Many people enjoy a drink without
any problems, but binge drinking or drinking heavily over longer periods of
time can have very serious consequences. Alcohol misuse not only harms the
individual, but damages relationships and society in general in terms of
violence and crime, accidents and drink driving.
In Northern Ireland, the number of
alcohol-related deaths has more than doubled since 1994. The most recent
figures show:
- there were 270 deaths recorded as alcohol-related in 2012;
- there were more than 11,500 alcohol-related admissions to hospitals in 2009/10.
Long-term
effects
As well as the recognised immediate
effects of drinking too much, such as nausea and vomiting, binge drinking and
prolonged heavy drinking over longer periods of time can affect you in many
different ways.
Brain
damage
Binge drinking can cause blackouts,
memory loss and anxiety. Long-term drinking can result in permanent brain
damage, serious mental health problems and alcohol dependence or
alcoholism. For more information on the effects of alcohol on mental
health click here. Young people's brains are particularly vulnerable
because the brain is still developing during their teenage years. Alcohol can
damage parts of the brain, affecting behaviour and the ability to learn and
remember.
Cancers
Drinking alcohol is the second
biggest risk factor for cancers of the mouth and throat (smoking is the
biggest). People who develop cirrhosis of the liver (often caused by too much
alcohol) can develop liver cancer. For more information on the effects of alcohol on women’s
risk of breast cancer click here.
Heart
and circulation
Alcohol can cause high blood
pressure (hypertension), which increases the risk of having a heart attack or
stroke. It also weakens heart muscles, which can affect the lungs, liver, brain
and other body systems, and also cause heart failure. Binge drinking and
drinking heavily over longer periods can cause the heart to beat irregularly
(arrhythmia) and has been linked to cases of sudden death.
Lungs
People who drink a lot of alcohol
have more lung infections, are more likely to suffer collapsed lungs and can be
more likely to get pneumonia. When a person vomits as a result of drinking
alcohol, they may choke if vomit gets sucked into their lungs.
Liver
Drinking too much alcohol initially
causes fat deposits to develop in the liver. With continued excessive drinking,
the liver may become inflamed, causing alcoholic hepatitis, which can result in
liver failure and death. Excessive alcohol can permanently scar and damage the
liver, resulting in liver cirrhosis and an increased risk of liver cancer.
Women are particularly susceptible to the effects of alcohol on the liver. For more information click here.
Stomach
Drinking above recommended limits
can lead to stomach ulcers, internal bleeding and cancer. Alcohol can cause the
stomach to become inflamed (gastritis), which can prevent food from being
absorbed and increase the risk of cancer.
Pancreas
Heavy or prolonged use of alcohol
can cause inflammation of the pancreas, which can be very painful – causing
vomiting, fever and weight loss – and can be fatal.
Intestine
Heavy drinking may result in ulcers
and cancer of the colon. It also affects your body's ability to absorb
nutrients and vitamins.
Kidneys
Heavy drinking can increase your
risk of developing high blood pressure – a leading cause of chronic kidney
disease.
Fertility
In men: impotence (lowered libido/sex drive) and infertility. In
women: infertility.
Drinking alcohol when pregnant can
seriously damage the development of the unborn baby. For more information on the effects of alcohol on fertility
and pregnancy click here.
Bones
Alcohol interferes with the body's
ability to absorb calcium. As a result, your bones become weak and thin
(osteoporosis).
Weight
gain
Alcohol is high in calories. Weight
for weight, the alcohol in a drink contains almost as many calories as fat. The
average bottle of wine contains 600 calories while four pints of average
strength lager contain 640.
Skin
Alcohol dehydrates your body and
your skin. It also widens blood vessels, causing your skin to look red or
blotchy.
Sexual
health
Binge drinking makes you lose your
inhibitions and affects your judgement. This may make you less likely to use a
condom, which increases your risk of getting a sexually transmitted infection
such as chlamydia, HIV or hepatitis. It can also lead to an unplanned
pregnancy.
