[Jsmooth46675]

Ok. So. If you have been drinking a LOT for a while, could you just die? Also, how do you know if you have an alcohol related health problem such as liver failure and stuff? If you do, how long to live?

[hji g]

Yes lots of alcoholics drink a bottle of whatever and never wake up.

[Almost Normal]

If blood alcohol levels rise sharply in a short time, the areas of the brain that control these functions can be sedated--literally put to sleep. When that happens, people lose consciousness and can die. Symptoms: Nausea,Loss of appetite,Fatigue,Diarrhea,Swollen abdomen,Mental disorientation or confusion,Sleepiness, and Coma. You can live for a month or years it depends on stage, and if you receive a transplant.

[sads]

Sure enough you drink long enough you can die. You can also die by being it by a automobile, viral/bacterial infection, and all the cancer causing chemicals from the air we breath. Liver failure is only a worry if you drink a fifth of booze everyday for years. If you need info on it do a search for liver failure and Cirrhosis. Of all the millions that drink alcohol a very small number have organ problems.

[decemberkitty02]

Yes,you can just die.and if you try to stop without medical assistance you can die as well.And if you are concerned about you or someone else health,a doctor can answer those questions.I am a recovering alcoholic.I lived in and out of a bottle for years.I have freedom now,going on 8 years.

[Southern Comfort]

There are different ways that alcohol can cause a problem in
the Liver;
If you think that the liver takes toxins out of the body and converts
then to non toxic forms that the body can dispose of, then you will
understand this:

1) over consuming alcohol in a short time period doesn't give
the liver time to convert to aldehyde,dyeen acetate and then
carbon dioxide and water. No converted completely, it can
become toxic to the liver cells.
2)consuming alcohol over long time periods can cause fat
build up inside the liver (fat infiltration). This fat causes
pressure in the liver and can damage the liver cells.
3) some people are more sensitive to alcohol than others are
and some are even allergic to it. That is why some can drink
all their lives with no problem and, with others, it doesn't
take much to cause one.
4) taking alcohol with medications can cause such an
interaction between them that it can instantly damage the liver
cells.

You now know how it can be damaged. But what happens
when the liver cells become damaged? The immune system
of the body will respond to the liver cell damage and cause
inflammation to develop inside the liver...which causes
the liver to enlarge in size.
If the alcohol isn't stopped then, so the liver cells can heal....
then it will progress to where the liver cells die off and
form scar tissue inside the liver. Scar tissue will eventually,
block the flow of blood to the functioning and regenerating
liver cells so they continue to die off. It will also block
the flow of blood through the liver on its way back to the
heart.

The liver is normally a very soft, smooth organ. When
inflammation develops, it takes on a spongy texture and
enlarges. When the liver cells die off and form scar
tissue...it starts to shrink in size and take on a hard
texture (the liver is dying inside the patient).

In some, liver disease can advance very fast and in others
it may take awhile. Having blood tests to determine if you
have liver disease is best to be done...because if caught
early on, it might give the liver cells a chance to heal.
The liver is usually very quiet about damage done...
that is up until the cells are not able to do the functions
of the liver and then signs and symptoms may appear.
Blood testing includes: the liver enzymes, the liver
functions tests, and the liver viral blood tests.

The first symptom is usually tiredness and maybe flu like
symptoms that can be mistaken for something else.
Some people might feel tightness on their upper right hand
side. The first sign that the liver cells isn't about to perform
functions is Jaundice...the yellowing of the whites of the eyes
and skin. Possibly the darkening of the urine. As more
cells die off, more and more signs will appear.

A liver transplant costs in the range of $300,000 and up.
Most Transplant Centers have a rule that an alcoholic
has to be detoxed from alcohol for a period of six months
prior to being evaluted for a liver transplant list.

Here are some links on Cirrhosis of the liver:
http://www.hcvets.com/data/hcv_liver/cirrhosis.htm
http://www.medicinenet.com/cirrhosis/article.htm
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cirrhosis/DS00373
http://yourtotalhealth.ivillage.com/cirrhosis.html

Hope this information has been of some help to you.
Best wishes