Dr. Cyriac Abby Philips, also known as “The Liver Doc” on social media, has been raising awareness about the harmful effects of alcohol consumption through his online posts. One particularly powerful example of his advocacy was a post where he compared the livers of two individuals: a 32-year-old man who drank alcohol only on weekends and his wife, who was a non-drinker and had donated her liver to her husband. The stark contrast between the two livers highlighted the dangerous impact alcohol consumption can have, even when it is limited to weekends.

In his post, Dr. Philips wrote, “Hello. Take a look at the striking difference between the liver of a 32-year-old 'weekends-only' drinker and the healthy liver his wife generously donated to save his life, giving him a second chance to watch their little daughter grow.” The image showed the liver of the man, which appeared dark and damaged, compared to the healthy, pink liver of his wife. This image struck a nerve with many, prompting widespread discussion about the health risks associated with alcohol use.

The post went viral on social media, and people shared their opinions. One user expressed disbelief, suggesting that the man might have been lying about his drinking habits. In response, Dr. Philips rebuked the comment, stating that the user's opinion was based on bias, pointing out that sometimes personal experience is the best teacher. Other comments reflected a deeper understanding of the consequences of alcohol.

One user pointed out that alcohol is a toxin that the liver works overtime to process, and binge drinking—even if it's only on weekends—can eventually lead to liver damage, including fatty liver, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and liver failure. They emphasized that by the time symptoms appear, it is often too late to reverse the damage. Another person suggested that the photo should be displayed on every alcohol bottle, while a third commenter admitted they were now scared to continue their bi-monthly drinking habits.

The post not only sparked a debate but also highlighted the broader issue of alcohol consumption and its health risks. Many people were surprised to learn the extent to which consuming alcohol even just on weekends can harm the liver and other organs. Some questioned the doctor’s findings, suggesting that the man might have had dietary issues unrelated to alcohol, while others wondered how many drinks per week would cause this level of damage.

However, Dr. Philips and other medical experts emphasize that no amount of alcohol is truly safe for the human body. The World Health Organization (WHO) has long classified alcohol as a Group 1 carcinogen, meaning it is known to cause cancer, just like tobacco and asbestos. Alcohol consumption is linked to at least seven types of cancer, including liver, bowel, and breast cancers.

When alcohol is metabolized in the body, it breaks down into harmful compounds that can cause long-term damage to various organs. This damage can lead to liver conditions like fatty liver, hepatitis, and cirrhosis, and increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as high blood pressure, stroke, and heart disease.

Additionally, alcohol has negative effects on the brain, impairing memory, judgment, and cognitive function over time, and can lead to mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. The immune system also weakens with prolonged alcohol use, making the body more susceptible to infections.

Given these serious health risks, experts recommend either moderation or complete abstinence from alcohol. Even occasional drinking, particularly binge drinking on weekends, can have severe consequences on a person’s overall health and longevity.

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Sai Sindhuja K/MSM)