People may think that alcohol helps
them cope with difficult situations and emotions, and that it reduces stress or
relieves anxiety, but alcohol is in fact associated with a range of mental
health problems including depression, anxiety, risk-taking behaviour,
personality disorders and schizophrenia.
Alcohol has also been linked to
suicide. The Mental Health Foundation reports that:
- 65% of suicides have been linked to excessive drinking;
- 70% of men who take their own life drink alcohol before doing so;
- almost one third of suicides among young people take place while the person is intoxicated.
Excessive drinking can disrupt
normal sleeping patterns, resulting in insomnia and a lack of restful sleep,
which can contribute to stress and anxiety.1
1. Mental Health Foundation. Cheers!
Understanding the relationship between alcohol and mental health. London:
Mental Health Foundation, 2006.
Other
effects
Alcohol affects the parts of your
brain that control judgement, concentration, coordination, behaviour and
emotions. If you binge drink, you may be at greater risk of:
- becoming a victim of crime, eg rape, domestic violence, mugging or assault;
- being involved in anti-social or criminal behaviour, eg fights, domestic violence, vandalism or theft;
- having an accident, eg a road accident, fall, accident at work or accidental fire;
- losing your job, eg repeated absence or poor performance (think about the financial consequences);
- damaging relationships with family or fr
Many
people enjoy a drink without any problems, but binge drinking or
drinking heavily over longer periods of time can have very serious
consequences. Alcohol misuse not only harms the individual, but damages
relationships and society in general in terms of violence and crime,
accidents and drink driving.
In Northern Ireland, the number of alcohol-related deaths has more than doubled since 1994. The most recent figures show:
Drinking alcohol when pregnant can seriously damage the development of the unborn baby. For more information on the effects of alcohol on fertility and pregnancy click here.
Alcohol has also been linked to suicide. The Mental Health Foundation reports that:
1. Mental Health Foundation. Cheers! Understanding the relationship between alcohol and mental health. London: Mental Health Foundation, 2006.
In Northern Ireland, the number of alcohol-related deaths has more than doubled since 1994. The most recent figures show:
- there were 270 deaths recorded as alcohol-related in 2012;
- there were more than 11,500 alcohol-related admissions to hospitals in 2009/10.
Long-term effects
As well as the recognised immediate effects of drinking too much, such as nausea and vomiting, binge drinking and prolonged heavy drinking over longer periods of time can affect you in many different ways.Brain damage
Binge drinking can cause blackouts, memory loss and anxiety. Long-term drinking can result in permanent brain damage, serious mental health problems and alcohol dependence or alcoholism. For more information on the effects of alcohol on mental health click here. Young people's brains are particularly vulnerable because the brain is still developing during their teenage years. Alcohol can damage parts of the brain, affecting behaviour and the ability to learn and remember.Cancers
Drinking alcohol is the second biggest risk factor for cancers of the mouth and throat (smoking is the biggest). People who develop cirrhosis of the liver (often caused by too much alcohol) can develop liver cancer. For more information on the effects of alcohol on women’s risk of breast cancer click here.Heart and circulation
Alcohol can cause high blood pressure (hypertension), which increases the risk of having a heart attack or stroke. It also weakens heart muscles, which can affect the lungs, liver, brain and other body systems, and also cause heart failure. Binge drinking and drinking heavily over longer periods can cause the heart to beat irregularly (arrhythmia) and has been linked to cases of sudden death.Lungs
People who drink a lot of alcohol have more lung infections, are more likely to suffer collapsed lungs and can be more likely to get pneumonia. When a person vomits as a result of drinking alcohol, they may choke if vomit gets sucked into their lungs.Liver
Drinking too much alcohol initially causes fat deposits to develop in the liver. With continued excessive drinking, the liver may become inflamed, causing alcoholic hepatitis, which can result in liver failure and death. Excessive alcohol can permanently scar and damage the liver, resulting in liver cirrhosis and an increased risk of liver cancer. Women are particularly susceptible to the effects of alcohol on the liver. For more information click here.Stomach
Drinking above recommended limits can lead to stomach ulcers, internal bleeding and cancer. Alcohol can cause the stomach to become inflamed (gastritis), which can prevent food from being absorbed and increase the risk of cancer.Pancreas
Heavy or prolonged use of alcohol can cause inflammation of the pancreas, which can be very painful – causing vomiting, fever and weight loss – and can be fatal.Intestine
Heavy drinking may result in ulcers and cancer of the colon. It also affects your body's ability to absorb nutrients and vitamins.Kidneys
Heavy drinking can increase your risk of developing high blood pressure – a leading cause of chronic kidney disease.Fertility
In men: impotence (lowered libido/sex drive) and infertility. In women: infertility.Drinking alcohol when pregnant can seriously damage the development of the unborn baby. For more information on the effects of alcohol on fertility and pregnancy click here.
