Alcohol Abuse Related Medical Complications and Treatment

Yong-Han Paik

doi:10.5124/jkma.2006.49.2.114

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Paik: Alcohol Abuse Related Medical Complications and Treatment

Special Issue

Alcoholism

Journal of the Korean Medical Association

Journal of the Korean Medical Association 2006; 49(2): 114-127.

Published online: 28 February 2006

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5124/jkma.2006.49.2.114

Alcohol Abuse Related Medical Complications and Treatment

Yong-Han Paik, M.D.

Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Yongdong Severance Hospital, Korea. yhpaik@yumc.yonsei.ac.kr

Abstract

Alcohol abuse is related to a wide variety of medical complications including liver diseases, pancreatitis, cardiovascular diseases, immunological abnormalities, malignant neoplasms, endocrine disturbances, and kidney problems. The liver is the organ most severely affected by alcoholism. Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Korea. The mainstay of therapy for alcohol-related medical problems is cessation of drinking. This article summarizes alcohol-related medical complications and treatment with focus on alcoholic liver injury.

Keywords: Alcohol Abuse, Medical Complication, Alcoholic Liver Disease, Treatment

Figures and Tables

Table 1

Relative risk for major chronic disease by gender and average drinking category

Source; Rehm J, et al. Alcohol Res Health 2003

^†: For liver cirrhosis, a combined estimate was derived for drinking categories 20~40g / d and >40g / d

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