The effects of being an alcoholic on our body
Content
Effects of Alcohol on the body
Short Term Effects
Alcoholism
Long Term Effects
Women and Alcohol
Sensible Drinking
Moderation
Stop Drinking
Tags:
Alcoholism; Effects of Alcohol on the body; Short Term
Effects of Alcohol; Long Term Effects of Alcohol; Women and Alcohol; Sensible
Drinking; Stop Drinking; Effect on judgement; Nausea ; vomiting
Summary
Alcohol in drinks such as beer,
wine and spirits affects the human body and its organs in different ways. A
wide range of health problems are associated with the intake of alcohol, and
most of them can be extremely harmful, especially if alcohol is taken in
excessive amounts. This post discusses some of the major health concerns
associated with alcohol consumption and the effects it has on the human body.
Introduction
Alcohol is a depressant drug
and slows down the activity of the central nervous system. Alcohol directly
affects the brain and its action on the central nervous system affects
concentration and coordination.
Alcohol in drinks, such as
beer, wine and spirits can be used as a source of energy (29KJ per g) or
converted to fat. However, it is not a desirable food source because it lacks
other nutrients and has adverse effects on the body.
Effects of Alcohol on the body; Watch:
The effects of alcohol vary
from person to person just like any other drug. Some of these factors include
age, sex, weight, and general health of the person. The amount of alcohol
consumed and whether alcohol was consumed with any other drugs are also other
factors. It also depends whether the person is used to drinking or not.
Short Term Effects of alcohol
The effects of alcohol
consumption may be short term, or long term, depending on how regularly you
drink and the amount of alcohol you take. Since alcohol is a depressant, a few
drinks cause people to become relaxed and lower their inhibition. Some of the
immediate and short-term effects of alcohol intake are listed below:
(A) Feeling of
relaxation – Small amounts of alcohol help to relax the body and make you
feel less anxious. They give a feeling of well-being, followed by reduced
concentration and slower reflexes.
(B) Effect on judgement –
Increasing amounts of alcohol increase confidence levels, and suppress the part
of the brain which controls judgement, resulting in reduced muscle coordination
and fewer inhibitions. Reduced inhibitions help people to overcome shyness and
nervous tension.
Impaired judgement is followed
by slurred speech and intense moods, like sadness or happiness. Lack of
judgement results in a fall-off in performance of any activity requiring skill
and concentration. It is due to the misleading sense of confidence which makes
the drunken driver usually think that he is driving extremely well. In 1974, 35
percent of drivers killed in accidents had been drinking alcohol. [1]
(C) Vaso-dilation -
Alcohol causes vaso-dilation of the skin. The blood vessels in the skin dilate
and allow more blood to flow near the surface. This makes you feel warm but in
fact leads to a more rapid loss of heat from the body.
(D) Lack of physical
coordination – Continued intake of alcohol causes confusion, blurred
vision and increased reaction time. It also causes poor muscle control and lack
of balance.
(E) Nausea and vomiting –
Very high levels of alcohol in the body cause a feeling of nausea which leads
to vomiting.
(F) Unconsciousness,
possible coma and even death – Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol
at one time is known as ‘binge drinking’. A concentration of 500 mg of alcohol
in 100 cm3 of blood results in unconsciousness and can lead to
coma. More than this will cause death because it stops the breathing centre in
the brain, known as asphyxiation or suffocation.
Alcohol taken in moderation
seems to have little harmful effect, except in pregnant women, but taken in
excess can lead to irrational and anti-social behaviour. Excessive use of
alcohol for prolonged periods leads to addiction, commonly known as alcoholism.
Alcoholism
Some people build up a
tolerance to alcohol and this may lead to both emotional and physical
dependence, also called alcoholism. Alcoholism is characterized by extremely
strong craving, loss of control along with withdrawal symptoms. Excessive
drinking over time causes harmful effects on the human body, most of them being
irreversible.
Long Term Effects of alcohol
Long-term alcohol use can cause
serious health complications and can cause permanent physical damage to the
body organs, which increases the risk of getting diseases. The long-term
effects of alcohol intake are given below:
Cirrhosis of the Liver and Hepatitis
Alcoholic liver disease is
caused after years of excessive drinking. Increased consumption of alcohol over
a period of several years increases the possibility of developing liver
disease. Both cirrhosis and alcoholic hepatitis can be life threatening as they
directly affect the functioning of the liver.
