The Covid-19 pandemic has led to a significant increase in alcohol-related liver disease cases, doubling the number of patients needing liver transplants
Makoto Honda / 500px/Getty Images(NEW YORK) Transplant centers across the United States are reporting more patients in need of a new liver than ever before, sometimes seeing double the number of patients needing transplants compared to pre-pandemic levels.
In fact, alcohol-related liver disease has surpassed other conditions such as hepatitis C and fatty liver disease as the number one reason for liver transplants.
The demographics have also changed. Historically, patients needing liver transplants were older men in their 60s. Now, patients needing transplants are often in their 20s and 30s and there has been an increase in the number of women needing transplants.
Doctors told ABC News this is yet another unintended consequence of the COVID pandemic and that they hope to reduce the stigma so patients can feel supported in getting the help they need. A nationwide phenomenon
"It s a nationwide phenomenon where, since the pandemic, there has been a notable increase in alcoho
Makoto Honda / 500px/Getty Images(NEW YORK) Transplant centers across the United States are reporting more patients in need of a new liver than ever before, sometimes seeing double the number of patients needing transplants compared to pre-pandemic levels.
In fact, alcohol-related liver disease has surpassed other conditions such as hepatitis C and fatty liver disease as the number one reason for liver transplants.
The demographics have also changed. Historically, patients needing liver transplants were older men in their 60s. Now, patients needing transplants are often in their 20s and 30s and there has been an increase in the number of women needing transplants.
Doctors told ABC News this is yet another unintended consequence of the COVID pandemic and that they hope to reduce the stigma so patients can feel supported in getting the help they need. A nationwide phenomenon
"It s a nationwide phenomenon where, since the pandemic, there has been a notable increase in alcoho
Makoto Honda / 500px/Getty Images(NEW YORK) Transplant centers across the United States are reporting more patients in need of a new liver than ever before, sometimes seeing double the number of patients needing transplants compared to pre-pandemic levels.
In fact, alcohol-related liver disease has surpassed other conditions such as hepatitis C and fatty liver disease as the number one reason for liver transplants.
The demographics have also changed. Historically, patients needing liver transplants were older men in their 60s. Now, patients needing transplants are often in their 20s and 30s and there has been an increase in the number of women needing transplants.
Doctors told ABC News this is yet another unintended consequence of the COVID pandemic and that they hope to reduce the stigma so patients can feel supported in getting the help they need. A nationwide phenomenon
"It s a nationwide phenomenon where, since the pandemic, there has been a notable increase in alcoho