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| Alcohol and Hepatitis C | ||||||
| Alcohol plays a major role in social events,from picnics and weddings to holidays, trips and New Year ?s Eve celebrations. However,alcohol consumption can often pose serious health problems for people who have hepatitis C and drink. Those with hepatitis C who drink regularly are at a greater risk for liver damage. It is important for veterans with hepatitis C to be educated on the risks of alcohol intake and to have the right information they need about alcohol and liver damage. Research has shown that alcohol affects the overall functioning of the liver and how the liver processes medications.Various studies indicate that alcohol works to speed up the process of liver damage, makes your hepatitisC infection worse and can lead to severe scarring of the liver or liver cancer. Additionally, taking medications while drinking alcohol can severely reduce the effectiveness of thosemedications. According to the National Institutesof Health (NIH), a history of alcohol abuse is not a reason to be excluded from hepatitis C treatment. Alcohol abstinenceis strongly recommended before and during antiviral therapy (NIH,2002). | ||||||
| While coping with hepatitis C can be a challenge for many veterans, there are many things they can do to protect their liver. If you or someone you know has hepatitis C, one of the most important things you can do to prevent further liver damage is to reduce or stop drinking alcohol. Beer, wine and other liquor can badly damage your liver. | ||||||
| Changing or modifying your behaviors will also greatly affect the overallwell-being of your liver. By reducing or eliminating your alcohol intake, getting vaccinated for hepatitis A and hepatitis B, and being cautious when taking medications you can contribute to your liver's and your body's good health. Moreover, certain medications can greatly affect the condition of your liver. For example, over-the-counter medications for headaches and cold symptoms, as well as some herbal remedies, can be harmful to your liver. Prescription drugs can also have a negative impact if misused, so it's important to be fully aware of these risks and to talk with your doctor before taking any medications. HOME |
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