Excessive intake of alcohol
provides empty calories to the body, which causes a fall in appetite. This
leads to malnutrition, as the body does not receive the essential vitamins and
minerals required for proper functioning. Malnutrition and high levels of
ethanol both contribute to alcoholic liver disease. They cause the liver to
develop inflammation, which leads to a fatty liver, and finally cirrhosis.
Liver cirrhosis is the final stage of liver disease, and causes irreversible
damage to the liver tissues.
The symptoms of alcoholic liver
disease develop at an advanced stage, when most of the damage has been done to
the liver. The most obvious symptoms of chronic liver disease include the
following:
·
Nausea and vomiting
·
Loss of appetite
·
Jaundice and paleness
·
Pain
and tenderness in the abdomen region
·
Fever
·
Fluid
retention in the body and abdomen
·
Dry Mouth
·
Excessive Thirst
·
Fatigue
In the final stages of chronic
liver disease, the following extreme symptoms are visible:
·
Blood vomiting
·
Melena,
which is dark black and bloody bowel movements
·
Lack of concentration
·
Extremely
dark or light skin colour
·
Increased heart rate
·
Mood Fluctuations
·
Hallucinations and Confusion
Liver cirrhosis is one of the leading
causes of death among alcoholics.
Gastritis
Alcohol intake affects the
gastrointestinal tracts, which includes the stomach, small intestine, large
intestine, as well as the pancreas. Alcohol increases the level of acid in the
stomach which causes inflammation of the stomach lining, as well as of the
intestinal lining, leading to gastritis, or ulcer of the stomach and
intestines.
Diabetes
Pancreas is also affected by
the intake of alcohol. Increased amounts of alcohol cause a rise in the blood
sugar level. The pancreas produces insulin, a hormone secreted to control the
blood sugar levels from rising drastically. Excessive alcohol consumption
causes a rise in the amount of sugar in the blood, which causes the pancreas to
produce and secrete large amounts of insulin to the blood stream. Insulin
causes a drop in the blood sugar level which causes hypoglycaemia, commonly
known as low blood sugar.
Long term effects of alcohol
cause hypoglycaemia and chronic low blood sugar, and according to a study, 70%
- 90% of alcoholics suffer from low blood sugar level and hypoglycaemia to some
extent. Hypoglycemia causes dizziness, headaches, lack of concentration,
depression, anxiety, tremors and loss of coordination, cold sweats,
light-headedness, heart palpitations and upset stomach.
Excessive intake of alcohol
causes the pancreas to become over worked and with time, they may stop
producing insulin and lead to diabetes. Alcoholics with a family history of
diabetes are more prone to developing diabetes from alcohol consumption.
Effects on the Heart of alcohol
Alcohol intake can have
different effects on the heart. In some cases, moderate intake of alcohol can
provide protection against heart disease. Some researchers point to the
puzzling fact that in France, the incidence of heart disease is much lower than
in the rest of Europe, even though the French eat a high-cholesterol diet.
Their habit of drinking wine with meals is cited by some researchers as the
protective factor. [2]
Alcohol is said to increase the
levels of protective HDLs (high-density lipoproteins) in the blood, which
actively remove cholesterol from the body. The less cholesterol there is in the
blood, the less chance there is of the arteries clogging up with fatty deposits
and bringing on a heart attack.
However, excessive intake of
alcohol can increase the risk of high blood pressure, which may lead to heart
disease.
High Blood Pressure and Heart Disease
Several studies show that
drinking excessive amounts of alcohol can raise the blood pressure levels. High
Blood Pressure can damage the heart, a condition known as cardiomyopathy, and
can lead to heart failure or stroke.
People who already have a
history of heart disease and hypertension are even more prone to heart related
problems with alcohol intake. People with a history of heart failure, stroke,
and irregular heart rhythm should avoid alcohol intake as it can lead to
serious health concerns.
