Women who relax at home with more than two large glasses of wine a day can pay a heavy health price for the indulgence.
They are increasing their risk of developing liver disease by 13pc, said Dr Orla Crosbie, a gastroenterologist at Cork University Hospital.
Two large glasses comprise around four units of alcohol -and can be typical of a generous home pouring as people put their feet up after a long day.
Men face the same risk of getting cirrhosis of the liver if they have the equivalent to three large glasses of wine or three pints of lager a day.
Symptoms
Cirrhosis, which is a scarring of the liver, usually has few symptoms in the early stages and is often picked up during blood tests for an unrelated illness.
Dr Crosbie said it is difficult to say how long it takes to develop cirrhosis. "It is usually after a significant period of drinking. Females are more susceptible to the effects of alcohol because of their body composition.
"While it mostly occurs after years of heavy drinking, it can happen after months as well."
She is seeing an increasing number of women in her clinics who are developing different forms of liver disease, which is no longer the domain of middle-aged men.
"Nobody pours one unit of alcohol, which is a small glass of wine, at home."
"People should aim to have alcohol-free days every week. It is the most effective way of cutting their intake," advised Dr Crosbie who will speak at a major conference on women and drinking organised by Alcohol Action Ireland in Dublin today.
Source: Eilish O'Regan, Irish Independent, 21/04/15
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