What sort of lovers can we expect beer-drinkers to be?

Chronic alcohol abuse damages the liver. This can lead to a number of signs and symptoms which help the doctor arrive at the diagnosis when the patient is less than honest about the amount of alcohol consumed. The liver is usually enlarged and easily felt.

Men produce the female hormone oestrogen just as women produce a small amount of the male hormone, testosterone.

The oestrogen is normally broken down by the liver but, when damaged by alcohol, this function is impaired and men may suffer from a build up of oestrogen. This can cause hot flushes similar to those experienced by women at the time of the menopause.

The oestrogen may cause small blood vessels in the skin to dilate and to have small branching vessels coming out from a central larger vein.

These are common on the face and account for the red blotchy visage of the chronic alcohol abuser.

The excess oestrogen may cause shrinkage of the testes with underproduction of testosterone, resulting in lack of interest in sex and poor sexual performance. The breasts may enlarge and body fat be deposited in areas similar to the female.

Of course, liver damage due to other conditions may result in the same problems but, in this community, alcohol abuse is the commonest cause of liver damage and eventual cirrhosis.

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