Cancers of the mouth, throat and body organs
Long term intake of alcohol is
linked to a higher risk of cancer of the mouth, esophagus, larynx, colon and
also the liver. Drinking alcohol also increases the risk of developing breast
cancer in women. Out of these, the strongest link between alcohol and cancer
involves the upper digestive tract, including the mouth, esophagus, pharynx and
larynx. Links between liver, breast and colon cancer are less consistent.
Prolonged intake of alcohol is
said to induce cancer-causing agents known as carcinogens. This causes the
cancer cells to reproduce and develop around the tissue boundaries of the
infected organ.
Brain Damage and Neurological Problems
Alcohol is a depressant of the
central nervous system, and long term intake of alcohol directly affects the
nervous system, including the spinal cord, and major parts of the brain
including cerebellum and cerebral cortex. Brain damage is even more common in
young alcoholics, as compared to excessive old drinkers. Long term consumption
of alcohol is found to impair activity in the brain receptors which are
responsible for memory and learning. This leads to memory loss in alcoholics
over time.
Chronic drinking can cause
severe neurological problems which include the following:
·
Reduction
in the over all brain size
·
Damage
to the frontal lobes of the brain, including the cerebellum and cerebral cortex
·
Memory Loss
·
Widespread disease of the brain
Some of the effects on the
brain are caused by vitamin and mineral deficiencies in the body due to
alcoholism. These deficiencies are discussed below.
Vitamin and Mineral
Deficiencies
People who consume excessive
amounts of alcohol are at a greater risk of suffering from vitamin and mineral
deficiencies. This is mainly due to the fact that the digestive system is
unable to absorb these minerals and vitamins.
Alcoholism hinders the
absorption of Vitamin B1 or Thiamine which leads to the development of a
syndrome known as "Wernicke's Encephalopathy". This causes lack of
coordination, confusion and impaired memory. Lack of Thiamine also leads to
"Korsakoff's Syndrome", which is characterized by disorientation,
amnesia and apathy.
Excessive alcohol intake also
leads to calcium deficiency in the body, leading to weak and brittle bones. Due
to this reason, alcoholics tend to suffer from osteoporosis, especially women.
Psychological Effects
Since alcohol acts as a depressant
drug, the long term effects of alcoholism can lead to increased anxiety and
depression. These problems lead to other psychological problems like problems
with sleeping, mood-swings, violence and in some cases, suicide and murder.
Alcoholism can also lead to
adverse social effects such as domestic abuse and divorce.
Obesity
Excessive intake of alcohol can
lead to obesity and an increase in the Body Mass Index (BMI). Weight related
problems due to alcohol intake depend on the quantity of alcohol taken, and the
frequency by which it is consumed.
Alcohol provides significant
amount of calories which is why long-term and frequent drinkers gain weight
over time. Continued intake of alcohol leads to significant weight gain and
obesity. Moreover, the physiologic effects of alcohol intake fail to trigger
the feeling of fullness when eating, which results in over eating, again
contributing to obesity and weight gain.
Sexual Problems caused by alcohol
Alcohol intake has both short
and long term effects on sexual activity. These short term effects are common
for both men and women. Small quantities of alcohol intake have a
dis-inhibiting effect which can make you feel comfortable and ready to initiate
sex. Short term effect of alcohol intake also leads to an increase in the
confidence level, which facilitates sexual arousal and activity.
Increasing the amount of
alcohol intake leads to risky sexual behaviour and makes sex difficult for the
drunk. Continued rise of alcohol in the blood causes a reduction in sexual
arousal. Men have difficulty getting erections and both men and women face
problems in reaching an orgasm.
Excessive and prolonged alcohol
intake negatively affects both men and women sexually. In men, alcohol abuse
can cause ED (Erectile Dysfunction), which is the inability to maintain an
erection for sexual activity. In women, alcohol intake can interrupt
menstruation, which can lead to infertility. Both men and women experience loss
of sexual desire, and difficulty in experiencing orgasm as a long term effect
of alcohol intake.
Muscle Disease
Heavy drinking damages the red
muscle fibres which help in endurance. It also affects the white fibres of the
muscles which help in sprinting and jumping.
