Wrapped in business suits by day, transforming into creatures of the night by evening. Bars in Xintiandi or on The Bund are a scenic addition to life. Dining with clients, drinking with friends—when fine wine becomes a bridge to拉近关系, do you realize that danger is slowly approaching? The Predicament of the Nightlife Crowd
Bar-hopping has become a fashion trend, but many white-collar workers, in pursuing this trend, forget that alcohol damages the liver, a fact well-known to all. In Western countries, alcoholic cirrhosis accounts for 50% to 70% of cirrhosis cases. In reality, alcohol brings so-called friendships, but it ruins health and life.
The liver damage caused by alcohol depends mainly on two factors: the duration of drinking (how long one has been drinking) and the amount of alcohol consumed each time. For example, someone who drinks more than half a jin (250g) of baijiu in one sitting may experience acute liver damage. However, of these two factors, the duration of drinking is more important. Nevertheless, some people have a strong liver's detoxification ability, so drinking a lot doesn't cause them major problems. Therefore, whether it will cause serious liver damage is not absolute; this issue varies from person to person and cannot be completely inferred based on alcohol consumption. [Food China] Regularly Check Your Liver
Those who frequently entertain and drink heavily should have regular medical check-ups, about once every six months. What should be checked? Liver function tests, especially for aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), and bilirubin, are essential.
A detailed B-ultrasound examination is very valuable, and it is best to be combined with a CT scan. If you have previously had liver diseases like hepatitis B, the check-up schedule may need to be more frequent. The combined effect of hepatitis B and heavy, long-term drinking on the liver is often much more severe than the damage caused by drinking alone. This is the so-called "1+1 > 2" effect. To determine if liver fibrosis or cirrhosis has developed, other indicators reflecting the degree of liver fibrosis, such as laminin, should be selected. A liver biopsy is the most reliable method for judging the condition and can be performed if necessary. Change Unhealthy Drinking Habits
To change unhealthy drinking habits, one must first recognize that drinking is meant to be a joyful occasion. The purpose of toasting is to enhance relationships, increase friendship, foster mutual understanding and respect, and make social interactions smoother. Therefore, one should opt for low-alcohol beverages or drinks, and drink in moderation. Abstain from Alcohol
Some researchers believe the safe limit for drinking is no more than 3 bottles of beer per week, giving the liver a rest day. However, this so-called "safe drinking" has many drawbacks:
1. There are individual differences in drinking; for some people, the amount of alcohol consumed does not decrease.
2. For light drinkers, the risk increases as their alcohol consumption increases.
3. Even for women, small amounts of alcohol can cause various types of damage, with the risk being greater during pregnancy.
4. The effects of drinking are not just about the amount consumed; many other factors are involved, such as body weight, personal constitution, the rate of alcohol absorption, type of drink, whether food is consumed, and the type of alcohol. Thus, the matter is not that simple. Therefore, many scholars suggest that the term "safe drinking limit" should not be used, meaning one should avoid drinking as much as possible.
In addition, while changing lifestyle habits, using certain medications under expert guidance can be helpful. Some traditional Chinese medicines, such as peach kernel, red sage root, angelica, red peony root, and salvia miltiorrhiza, and polyene phosphatidylcholine (Essentiale), can effectively repair liver cell membranes, providing good protection and repair for the liver during and after drinking.