Dear Reader,

Heavy and chronic drinking cause the liver to become fatty and this fat infiltration chokes off the supply of blood that delivers oxygen and other nutrients to liver cells causing them to eventually die. They are replaced with connective or scar tissue a nd this is called cirrhosis. This results in a drinker's reduced ability to tolerate the drug because there are progressively fewer liver cells to metabolize it. Genetic make-up plays a big role in one's susceptibility to this condition. Some alcohol us ers develop symptoms of cirrhosis after just a few years of consuming 3-4 drinks a day, while other heavy drinkers never suffer from this potential killer.

The liver performs so many vital functions that we cannot live without it. It is the largest single organ in the body and it handles the majority of the blood that flows from the intestinal tract back to the heart; stores glygogen, the body's storage fo rm of sugar for energy; and breaks down toxic compounds that occur with the body's metabolism It is very important to "take care of your liver!"

Warning signs of cirrhosis include jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes) and the back-up of fluid in the abdomen and lower extremities. At university health services, physicians have seen cirrhosis in men as young as 19-20 who started drinking heavily in their early teens. Here are some healthy drinking guidelines designed to reduce alcohol-related problems:

• 1) know that if your family has a history of alcohol and other drug use, you may be more susceptible to abuse;

• 2) limit your alcohol intake to no more than two drinks per day; and,

• 3) drink for positive reasons like a celebration, instead of relying on alcohol to relieve stress and depression.

The National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information [(301)-468-2600] has free information and resources about alcohol-related health topics including disease and abuse prevention.

Alice

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