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Issue link: https://loumag.epubxp.com/i/75209
Allergy and Immunology "Basically, over three to four drinks a day for men and over two drinks a day for women are where we worry about the potential for getting liver injury." Mark Corbett Allergy Care 1261 Goss Ave., 40217 635-6937 Daniel P. Garcia Kentuckiana Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 9113 Leesgate Road, 40222 426-1621 Anesthesiology Organic chemistry: Liver Dr. Craig McClain, hepatologist McClain, 66, an Ohio native, earned his medical degree at the University of Tennessee in Memphis and has been practicing medicine for some 40 years. He is a professor of medicine, pharmacology and toxicology at the University of Louisville. What does alcohol actually do to the liver? "Alcohol can damage the liver directly when the liver metabolizes the drink into even more toxic small molecules. Alcohol can also indirectly cause liver injury by causing alterations to the intestine, such as leakiness. Basically, bacterial products leak across and activate inflammation in the liver and cause injury. Alcohol can also stimulate certain parts of the immune system to harm the liver." How much liquor can a liver process on a daily basis? "It is variable depending on individual to individual and how big they are, what their genetic makeup is and whether they are a regular drinker or not. If you drink regularly, you induce or stimulate the enzymes that metabolize alcohol. So, in a way, you have a harder time getting a buzz. Basically, over three to four drinks a day for men and over two drinks a day for women are where we worry about the potential for getting liver injury. Most bad alcoholic liver injury does not occur for at least five to 10 years after heavy drinking. So, just because you go out on the weekend and get drunk doesn't mean you're going to get bad liver disease." What liver-related illness might you see in Louisville that you might not elsewhere? [70] LOUISVILLE MAGAZINE 8.12 "Tis isn't something you wouldn't see in other places, but it is something we see, unfortunately, a lot more of in Louisville, and that's obesity-related liver disease, or fatty liver disease. Tat is something I do a lot of research in, and it's really a health epidemic. So, probably one out of every four Americans, and even more Kentuckians, have fatty liver and have increased liver enzymes due to fatty liver. It is the number-one cause of abnormal enzymes in the country." How often should someone get his or her liver checked out? "When they get their yearly workup, people usually get a thing called a comprehensive metabolic panel, a series of blood tests that has liver enzymes in it. So, a lot of people who get yearly physicals get that done automatically. Te doctor sees it. Also the Centers for Disease Control just recommended that all Baby Boomers get tested for hepatitis C." What can people do to keep their livers healthy? "Don't be overweight. A lot of sugared beverages are of concern. Don't drink alcohol in excess and don't get viral liver disease; so don't use IV drugs. Ten there are some people who are just unlucky; they have a metabolic liver problem like autoimmune liver disease or iron overload or something like that. Tose kinds of things especially get funneled into academic medical centers, the more unusual type stuff." — Interviewed by Carmen Huff Mark V. Boswell University of Louisville Hospital—(ULP*) Department of Anesthesiology 530 S. Jackson St., Room C2A01, 40202 852-5851 Cardiovascular Disease Chris Anggelis Louisville Heart Specialists 201 Abraham Flexner Way, Suite 1101, 40202 581-1951 Joseph A. Lash Norton Cardiovascular Associates 6420 Dutchmans Pkwy., Suite 200, 40205 891-8300 David E. Mann Norton Cardiovascular Associates 6420 Dutchmans Pkwy., Suite 200, 40205 891-8300 Steven J. Raible Louisville Heart Specialists 201 Abraham Flexner Way, Suite 1101, 40202 581-1951 Henry B. Sadlo Norton Cardiology Specialists Medical Towers South, Suite 550 234 E. Gray St., 40202 629-3838 Gurbachan Singh Sohi Norton Cardiology Specialists Medical Towers South, Suite 550 234 E. Gray St., 40202 629-3838 Chris Stavens Cardiovascular Specialists 250 E. Liberty St., Suite 1001, 40202 589-7907 * All phone numbers are area code 502 unless otherwise noted. ** ULP stands for University of Louisville Physicians