Bones
Alcohol interferes with the body's ability to absorb calcium. As a result, your bones become weak and thin (osteoporosis).Weight gain
Alcohol is high in calories. Weight for weight, the alcohol in a drink contains almost as many calories as fat. The average bottle of wine contains 600 calories while four pints of average strength lager contain 640.Skin
Alcohol dehydrates your body and your skin. It also widens blood vessels, causing your skin to look red or blotchy.Sexual health
Binge drinking makes you lose your inhibitions and affects your judgement. This may make you less likely to use a condom, which increases your risk of getting a sexually transmitted infection such as chlamydia, HIV or hepatitis. It can also lead to an unplanned pregnancy.Mental health
People may think that alcohol helps them cope with difficult situations and emotions, and that it reduces stress or relieves anxiety, but alcohol is in fact associated with a range of mental health problems including depression, anxiety, risk-taking behaviour, personality disorders and schizophrenia.Alcohol has also been linked to suicide. The Mental Health Foundation reports that:
- 65% of suicides have been linked to excessive drinking;
- 70% of men who take their own life drink alcohol before doing so;
- almost one third of suicides among young people take place while the person is intoxicated.
1. Mental Health Foundation. Cheers! Understanding the relationship between alcohol and mental health. London: Mental Health Foundation, 2006.
Other effects
Alcohol affects the parts of your brain that control judgement, concentration, coordination, behaviour and emotions. If you binge drink, you may be at greater risk of:- becoming a victim of crime, eg rape, domestic violence, mugging or assault;
- being involved in anti-social or criminal behaviour, eg fights, domestic violence, vandalism or theft;
- having an accident, eg a road accident, fall, accident at work or accidental fire;
- losing your job, eg repeated absence or poor performance (think about the financial consequences);
- damaging relationships with family or fr
Many
people enjoy a drink without any problems, but binge drinking or
drinking heavily over longer periods of time can have very serious
consequences. Alcohol misuse not only harms the individual, but damages
relationships and society in general in terms of violence and crime,
accidents and drink driving.
In Northern Ireland, the number of alcohol-related deaths has more than doubled since 1994. The most recent figures show:
Drinking alcohol when pregnant can seriously damage the development of the unborn baby. For more information on the effects of alcohol on fertility and pregnancy click here.
Alcohol has also been linked to suicide. The Mental Health Foundation reports that:
1. Mental Health Foundation. Cheers! Understanding the relationship between alcohol and mental health. London: Mental Health Foundation, 2006.
In Northern Ireland, the number of alcohol-related deaths has more than doubled since 1994. The most recent figures show:
- there were 270 deaths recorded as alcohol-related in 2012;
- there were more than 11,500 alcohol-related admissions to hospitals in 2009/10.
