-related disease.

Heavy drinking over a prolonged period is a significant risk-factor for liver disease.

Why are the rates of these diseases rising in the UK?

The number of people drinking heavily in the UK is high compared with many other European countries.

One survey suggested that 35% of single men, and 21% of single women now drink in excess of safe limits recommended by experts.

Binge drinking is also a major problem in the UK.

However, drinking rates do not explain the surge in liver disease over the past decade.

It's now suggested that infection with the hepatitis C virus - which can remain in the body for decades without giving symptoms - may be to blame.

It's thought that heavy drinking, in conjunction with underlying damage caused by the virus over time adds up to far worse liver problems for the patient.

Experts believe that the rise in intravenous drug use, and needle-sharing, during the 1970s and 1980s, led to many people being infected with hepatitis C without realising it.

It is only now that the results of that are being felt.

What will happen to these patients?

Liver failure is the end result of long-term liver disease in many cases.

At this point, a transplant may be required or the patient will die.

Unfortunately, the supply of transplant livers is extremely limited, and falling steadily.

Patients may face a long wait before a liver becomes available, and many do not survive long enough to reach this point.

The latest research suggests Asians may be more prone to death from liver disease. Why?

The research focused on an area of the west Midlands with a high Asian population.

No-one knows exactly why this group of people appears to be vulnerable to liver disease.

Drinking habits among certain Asian communities are comparable with white groups.

However, it is possible that some Asian populations may have genetic differences that make them more prone to liver damage if they drink heavily.