The Public Health Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine has informed Ukrainians how alcohol harms the human liver when consumed excessively. This is reported by UNN with reference to the PHC.
Details
According to estimates by the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2019, approximately 2.6 million people died due to alcohol consumption, and another 209 million people, or 3.7% of the world's adult population, lived with alcohol dependence.
At the same time, according to a survey of the adult population of Ukraine conducted by the Public Health Center in 2024, 72% of the population consumed at least one standard alcoholic beverage during the year. Of these, 2.8% did so daily.
Excessive alcohol consumption causes the following diseases:
- fatty liver disease (steatosis). Occurs when regular alcohol consumption leads to impaired fat metabolism. Instead of being broken down in liver cells, fats accumulate in the liver in abnormal amounts and disrupt its functions. Doctors advise controlling consumption or completely abstaining from alcohol;
- alcoholic hepatitis. Occurs due to the toxic effects of ethanol breakdown products. As a result of this process, liver cells die and are replaced by connective tissue. Symptoms include jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin), loss of appetite, and fatigue. If the condition worsens, muscle atrophy and fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity (ascites) are possible.
- cirrhosis of the liver. Irreversible liver damage due to scarring of liver tissues. It develops in 8–20% of people with excessive alcohol consumption and can eventually lead to liver cancer.
Recall
Earlier, UNN reported that 122,900 doses of hepatitis B vaccine were delivered to Ukraine for free vaccination of children according to the Vaccination Calendar. The delivery was carried out in cooperation with the Ministry of Health, Gavi, and UNICEF.