Long-term effects
As well as the recognised immediate effects of drinking too much, such as nausea and vomiting, binge drinking and prolonged heavy drinking over longer periods of time can affect you in many different ways.Brain damage
Binge drinking can cause blackouts, memory loss and anxiety. Long-term drinking can result in permanent brain damage, serious mental health problems and alcohol dependence or alcoholism. For more information on the effects of alcohol on mental health click here. Young people's brains are particularly vulnerable because the brain is still developing during their teenage years. Alcohol can damage parts of the brain, affecting behaviour and the ability to learn and remember.Cancers
Drinking alcohol is the second biggest risk factor for cancers of the mouth and throat (smoking is the biggest). People who develop cirrhosis of the liver (often caused by too much alcohol) can develop liver cancer. For more information on the effects of alcohol on women’s risk of breast cancer click here.Heart and circulation
Alcohol can cause high blood pressure (hypertension), which increases the risk of having a heart attack or stroke. It also weakens heart muscles, which can affect the lungs, liver, brain and other body systems, and also cause heart failure. Binge drinking and drinking heavily over longer periods can cause the heart to beat irregularly (arrhythmia) and has been linked to cases of sudden death.Lungs
People who drink a lot of alcohol have more lung infections, are more likely to suffer collapsed lungs and can be more likely to get pneumonia. When a person vomits as a result of drinking alcohol, they may choke if vomit gets sucked into their lungs.Liver
Drinking too much alcohol initially causes fat deposits to develop in the liver. With continued excessive drinking, the liver may become inflamed, causing alcoholic hepatitis, which can result in liver failure and death. Excessive alcohol can permanently scar and damage the liver, resulting in liver cirrhosis and an increased risk of liver cancer. Women are particularly susceptible to the effects of alcohol on the liver. For more information click here.Stomach
Drinking above recommended limits can lead to stomach ulcers, internal bleeding and cancer. Alcohol can cause the stomach to become inflamed (gastritis), which can prevent food from being absorbed and increase the risk of cancer.Pancreas
Heavy or prolonged use of alcohol can cause inflammation of the pancreas, which can be very painful – causing vomiting, fever and weight loss – and can be fatal.Intestine
Heavy drinking may result in ulcers and cancer of the colon. It also affects your body's ability to absorb nutrients and vitamins.Kidneys
Heavy drinking can increase your risk of developing high blood pressure – a leading cause of chronic kidney disease.Fertility
In men: impotence (lowered libido/sex drive) and infertility. In women: infertility.Drinking alcohol when pregnant can seriously damage the development of the unborn baby. For more information on the effects of alcohol on fertility and pregnancy click here.
Bones
Alcohol interferes with the body's ability to absorb calcium. As a result, your bones become weak and thin (osteoporosis).Weight gain
Alcohol is high in calories. Weight for weight, the alcohol in a drink contains almost as many calories as fat. The average bottle of wine contains 600 calories while four pints of average strength lager contain 640.Skin
Alcohol dehydrates your body and your skin. It also widens blood vessels, causing your skin to look red or blotchy.Sexual health
Binge drinking makes you lose your inhibitions and affects your judgement. This may make you less likely to use a condom, which increases your risk of getting a sexually transmitted infection such as chlamydia, HIV or hepatitis. It can also lead to an unplanned pregnancy.Mental health
People may think that alcohol helps them cope with difficult situations and emotions, and that it reduces stress or relieves anxiety, but alcohol is in fact associated with a range of mental health problems including depression, anxiety, risk-taking behaviour, personality disorders and schizophrenia.Alcohol has also been linked to suicide. The Mental Health Foundation reports that:
- 65% of suicides have been linked to excessive drinking;
- 70% of men who take their own life drink alcohol before doing so;
- almost one third of suicides among young people take place while the person is intoxicated.
1. Mental Health Foundation. Cheers! Understanding the relationship between alcohol and mental health. London: Mental Health Foundation, 2006.
Other effects
Alcohol affects the parts of your brain that control judgement, concentration, coordination, behaviour and emotions. If you binge drink, you may be at greater risk of:- becoming a victim of crime, eg rape, domestic violence, mugging or assault;
- being involved in anti-social or criminal behaviour, eg fights, domestic violence, vandalism or theft;
- having an accident, eg a road accident, fall, accident at work or accidental fire;
- losing your job, eg repeated absence or poor performance (think about the financial consequences);
- damaging relationships with family or fr
Many
people enjoy a drink without any problems, but binge drinking or
drinking heavily over longer periods of time can have very serious
consequences. Alcohol misuse not only harms the individual, but damages
relationships and society in general in terms of violence and crime,
accidents and drink driving.
