Alcohol and drug misuse
Although many people enjoy drinking alcohol, which can be a large part of their social life, it is important to remember that alcohol can have serious adverse effects on people’s health. For all adults, keeping their alcohol intake within drinking guidelines is therefore an important part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
For people with LAL-D, it is particularly important to avoid drinking alcohol because of the adverse effects both LAL-D and alcohol have on the liver. Drinking any alcohol will increase the risk of liver damage in addition to LAL-D.1,2
For people with LAL-D, it is particularly important to avoid drinking alcohol because of the adverse effects both LAL-D and alcohol have on the liver. Drinking any alcohol will increase the risk of liver damage in addition to LAL-D.1,2
In most people, LAL-D affects the liver in a number of different ways, causing enlargement (hepatomegaly), raised liver enzymes (transaminases), fatty liver disease (steatosis or steatohepatitis), scarring (liver fibrosis and cirrhosis) and liver failure.2
To maintain a healthy lifestyle, all adults should only drink alcohol in moderation. However, people with LAL-D must avoid drinking alcohol altogether because of the adverse effects it has on the liver and the risk of increasing the damage to the liver caused by LAL-D.
To maintain a healthy lifestyle, all adults should only drink alcohol in moderation. However, people with LAL-D must avoid drinking alcohol altogether because of the adverse effects it has on the liver and the risk of increasing the damage to the liver caused by LAL-D.
The information presented here is not intended to replace professional medical support, you should seek professional medical advice if you are struggling with substance abuse.
Drug misuse or abuse is the of use illegal drugs, such as heroin and cocaine, or the misuse of legal drugs, such as amphetamines and opioid painkillers.
Drug misuse or abuse is the of use illegal drugs, such as heroin and cocaine, or the misuse of legal drugs, such as amphetamines and opioid painkillers.
In the case of drug abuse, people may be able to change their behaviour or stop using drugs altogether. However, once a person starts taking drugs, it can be very hard to stop. Drug dependence or addiction occurs when a person can’t stop taking drugs and can’t resist the urge to take them, despite the harm that it may cause.3
Drug addiction is a disease that affects the brain and behaviour. Over time, drugs change how the brain works, resulting a continued need or intense craving for the drug and the loss of self-control, which leads to addictive behaviour.3 Addiction can occur with both legal and illegal drugs.4
Drug addiction is a disease that affects the brain and behaviour. Over time, drugs change how the brain works, resulting a continued need or intense craving for the drug and the loss of self-control, which leads to addictive behaviour.3 Addiction can occur with both legal and illegal drugs.4
Misusing legal drugs or using illegal drugs can cause serious harm to the body and can result in death. Adverse consequence include:5
In addition to the serious harmful physical effects drug abuse and drug addiction have on the body, they also have serious effects on mental and emotional health. Everyone should avoid drug misuse or abuse.
For people with LAL-D, it is particularly important to avoid misusing or abusing drugs because of the adverse effects both LAL-D and drugs can have on the liver and the heart. Misusing or abusing any drugs will increase the risk of liver and heart damage caused by LAL-D.
- Slowed breathing (respiration)
- A build-up of carbon dioxide in the blood (respiratory acidosis)
- Rapid breakdown of damaged skeletal muscle (rhabdomyolysis)
- Renal failure
- Liver damage
- High body temperature (hyperthermia)
- Fits (convulsions) or seizures
- Heart attack (myocardial infarction)
In addition to the serious harmful physical effects drug abuse and drug addiction have on the body, they also have serious effects on mental and emotional health. Everyone should avoid drug misuse or abuse.
For people with LAL-D, it is particularly important to avoid misusing or abusing drugs because of the adverse effects both LAL-D and drugs can have on the liver and the heart. Misusing or abusing any drugs will increase the risk of liver and heart damage caused by LAL-D.
Pregnancy and diet
At more than any other time when you are pregnant, you will be considering what you eat and whilst your body needs additional nutrients, vitamins and minerals throughout the whole of your pregnancy, it will need just an extra 350–500 extra calories...
Sports and exercise
Following any exercise, it is important to eat within 30 minutes of finishing, to enable your body to refuel the energy it has just used, and to help to repair any microdamage to the muscles.
Healthy eating when dining out
Unfortunately, for those with LAL-D eating fast foods is not an option – processed meats, burgers, fried chicken and fish, along with fries are all off the menu. This doesn’t mean you can’t eat out though, more you need to be a little more selective...
LAL-D, lysosomal acid lipase deficiency.