Maradona has liver inflammation

Argentine soccer legend Diego Maradona is suffering liver inflammation due to excessive drinking and he will remain in hospital for at least two weeks, his personal doctor Alfredo Cahe said on Tuesday.

"We will see how the daily checks go. A patient with his pathological symptoms should be hospitalized at least two weeks, but Maradona is Maradona and you never know," Cahe said.

After his hospitalization six days ago, Maradona's health "stabilized and improved," but he is on sedatives to remain calm, said Cahe.

Maradona, 46, was treated last Wednesday in the Guemes Hospital in the Argentine capital of Buenos Aires due to health problems.

"Diego entered a depressive period and his liver problem, which he has suffered since 1983, did not matter to him. The depression triggered a great many food and alcohol binges," Cahe said.

At first the doctors feared he had pancreatitis but was finally diagnosed "acute and toxic chemical hepatitis", in other words inflammation of the liver due to excessive drinking, said Cahe.

"Maradona will have to remain in the hospital, and although he is on sedatives he is not asleep," added Cahe.

Cahe said Maradona's relapse was not due to the use of drugs, as in past occasions.

"We try to say all the truth of what is happening (to Maradona) it does not make sense to lie to the public opinion," said Cahe.

The director of the Guemes Hospital, Hector Pezzella, said Maradona suffered a strong depression causing him to drink.

Maradona is convinced that his stay in the hospital is convenient for his recovery, added Pezzella.

Maradona has not suffered damage in the pancreas nor gastritis in the scarce stomach he has left after the 2004 operation he had in Colombia to decrease his appetite and help him lose weight, said Pezella.

He added that Maradona should spend some time detoxifying in Argentina before going to a Swiss clinic to complete treatment.

Source: Xinhua