Liver diseases caused by alcohol.

[Captain Kong]

Gilly is right,
a blood test cannot give an accurate account of the Liver damage. Other tests have to be given , when you show symptoms of having damage to your Liver then it is too late , you have it.
The Liver is the only organ that can grow itself.
You can have as much as Two thirds of the Liver cut off and it will grow back to its normal size.
Alcohol only causes about 15% of Liver diseases. Cirrhosis can also be caused by Diabetes, a Virus, or Hepatitis.
Cheers
Brian

[Captain Kong]

Further to my post #28 regarding my Grandad drinking himself to death on Walney Island.............
Post script.....
.
.
.
.I have been thinking about Granddad, Henry Catlow, died August 20 1914, age 36. Married , with four young daughters.
.
I owe my very existence to the day he won the Calcutta Sweepstake and got drunk and died..

Scenario…...........
Granddad did not win the Sweepstake, so he carried on working in the shipyard raising his four daughters to teenage and eventual marriage to local lads on the island and eventually having families themselves.
But these people do not exist today because Granddad won, got drunk and died, family split up and dispersed from the island.

So because of his untimely death, my Mother was sent to live in Bolton, 90 miles away at the age of 12 to stay with her Aunt and start working in the Cotton Mill.
It was there in the Cotton Mill where she met my Dad, they started courting, got married and had five children, of which I am one.

So therefore I and everyone else, brothers and sisters, including my cousins, would not exist but for Granddad winning the Calcutta Sweepstake, dying and the family dispersed to Bolton. I would not be here to write about it..

And they say Life is a Lottery. How very true.

There is always a happy ending somewhere.

I will therefore raise a glass of whisky and drink to his memory. RIP. HENRY CATLOW. Cheers Granddad!

Brian

[Chris Allman]

OY I thought you could not drink yet - take it easy and have one when you are allowed, we all want to hear many more of your memories.

Cheers

Chris.

[gray_marian]

#32, I like a happy ending Captain

[Lou Barron]

The Germans tried to kill me the Japs also tried to kill me so maybe the gin might try too but it will be a nice way to go

[Captain Kong]

OY I thought you could not drink yet - take it easy and have one when you are allowed, we all want to hear many more of your memories.

Cheers

Chris.

.
. Hi Chris,
I have to go to the Hospital, Salford Royal a week from now, Monday December 8
Hopefully to get the all clear, So I can then have my first drink since the end of March.
Cheers
Brian

[John Arton]

The North East of England has one of the highest rates of death due to alcohol in the country and also the highest rates of death amongst young men and women. This is put down to the availability of cheap high strength lagers, 7% plus ABV. The government a few years ago introduced bans on off licences offering discounts and advertising of these high strength lagers and beers. While most of us at sea enjoyed a pint or 6 at sea and when on leave, the strength of beers in pubs was/is only around 3-4% and that coupled with our generally active life style, coupled with often long enforced "dry periods" when watch keeping duties prevented us from drinking too much, most likely prevented many of us suffering alcohol related diseases. Yes we a sailed with the odd alcoholic but percentage wise I am pretty sure merchant seamen had less alcoholism than many shore based industries, despite what many may have said.
With the demise of the U.K. seafarer there has been a steady rise in marine incidents where alcohol is involved but in the main the worst offenders seem to come from seafarers from ex. soviet union countries where alcoholism was rampant.
rgds
JA

[Louis the fly]

Best of luck with the hospital Brian, hope all the tests go well and you enjoy your well earned drink.

[Captain Kong]

Many thanks for that, Louis,
The treatment has been very radical but hopefully OK now. I have to be fit again for my next trip down the Pacific Islands again in February, or no insurance.
Cheers
Brian.

[Rodney Mills]

To Captain Kong,

First. Captain, I'm wishing you everything you are wishing yourself regarding your medical check-up. Secondly, God forbid, and you can't get foreign medical coverage, give the states a wide berth, otherwise with no medical insurance it will be your last visit...remember you saw the bill in Hawaii last year. Still I'm sure you are going to be a-ok, ten, four, good buddy.

Cheers, Rodney