UNITED STATES — A study published in the British Medical Journal states that more young people are dying from liver disease than in the past.<br /><br />Data from the CDC shows the number of 24-34 year olds who died due to alcohol-related liver disease has nearly tripled between 1999-2016 — from 259 in 1999 to 767 in 2016.<br /><br />Dr. Elliot Tapper, who co-wrote the study, believes that it may have something to do with the global financial crisis … as a "loss of opportunity" and "psychological burden" may have led some to "abusive drinking."<br /><br />According to the study, ethnic groups such as whites, Native Americans and Hispanic Americans saw an increase of liver-related deaths while Asian Americans saw a decrease. <br /><br />Binge drinking is defined by the CDC as drinking five or more "standard drinks" in a few hours for men and four for women.<br /><br />The CDC warns that drinking too much alcohol can cause liver cancer and may also cause liver cirrhosis.<br /><br />However, Dr. Tapper did have some encouraging news: liver disease is often reversible. The sooner the patients stop drinking, the better their chances of recovering.
