The National Association for Children of Alcoholics estimates that more than 11 million American children younger than 18 live in homes directly affected by alcoholism. Children raised in homes with alcoholism experience a different reality of...
Drinking alcohol is quite common in the U.S. -- about 50 percent of the U.S. population regularly drinks alcohol, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. There is scientific evidence that people who drink moderately may be...
When a person drinks alcohol, it passes through multiple parts of the body. Starting at the mouth, the alcohol travels down to the stomach and small intestine, and spreads to the heart, brain and liver, according to the University of Washington....
The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) reports that in the United States, prenatal exposure to alcohol is the most common cause of birth defects. No amount of alcohol exposure during pregnancy is deemed safe to the fetus....
Effexor, which is the brand name for the medication venlafaxine, is an antidepressant typically prescribed to treat depression or anxiety. This type of antidepressant is a selective serontonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), which not only have their...
Everything that humans consume goes through the body's internal processes. Whether we are aware of it or not, these products can have unintended effects. We often drink alcohol to relax or as part of a social activity. How the body breaks down and...
Alcohol can raise levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL). This heart-healthy form of cholesterol scoops up extra fat in blood and transports it to the liver for storage and disposal. An HDL level of at least 50 mg per deciliter is optimal for...
According to the U.S.Department of Agriculture's Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005, daily moderate alcohol consumption, consisting of one drink for women and two for men, can be beneficial. Adults who drink in moderation have lower rates of...
Drinking moderate amounts of alcohol keeps your heart healthy, reports the Harvard School of Public Health. However, the benefits of drinking alcohol evaporate when a person's drinking crosses the line from moderate to excessive. This has...
Advil is a brand-name form of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug ibuprofen. Like other NSAIDs, such as naproxen and aspirin, ibuprofen is unsafe to take with alcohol as doing so may lead to liver damage and disease. As both Advil and alcohol...
Isopropyl alcohol, also called rubbing alcohol, is a specific type of alcoholic solution characterized by high flammability, a strong odor and a fast evaporation rate. It is also a common ingredient in some hair care products, and even has some...
The human liver performs many jobs that are vital to keeping us healthy: breaking down fat, protein and carbohydrates to maintain our metabolism, aiding digestion and detoxifying the body. The liver works to remove toxins such as alcohol from the...
Any type of alcohol consumption during pregnancy can have dire consequences. Alcohol is immediately passed from the pregnant woman's blood stream to the unborn baby. The alcohol can damage the cells inside of the baby and also affect its growth...
Alcohol and muscle development don’t mix. The Notre Dame Office of Alcohol and Drug Education states that alcohol can basically wipe out any physiological benefits achieved through training, weightlifting or physical activity. Protein...
Harvard Medical School reports that people who carry significant amounts of belly fat face a heightened risk for heart disease. The biologically active fat --- medically referred to as visceral fat --- elevates your blood sugar and blood pressure...
Drinking too much alcohol can affect vitamin B12 absorption, causing a number of potential health problems. Even though the body can store vitamin B12 in the liver for years, it can take quite a long time for deficiency to occur. However, the Do...
Fetal alcohol effect or fetal alcohol syndrome is a condition that affects newborn children and is a result of alcohol exposure while in the womb. According to the Mayo Clinic, fetal alcohol syndrome can cause mental retardation and learning...
According to a 2003 study published in Alcohol Research and Health by Mary Ann Emanuele et al., alcohol consumption can alter the healthy functioning of the female reproductive system and organs. Alcohol can inhibit and disrupt menstrual cycles...
Some people report pain in their joints, especially their knees and wrists, after drinking alcohol. However, researchers have not be able to identify a link between alcohol consumption and joint pain. Studies instead suggest that obesity is more...
Rheumatoid arthritis, also referred to as RA, affects the joints with pain and swelling. It affects millions of people who learn to live with the disease and work through the pain. Medication is part of life for arthritis sufferers, who sometimes...
One of the effects of a good drink is the high the drinker experiences. Elevated blood pressure levels create part of that high. Your genes and chemical make-up will determine the amount of booze your body can take before it starts affecting your...
The Mayo Clinic reports that common symptoms of alcoholism are both mental and physical. These symptoms include: inability to limit the amount of alcohol consumed, craving a drink, having a high tolerance to alcohol's effects, and experiencing...
Alcoholism can have major effects on the people who must interact with the alcoholic. The alcoholic has a dependency that adversely affects behavior and social functioning. It also negatively effects the body, increasing the risk of having a...
Alcoholism in a family has usually devastating effects on the children. Because alcoholism is often long term and a brain-related illness, it is often difficult for the alcohol abuser to stop abusing. The family usually takes on unhealthy roles in...
Alcoholism is a chronic and treatable disease that is characterized by the excessive physical and psychological dependence, craving and loss of control. Alcoholism is a term that is often used interchangeably with alcohol dependence and alcohol...
Alcoholism causes problems with the alcoholic's family and with society in general. The violence, disturbances, loss of productivity and fatal consequences from alcoholism affect everyone. The alcoholic also faces serious health disorders that can...
The effects of alcoholism on the home environment has received little attention to date, warns the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. When a person has alcoholism, the effects are felt in the home among all family members. The effects on the home can be...
Alcoholism is characterized by physical and psychological dependence on alcohol. Dependency may develop from long-term abuse, and increasing amounts are needed to reach the desired effect. Constant exposure to alcohol alters the sensitivity of...
Alcohol, even after one or two drinks, can damage the brain; when a person abuses alcohol, the damages become irreversible. Alcohol is a central nervous depressant, which decreases activity in the cerebral cortex, reticular formation, spinal cord...
Nutrition during pregnancy is very important for the health of your baby. Learn about a healthy diet for pregnancy in this nutrition video.
The NADA protocol is an acupuncture ear treatment method that is effective with treating addiction. Learn more about ear treatments and acupuncture from our medical expert in this free video.
