A Harvard-trained liver specialist has issued a stark warning about alcohol consumption.
Dubbing the popular drink a “silent killer”, Dr Saurabh Sethi, a board-certified gastroenterologist, took to his TikTok channel to raise awareness of the devastating effects of liver cancer.
The doctor warned that alcohol is a major risk factor for the potentially deadly condition.
He started the TikTok by describing a case study of a man who was admitted to the hospital with severe jaundice, yellowing of the eyes and skin caused by a bilirubin build-up, and fever.
The doctor explained how to avoid such a situation.
Dr Sethi said: “This patient is in his 50s and has been recently diagnosed with liver cancer, unfortunately.
“The sole risk factor that he had was excessive alcohol consumption – a highly detrimental habit.
“Alcohol abuse can lead to liver cancer. And in this instance, it resulted in blockage of the bile duct.”
To relieve the obstruction, Dr Sethi placed a plastic stent into the patient’s bile duct, relieving his jaundice and infection.
While the procedure was “successful”, the patient’s prognosis remained “bleak”, the liver specialist explained.
He added: “I highly recommend my viewers to minimise alcohol consumption.
“If you have an addiction, I understand it is a tough habit to break, but many of my patients have succeeded.
“There are things like counselling and support groups available. Please talk to your doctor. Alcohol is a grave threat to our health.”
The national charity working to prevent and reduce alcohol misuse, Drinkaware, provides a free, confidential helpline for anyone who is concerned about their drinking, or someone else’s. You can reach the helpline on 0300 123 1110 (between 9am–8pm on weekdays and 11am–4pm on weekends).