In Northern Ireland, the number of alcohol-related deaths has more than doubled since 1994. The most recent figures show:
Drinking alcohol when pregnant can seriously damage the development of the unborn baby. For more information on the effects of alcohol on fertility and pregnancy click here.
Alcohol has also been linked to suicide. The Mental Health Foundation reports that:
1. Mental Health Foundation. Cheers! Understanding the relationship between alcohol and mental health. London: Mental Health Foundation, 2006.
In Northern Ireland, the number of alcohol-related deaths has more than doubled since 1994. The most recent figures show:
- there were 270 deaths recorded as alcohol-related in 2012;
- there were more than 11,500 alcohol-related admissions to hospitals in 2009/10.
Long-term effects
As well as the recognised immediate effects of drinking too much, such as nausea and vomiting, binge drinking and prolonged heavy drinking over longer periods of time can affect you in many different ways.Brain damage
Binge drinking can cause blackouts, memory loss and anxiety. Long-term drinking can result in permanent brain damage, serious mental health problems and alcohol dependence or alcoholism. For more information on the effects of alcohol on mental health click here. Young people's brains are particularly vulnerable because the brain is still developing during their teenage years. Alcohol can damage parts of the brain, affecting behaviour and the ability to learn and remember.Cancers
Drinking alcohol is the second biggest risk factor for cancers of the mouth and throat (smoking is the biggest). People who develop cirrhosis of the liver (often caused by too much alcohol) can develop liver cancer. For more information on the effects of alcohol on women’s risk of breast cancer click here.Heart and circulation
Alcohol can cause high blood pressure (hypertension), which increases the risk of having a heart attack or stroke. It also weakens heart muscles, which can affect the lungs, liver, brain and other body systems, and also cause heart failure. Binge drinking and drinking heavily over longer periods can cause the heart to beat irregularly (arrhythmia) and has been linked to cases of sudden death.Lungs
People who drink a lot of alcohol have more lung infections, are more likely to suffer collapsed lungs and can be more likely to get pneumonia. When a person vomits as a result of drinking alcohol, they may choke if vomit gets sucked into their lungs.Liver
Drinking too much alcohol initially causes fat deposits to develop in the liver. With continued excessive drinking, the liver may become inflamed, causing alcoholic hepatitis, which can result in liver failure and death. Excessive alcohol can permanently scar and damage the liver, resulting in liver cirrhosis and an increased risk of liver cancer. Women are particularly susceptible to the effects of alcohol on the liver. For more information click here.Stomach
Drinking above recommended limits can lead to stomach ulcers, internal bleeding and cancer. Alcohol can cause the stomach to become inflamed (gastritis), which can prevent food from being absorbed and increase the risk of cancer.Pancreas
Heavy or prolonged use of alcohol can cause inflammation of the pancreas, which can be very painful – causing vomiting, fever and weight loss – and can be fatal.Intestine
Heavy drinking may result in ulcers and cancer of the colon. It also affects your body's ability to absorb nutrients and vitamins.Kidneys
Heavy drinking can increase your risk of developing high blood pressure – a leading cause of chronic kidney disease.Fertility
In men: impotence (lowered libido/sex drive) and infertility. In women: infertility.Drinking alcohol when pregnant can seriously damage the development of the unborn baby. For more information on the effects of alcohol on fertility and pregnancy click here.
Bones
Alcohol interferes with the body's ability to absorb calcium. As a result, your bones become weak and thin (osteoporosis).Weight gain
Alcohol is high in calories. Weight for weight, the alcohol in a drink contains almost as many calories as fat. The average bottle of wine contains 600 calories while four pints of average strength lager contain 640.Skin
Alcohol dehydrates your body and your skin. It also widens blood vessels, causing your skin to look red or blotchy.Sexual health
Binge drinking makes you lose your inhibitions and affects your judgement. This may make you less likely to use a condom, which increases your risk of getting a sexually transmitted infection such as chlamydia, HIV or hepatitis. It can also lead to an unplanned pregnancy.Mental health
People may think that alcohol helps them cope with difficult situations and emotions, and that it reduces stress or relieves anxiety, but alcohol is in fact associated with a range of mental health problems including depression, anxiety, risk-taking behaviour, personality disorders and schizophrenia.Alcohol has also been linked to suicide. The Mental Health Foundation reports that:
- 65% of suicides have been linked to excessive drinking;
- 70% of men who take their own life drink alcohol before doing so;
- almost one third of suicides among young people take place while the person is intoxicated.