Skin Problems
Alcohol affects the body in
several different ways, and some of them combine together and give rise to
certain skin problems. High levels of alcohol in the blood destroy the body
supply of Vitamin A. This lowers the resistance of the skin against bacteria
and other infections and leads to the build up of harmful radicals on the skin.
Lack of Vitamin A stops the production of collagen and new skin cells are not
produced to replace the dead ones. The skin appears to become wrinkled and the
bacteria and infections cause several skin problems.
There may be several more long
term effects of alcoholism on the body, aside from the ones listed above.
However, the most important ones have already been discussed. The diagram below
( 1) explains the different long-term
effects associated with alcohol consumption on the human body.
Women and Alcohol
Alcoholic women, in general,
are at a greater risk from alcoholism as compared to men. Women are physically
smaller than men and their bodies contain more fat, in which alcohol will not
dissolve. Also, women have less water in their bodies than men, therefore their
alcohol intakes do not become as dilute, when compared with men. If a woman
drinks the same amount of alcohol as a man, a higher concentration will appear
in her blood than in that of a man of the same weight. This makes women more
prone to liver disease and other problems associated with alcohol intake.
Alcoholic women are at a greater risk to develop the following serious illnesses:
·
Breast Cancer
·
Ulcers
·
Liver
Disease, including alcoholic cirrhosis and hepatitis
·
Hypertension
·
Heart Disease
·
Menstrual Disorders
·
Reproductive Problems and Infertility
·
Osteoporosis
·
Pancreatitis
·
Memory Loss
·
Anemia
·
Malnutrition
Alcoholism is not only harmful
for women, but can be extremely harmful for developing babies in pregnant
women.
Drinking during Pregnancy
There is evidence to show that
pregnant women who take as little as one alcoholic drink a day have a greater
risk of spontaneous abortion and are more likely to produce babies suffering
from FAS (Foetal Alcohol Syndrome).
There is also evidence that
drinking alcohol during pregnancy can lead to a higher rate of miscarriage and
in many cases, may damage the developing brain of the foetus.
Foetal Alcohol Syndrome
Alcohol in the blood is carried
to the baby’s bloodstream and can cause foetal alcohol syndrome. This was first
identified in the mid 1970s by researchers at the University of Washington, who
studied birth defects and growth abnormalities among babies of women who drank
heavily.
FAS birth effects are
irreversible and can lead to the baby being born with several defects. These
conditions include:
·
Below average birth weight
·
Small Head
·
Undeveloped Pinna, or outer ear
·
Short Nose
·
Hare Lip
·
Thin Lips
·
Missing groove above lip
·
Cleft Palate
·
Flattened Face
·
Pointed, small chin
·
Small eye openings
·
Heart Defects
·
Deformed Limbs
·
Mental Retardation
Such babies are prone to
disease and also tend to suffer growth retardation and poor muscle function.
It is claimed that as little as
one drink a day during pregnancy can cause low birth weight in babies. Doctors
advice women not to drink while they are trying to conceive and also during
pregnancy.
Moderation of alcohol
The operative term is
‘moderation’. Experts emphasise that the window of opportunity for deriving
positive effects from alcohol is quite narrow – up to four dinks a day for men
and no more than two for women. A ‘drink’ here means approximately 120 ml of
wine. More than that and the bad effects start to outweigh the good ones. It is
always good to follow some tips when drinking alcohol.
Sensible Drinking of alcohol
Drinking alcohol may help you
relax, but too much can affect your nervous system. These tips can help you
remain in control when drinking:
Do
·
Sip
your drinks slowly and develop the habit of putting your glass down between
sips.
·
Drink
water and wine alternately.
·
Know
your limit and stick to it.
·
Give
yourself two to three alcohol-free days per week.
Don’t
·
Become
involved in drinking ‘rounds’.
·
Mix your drinks.
·
Drink
Alcohol to quench your thirst. Take water for that.
·
Instinctively
refill your glass when it is empty.
Make sure you have something to
eat before you have a drink and also while you drink.
Stop Drinking alcohol
In certain cases, reducing the
amount of alcohol intake is not enough. Professional help and support should be
taken from organisations striving to help people adopt a drinking free healthy
lifestyle.
