Alcohol affects everyone differently. Depending on how much alcohol is consumed and for how long, drinking can play a major role in physical and mental illness. Recovery from chronic alcoholism may include the need for medical attention and social support. However, if drinking stops in time, many alcohol-related diseases are reversible.
Effects on the Liver
There are three types of alcohol-related liver disease: fatty liver disease, alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis. Almost all heavy drinkers have some degree of fatty liver, the result of overwhelming the liver at the expense of its other digestive functions, such as breaking down and distributing fats, according to the National Liver Foundation. The buildup of fat can lead to inflammation, or alcoholic hepatitis. The liver may become swollen and tender, and be unable to perform its normal function of filtering blood. The result is an accumulation of toxins, causing changes in the skin. Tiny blood vessels near the surface of the skin may break, leading to the appearance of spider veins. Jaundice and itching may also be symptoms of alcoholic hepatitis. If drinking does not stop, liver tissue becomes scarred. This is cirrhosis, or irreversible liver damage. In late stages, blood can no longer flow through the liver and blood vessels elsewhere in the body become distended. Complications include internal bleeding, cancer and liver failure.
Cardiovascular Effects
Excessive drinking can lead to hypertension, according to the American Heart Association. Over time, high blood pressure damages the lining of blood vessels leading from the lungs to the heart. Blockages and narrowing of these blood vessels is called coronary artery disease (CAD), and can result in chest pain or heart attack. Damage to blood vessels in the brain may lead to stroke. Electrolyte imbalance caused by heavy drinking coupled with CAD may also lead to sudden death from cardiac arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat. The heart works harder until it can no longer effectively pump blood to other parts of the body. Water retention and shortness of breath are symptoms of alcoholic cardiomyopathy, or heart failure.
Effects on the Brain
Alcohol's effects on the developing brain are well-known; the March of Dimes says drinking during pregnancy is the leading cause of mental retardation. Alcohol intoxication is characterized by brain impairments such as slurred speech and difficulty walking. Blackouts, or periods of amnesia, may occur as a result of drinking too much alcohol too quickly (binge drinking). Heavy drinking is believed to have long-term effects on the brain, including disruption in the growth of new brain cells. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) reports that 80 percent of alcoholics are deficient in thiamine. Thiamine-deficiency related brain inflammation causes memory lapses, confusion and may progress to dementia and psychosis. Alcoholic liver disease can also lead to confusion, anxiety and depression as ammonia and other toxins build up in the bloodstream and enter the brain.
Member Comments