1. Mental Health Foundation. Cheers! Understanding the relationship between alcohol and mental health. London: Mental Health Foundation, 2006.
Other effects
Alcohol affects the parts of your brain that control judgement, concentration, coordination, behaviour and emotions. If you binge drink, you may be at greater risk of:- becoming a victim of crime, eg rape, domestic violence, mugging or assault;
- being involved in anti-social or criminal behaviour, eg fights, domestic violence, vandalism or theft;
- having an accident, eg a road accident, fall, accident at work or accidental fire;
- losing your job, eg repeated absence or poor performance (think about the financial consequences);
- damaging relationships with family or fr
Even
a small amount of alcohol has an affect on your body. When you drink,
alcohol is absorbed into your bloodstream and distributed throughout
your body. A tiny amount of alcohol exits your body in your urine and
your breath.
You absorb alcohol more slowly if you eat, especially if the food is high in fat. However, if you drink more than your body can process, you’ll get drunk. How quickly alcohol is metabolized depends on your size and gender, among other things.
Alcohol consumption causes physical and emotional changes that can do great harm to your body. The long-term effects of alcohol abuse are many, putting your health in serious jeopardy and endangering your life.
The
excretory system is responsible for processing and eliminating waste
products like alcohol from your body. As part of that process, the
pancreas secretes digestive enzymes that combine with bile from the
gallbladder to help digest food. The pancreas also helps regulate
insulin and glucose.
Excessive alcohol use can cause the pancreas to produce toxic substances that interfere with proper functioning. The resulting inflammation is called pancreatitis, a serious problem that can destroy the pancreas. One of the most frequent causes of chronic pancreatitis is alcohol abuse.
The liver’s job is to break down harmful substances, including alcohol. Excessive drinking can cause alcoholic hepatitis which can lead to the development of jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes). Chronic liver inflammation can lead to severe scarring known as cirrhosis. This formation of scar tissue can destroy the liver. When the liver fails to perform, toxic substances remain in your body. Liver disease is life threatening. Women are at higher risk for alcoholic liver disease than men, because women’s bodies tend to absorb more alcohol and take longer to process it.
When the pancreas and liver don’t function properly, the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) rises. A damaged pancreas can cause the body to be unable to utilize sugar due to a lack of insulin, which can lead to hyperglycemia. Unbalanced blood sugar levels can be a dangerous problem, especially for people with diabetes. Alcohol abuse also raises your risk of liver cancer.
One
of the first signs of alcohol in your system is a change in behavior.
Alcohol travels through the body easily. It can quickly reach many parts
of your body, including your brain and other parts of your central
nervous system. That can make it harder to talk, causing slurred speech,
the telltale sign that someone who has had too much to drink. It can
also affect coordination, interfering with balance and the ability to
walk.
Drink too much, and your ability to think clearly is in trouble, as are your impulse control and ability to form memories. Over the long term, drinking can actually shrink the frontal lobes of your brain. Acute alcoholic withdrawal can lead to seizures and delirium. And severe alcoholism can progress to permanent brain damage, causing dementia.
Damage to your nervous system can result in pain, numbness, or abnormal sensations in your feet and hands. Alcoholism can cause a thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency, which can result in involuntary rapid eye movements, weakness, or paralysis of the eye muscles.
Men and women metabolize alcohol differently. It generally takes less alcohol to affect women.
Over time, a heavy drinker can become physically and emotionally dependent on alcohol. It may be very difficult to gain control. Unlike most other common addictions, acute alcohol withdrawal can be life threatening. Cases of severe, chronic alcohol addiction often require medical detoxification.
