England: Most Alcoholic Country in Europe?

Amy Taylor November 22, 2012

The liver is the largest organ inside the human body. It’s responsible for many functions, including the removal of toxins from the blood, producing bile to aid digestion and converting food into energy. There are many causes of liver disease and one of them is too much alcohol intake. While most parts of Europe showed a decline in alcohol consumption, in England, excessive drinking continues to be a major concern, new research reveals.

High levels of drinking fuels liver disease

Three of the most common causes of liver disease – alcohol abuse, hepatitis and obesity are all preventable, said Prof Dame Sally Davies, the chief medical officer for England. In her report, she underlined the significant increase in mortality rates due to liver disease. In just a decade, deaths in people ages 65 increased by 20%.

Her study also included many other health problems including dementia and cancer, but it was liver disease that shocked Prof Davies the most – considering the fact that many countries in Europe have seen rates fall.

She said comprehensive action must be done to discourage people from engaging in harmful lifestyles, such as unhealthy eating and alcohol drinking. The government needs to invest in prevention, diagnosis and treatment, she added.

Earlier this year, the government has already expressed its plans to set a minimum price on all alcoholic beverages in England.

An appalling situation

According to Eric Appleby, chief executive of the charity Alcohol Concern, the situation with the liver disease in the country is very “appalling”. He urged the government and many other organisations to come together and act “swiftly and decisively” to tackle the problem. He favours the minimum pricing of alcohol to 50p.

Other health experts share the same sentiments with Appleby. Prof Mark Bellis, Director of the Centre for Public Health at Liverpool John Moores University, said the figures were embarrassing and that tougher action is necessary on advertising and minimum pricing. Andrew Langford, the chief executive of the British Liver Disease Trust said the government should work hand in hand with the NHS for better outcomes. He argued that GPs must have far more awareness of liver disease and it symptoms, as well as the lifestyle changes that can be done so effective treatments can be started.

In her report, Prof Davies said deaths due to liver disease increased by a fifth between 2000 and 2009 in England – killing 16 people in every 100,000. Other than cutting back on alcohol, experts recommend quitting smoking, eating fruits and vegetables, and exercising to reduce the risk of developing this life-threatening disease.

Dear Readers,

Should the cost of alcohol be raised in the UK? Do you think this would curb the rate of heart disease?

Share your comments below!

Source of this article:

Unhealthy lifestyles ’fuel liver disease rise’