Alcohol is a part of human culture and has been so for several centuries. Alcohol consumption is an important part of socializing. there are some cultures where alcohol is banned, but in most places in the world, it is freely available. Alcohol is addictive in nature, but only to individuals who consume this substance daily. most drinkers are social drinkers and are able to avoid alcohol as and when necessary. however, prolonged exposure to alcohol can causes serious health problems and it is therefore necessary that if you are an addict you need to quit drinking on your own.

The liver is an important and very complicated organ of the human body. It performs several different functions on which the life of an individual depends. One such function of the liver is of detoxification. This is the process that is associated with alcohol consumption. when the body detects alcohol in its blood, it begins to process the blood through the liver in order to filter this substance out of the body. Hepatitis is a condition where the liver is inflamed due to some infection or condition in the body. Alcoholic hepatitis symptoms vary from patient to patient. in many cases, there will be mild or no alcoholic hepatitis symptoms at all. This is the case with most people who are in the process of developing this condition. as the condition progresses, these individuals will experience alcoholic hepatitis symptoms. the most common alcoholic hepatitis symptoms include pain in the liver area and impaired liver function. This may cause fever, jaundice, ascites and many other potentially life threatening conditions. For individuals who have no alcoholic hepatitis symptoms, an examination may show that the liver is partially enlarged. This is a sign that remedial action needs to be take.

An individual who suffers from alcohol induced hepatitis should avoid the consumption of alcohol completely. everyone should realize that alcoholic hepatitis is a life threatening condition and should therefore seek effective tips to give up drinking. It is not wise to risk one’s life in the pursuit of alcohol. there are many ways to stop drinking which should be tried by any individual who is suffering from alcoholic hepatitis. Individuals may choose to quit drinking on their own or to seek the help of support groups and agencies that can help them get over this problem. in some cases, individuals who are suffering from alcohol dependency may need to be forcefully placed into rehabilitation centers. This usually happens when members of the family or friends circle have had enough of the individual being continuously drunk.

Alcoholic hepatitis treatment depends on the extent to which the liver has been damaged. the liver is a vital organ that cannot be treated if it is damaged beyond a certain point. an individual will also not be able to survive without a liver that is at least partially functional. Liver transplants are possible, but these are usually not given to patients with a history of alcohol abuse simply because there is a good chance that this organ donation will be wasted. therefore, medications and surgical options are used for alcoholic hepatitis treatment.

It should be noted that in most cases, the alcoholic hepatitis symptoms are not particularly dangerous. It is only when an individual ignores these symptoms and continues drinking that the problem really becomes acute. most patients suffering from alcoholic hepatitis will recover fully if they stop alcohol consumption and begin to follow a healthy diet. It is important that such people realize the severity of their condition because this is the only way in which they will be prompted to make a useful change to their habits. Some individuals may be ashamed or embarrassed about their condition. These people can seek anonymous help for their problem of alcohol dependency.

COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) kills more than 120,000 adults each year — one death every four minutes on average, or more than breast cancer and diabetes combined.

In COPD, sometimes referred to as emphysema or chronic bronchitis, the tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs are partially blocked, which makes it hard to breathe.

“Yet people go undiagnosed and untreated because they don’t recognize the symptoms,” says James P. Kiley, director of the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health.

The institute has launched a public service announcement campaign to highlight common COPD signs and symptoms, including frequent shortness of breath, chronic cough, wheezing and excessive phlegm production. Kiley discusses the disease.

Q. you indicate that this serious health problem is often associated with former smokers.

A. too many people think it’s part of getting older or being out of shape. Smoking accounts for as many as nine out of 10 COPD-related deaths. However, as many as one out of six people who have COPD never smoked.

Q. if not from smoking, what causes COPD?

A. it can be environmental — exposure to chemicals, dusts and pollutants as well as from exposure to secondhand smoke. Doctors just can’t say to stop smoking and the disease threat will never happen or go away.

Lower- and middle-income women seem to be particularly vulnerable, although many have never smoked.

In can be the result of indoor pollution, a not-well-ventilated environment, as well as poorly ventilated homes.

We are not sure why we have a continuing growing number of nonsmoking women getting the disease.

Q. it takes awhile for the disease to appear in former heavy smokers, I understand.

A. it takes quite a long time for most people — even those who were heavy smokers — to develop the disease. But, of course, the boomer population is aging.

We have had a good effect in lowering the smoking rates in this country, but there are people in the pipeline who still will get lung cancer and COPD as a result of smoking years ago.

Q. What can you do to help people find out if they have COPD?

A. well, we need to get people to recognize the symptoms and to talk to their health care providers. There is a simple breathing test called spirometry that is quick and painless and can be taken at a doctor’s office.

There is no cure for COPD, but the earlier a person gets diagnosed and receives treatment, the better their chance to improve quality of life. It’s all a matter of better education.

Q. People are living longer these days. Does that contribute to more cases?

A. well, yes, it could.

There also is a genetic version of the disease that is not lethal but also produces almost the same manifestations of COPD. One in five persons with the disease has a genetic background. Perhaps with further research, we can learn about protective genes.

Q. There are commercials on TV that feature an inhaler.

A. That’s the drug commonly used.

Another treatment that improves lung conditions and even prolongs life is exercise.

There also are resources available to people to quit if they are still smoking.

Q. bottom line?

A. if you do or have smoked, you may have the symptoms or be susceptible to COPD. it is a treatable disease and we have tools available to improve you quality of life. But you must see your health care professional.

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Jane Glenn Haas writes for the Orange County (Calif.) Register. E-mail her at