When an alcoholic stops drinking abruptly, they’re likely to experience symptoms of withdrawal, such as:
Alcohol
can wreak havoc on your digestive system, from your mouth all the way
to your colon. Even a single incidence of heavy drinking can injure
parts of your digestive tract.
Alcohol abuse can damage the salivary glands and irritate the mouth and tongue, leading to gum disease, tooth decay, and even tooth loss. Heavy drinking can cause ulcers in the esophagus, acid reflux, and heartburn. Stomach ulcers and inflammation of the stomach lining (gastritis) can occur.
Inflammation of the pancreas interferes with its ability to aid digestion and regulate metabolism. Damage to the digestive system can cause gassiness, abdominal fullness, and diarrhea. It can also lead to dangerous internal bleeding, which may be due to ulcers, hemorrhoids, or esophageal varices caused by cirrhosis.
Alcohol makes it harder for your digestive tract to absorb nutrients and B vitamins or control bacteria. Alcoholics often suffer from malnutrition. Heavy drinkers face higher risk of mouth, throat, and esophagus cancers. Moderate drinking in the presence of tobacco use can raise the risk of these upper-gastrointestinal cancers. Colon cancer is also a risk. Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal may include nausea and vomiting.
In
some cases, a single episode of heavy drinking can cause trouble for
your heart. It’s even more likely your heart will suffer if you’re a
chronic drinker. Women who drink are at even higher risk of heart damage
than men.
Circulatory system complications include:
Erectile
dysfunction is a common side effect of alcohol abuse in men. It can
also inhibit hormone production, affect testicular function, and cause
infertility.
Excessive drinking can cause a woman to stop menstruating and become infertile. It also can increase her risk of miscarriage, premature delivery, and stillbirth. Alcohol has a huge effect on fetal development. A range of problems, called fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), can occur. FASD symptoms, which include physical abnormalities, learning difficulties, and emotional problems, can last a lifetime.
For women, the risk of breast cancer rises with alcohol use.
Long-term
alcohol use makes it harder for your body to produce new bone. Drinking
puts you at increased risk of osteoporosis (thinning bones) and bone
fractures. Muscles become prone to weakness, cramps, and even atrophy.
An
immune system weakened by alcohol abuse has a hard time fighting off
viruses, germs, and all types of illness. Heavy drinkers are more likely
to get pneumonia or tuberculosis than the general population. Chronic
alcohol use increases your risk of many forms of cancer.
- See more at: http://www.healthline.com/health/alcohol/effects-on-body#sthash.0FwAsSMn.dpuf
You absorb alcohol more slowly if you eat, especially if the food is high in fat. However, if you drink more than your body can process, you’ll get drunk. How quickly alcohol is metabolized depends on your size and gender, among other things.
Alcohol consumption causes physical and emotional changes that can do great harm to your body. The long-term effects of alcohol abuse are many, putting your health in serious jeopardy and endangering your life.
Excretory System
The
excretory system is responsible for processing and eliminating waste
products like alcohol from your body. As part of that process, the
pancreas secretes digestive enzymes that combine with bile from the
gallbladder to help digest food. The pancreas also helps regulate
insulin and glucose.Excessive alcohol use can cause the pancreas to produce toxic substances that interfere with proper functioning. The resulting inflammation is called pancreatitis, a serious problem that can destroy the pancreas. One of the most frequent causes of chronic pancreatitis is alcohol abuse.
The liver’s job is to break down harmful substances, including alcohol. Excessive drinking can cause alcoholic hepatitis which can lead to the development of jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes). Chronic liver inflammation can lead to severe scarring known as cirrhosis. This formation of scar tissue can destroy the liver. When the liver fails to perform, toxic substances remain in your body. Liver disease is life threatening. Women are at higher risk for alcoholic liver disease than men, because women’s bodies tend to absorb more alcohol and take longer to process it.
When the pancreas and liver don’t function properly, the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) rises. A damaged pancreas can cause the body to be unable to utilize sugar due to a lack of insulin, which can lead to hyperglycemia. Unbalanced blood sugar levels can be a dangerous problem, especially for people with diabetes. Alcohol abuse also raises your risk of liver cancer.
