The dangers that alcohol presents to women’s health have escalated in the last two decades, as more women are drinking more frequently and in larger amounts.
Alcohol-related deaths among women have more than doubled from 1999 to 2020, and deaths due to alcohol-related hepatitis, which causes severe liver inflammation, have almost tripled among women during the same timeframe.
Recent research published this Wednesday in the medical journals Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology has also shown a rise in the risk of alcohol-related liver disease in women, encompassing various types of liver damage that stem from excessive alcohol consumption. Severe damage, known as cirrhosis, can progress to early-stage inflammation, ultimately leading to liver failure.
Women are more susceptible to alcohol-related liver disease than men due to several factors. One reason is that they typically have lower body weight and a higher body fat percentage, leading to elevated alcohol concentrations in the blood that the liver must process. Additionally, women naturally possess fewer enzymes called alcohol dehydrogenases, which assist in metabolizing alcohol, resulting in higher blood alcohol levels.
These biological differences, combined with a significant spike in alcohol use and conditions like bulimia, put women at a heightened risk for alcohol-related health issues.
“Historically, there have been differences in the prevalence rates of alcohol consumption between men and women. Essentially, that gap has now narrowed, with the male-to-female drinking ratio nearing one-to-one,” stated Shelley McKee, director of the Yale Score Program on Gender Differences in Alcohol Use Disorders.
McKee noted that shifting lifestyles have led to increased alcohol consumption among women. Today’s young adults drink less than previous generations, yet more women are enrolling in college than men. This trend is typically linked to an uptick in alcohol consumption, she explained.
“Combine that with the fact that women are postponing childbirth and marriage, which allows them more freedom to continue drinking during college,” McKee added.
Catherine Keys, an epidemiology professor at the Postal Public Health School at Columbia University, observed that high alcohol consumption among women is most prevalent in middle-aged individuals. While some researchers attribute this trend to workplace stress and drinking culture, Keys emphasized that many women drink more simply for enjoyment. She pointed out that wine and spirits are often marketed to women as luxury items or relaxation aids.
Experts express that raising awareness of the health risks associated with alcohol consumption can encourage women to cut back.
“We’re excited to help you get started,” remarked Jessica Mellinger, a senior staff doctor at Henry Ford Health, Michigan’s health system. The more individuals consume, the greater their likelihood of developing alcohol-related liver disease at every stage, she added.
A study released this Wednesday revealed that heavy drinkers now exhibit more than double the rates of alcohol-related liver disease compared to 20 years ago. Researchers suspect this may be due to individuals at risk for liver disease—including women, those with obesity, and people with diabetes—drinking more than they did decades prior.
“Modern American drinkers are not the same as they were 20 years ago,” stated Dr. Brian Lee, lead author and liver specialist at Keck Medicine at the University of Southern California.
Using data from a national government-led survey, researchers analyzed drinking behaviors and liver health in the U.S., classifying heavy drinkers as men consuming at least 30 grams of alcohol daily and women consuming at least 20 grams.
Among heavy drinkers, the incidence of severe liver damage has more than doubled in 22 years, rising from nearly 2% between 1999-2004 to over 4% from 2013-2020.
The presence of metabolic syndrome—characterized by symptoms such as obesity and hypertension that elevate the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and stroke—among heavy drinkers has also increased from 26% to almost 38%. Both obesity and type 2 diabetes can lead to fat accumulation in the liver, heightening the risk of liver disease.
“It could be a perfect storm situation. We are seeing increased alcohol consumption alongside changes in the prevalence of these [health] conditions,” Keys remarked.
Lee emphasized the importance of individuals being honest with their healthcare providers about their alcohol intake so that doctors can determine the need for liver disease screenings.
“The risk of liver disease might be greater than you think,” he cautioned. “The reality is that liver disease often presents no symptoms, even in cases of cirrhosis, which is a terminal condition. I often say it’s both a blessing and a curse.”
Keys noted that women, in particular, often delay seeking medical help for heavy drinking due to societal stigma.
“It’s becoming a hidden trend where women postpone seeking help for serious alcohol-related conditions,” she stated.
Source: www.nbcnews.com
