Excessive alcohol consumption was the third leading cause of preventable death in the U.S. in 2001, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control for Disease Control and Prevention. Alcohol is usually consumed to achieve an altered state due to the effect it has on the central nervous system, but alcohol intoxication actually affects every system in the human body. The intoxicating ingredient in alcohol is ethanol, which is absorbed rapidly from the digestive system into the blood stream. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines alcoholism as a disease with these four symptoms: craving, loss of control, physical dependence and tolerance.
Liver Problems
Chronic alcoholism can lead to a form of liver disease called alcoholic hepatitis, which is an inflamed liver. If the alcohol abuse continues, cirrhosis of the liver can occur. Cirrhosis means irreversible destruction and scarring of the liver.
Digestive Disorders
Alcohol causes the lining of the stomach to become inflamed, which is an uncomfortable condition that prevents proper digestion of food. Alcohol also affects the pancreas, which is responsible for manufacturing important digestive enzymes and hormones necessary for metabolism such as insulin.
Heart Disease
Chronic drinking increases blood pressure, and this leads to a higher incident of heart attacks and strokes.
Complications of Diabetes
The liver is also responsible for the production of glucose, or blood sugar, which provides energy to the body. Cirrhosis may decrease the amount of glucose the liver produces, and this drop in glucose would be very dangerous if the alcoholic is taking insulin to lower blood sugar due to diabetes.
Increased Risk of Cancer
MayoClinic.com discusses the connection between chronic alcohol abuse and certain types of cancer, such as cancers of the mouth, liver, colon, throat and even breast cancer.
Neurological Complications
Alcohol abuse may cause complications to the nervous system. Side effects can include numbness in the hands and feet, dementia and trouble thinking. Up to 80 percent of alcoholics suffer a thiamin deficiency, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Some of these people go on to develop a brain disease called Wernicke--Korsakoff syndrome that hampers cognitive thinking and coordination, among other complications.
Additional Problems
Other side effects may be linked to chronic alcoholism. Chronic alcohol abuse can lead to infertility in women and erectile dysfunction in men. Alcohol can result in eye muscle weakness and paralysis. Alcohol inhibits the development of new bone, which can bring about thinning of the bones and risk of fracture.
References
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Alcohol-Attributable Deaths and Years of Potential Life Lost --- United States, 2001
- Do It Now Foundation: Alcohol: Fast Facts
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism: FAQ for the general public
- MayoClinic.com: Complications
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism: Alcohol Alert