Central Nervous System
One
of the first signs of alcohol in your system is a change in behavior.
Alcohol travels through the body easily. It can quickly reach many parts
of your body, including your brain and other parts of your central
nervous system. That can make it harder to talk, causing slurred speech,
the telltale sign that someone who has had too much to drink. It can
also affect coordination, interfering with balance and the ability to
walk.Drink too much, and your ability to think clearly is in trouble, as are your impulse control and ability to form memories. Over the long term, drinking can actually shrink the frontal lobes of your brain. Acute alcoholic withdrawal can lead to seizures and delirium. And severe alcoholism can progress to permanent brain damage, causing dementia.
Damage to your nervous system can result in pain, numbness, or abnormal sensations in your feet and hands. Alcoholism can cause a thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency, which can result in involuntary rapid eye movements, weakness, or paralysis of the eye muscles.
Men and women metabolize alcohol differently. It generally takes less alcohol to affect women.
Over time, a heavy drinker can become physically and emotionally dependent on alcohol. It may be very difficult to gain control. Unlike most other common addictions, acute alcohol withdrawal can be life threatening. Cases of severe, chronic alcohol addiction often require medical detoxification.
When an alcoholic stops drinking abruptly, they’re likely to experience symptoms of withdrawal, such as:
- nausea
- anxiety
- nervousness
- tremors
Digestive System
Alcohol
can wreak havoc on your digestive system, from your mouth all the way
to your colon. Even a single incidence of heavy drinking can injure
parts of your digestive tract.Alcohol abuse can damage the salivary glands and irritate the mouth and tongue, leading to gum disease, tooth decay, and even tooth loss. Heavy drinking can cause ulcers in the esophagus, acid reflux, and heartburn. Stomach ulcers and inflammation of the stomach lining (gastritis) can occur.
Inflammation of the pancreas interferes with its ability to aid digestion and regulate metabolism. Damage to the digestive system can cause gassiness, abdominal fullness, and diarrhea. It can also lead to dangerous internal bleeding, which may be due to ulcers, hemorrhoids, or esophageal varices caused by cirrhosis.
Alcohol makes it harder for your digestive tract to absorb nutrients and B vitamins or control bacteria. Alcoholics often suffer from malnutrition. Heavy drinkers face higher risk of mouth, throat, and esophagus cancers. Moderate drinking in the presence of tobacco use can raise the risk of these upper-gastrointestinal cancers. Colon cancer is also a risk. Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal may include nausea and vomiting.
Circulatory System
In
some cases, a single episode of heavy drinking can cause trouble for
your heart. It’s even more likely your heart will suffer if you’re a
chronic drinker. Women who drink are at even higher risk of heart damage
than men.Circulatory system complications include:
- poisoning of the heart muscle cells (cardiomyopathy)
- irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)
- high blood pressure
- stroke
- heart attack
- heart failure
Sexual and Reproductive Health
Erectile
dysfunction is a common side effect of alcohol abuse in men. It can
also inhibit hormone production, affect testicular function, and cause
infertility.Excessive drinking can cause a woman to stop menstruating and become infertile. It also can increase her risk of miscarriage, premature delivery, and stillbirth. Alcohol has a huge effect on fetal development. A range of problems, called fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), can occur. FASD symptoms, which include physical abnormalities, learning difficulties, and emotional problems, can last a lifetime.
For women, the risk of breast cancer rises with alcohol use.
Skeletal and Muscle Systems
Long-term
alcohol use makes it harder for your body to produce new bone. Drinking
puts you at increased risk of osteoporosis (thinning bones) and bone
fractures. Muscles become prone to weakness, cramps, and even atrophy.Immune System
An
immune system weakened by alcohol abuse has a hard time fighting off
viruses, germs, and all types of illness. Heavy drinkers are more likely
to get pneumonia or tuberculosis than the general population. Chronic
alcohol use increases your risk of many forms of cancer.- See more at: http://www.healthline.com/health/alcohol/effects-on-body#sthash.0FwAsSMn.dpuf
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