Ethanol is one of the most widely available and abused drugs worldwide. In moderate amounts it is generally well tolerated, however, in excessive amounts it has serious physical and psychological effects. The burden of alcohol abuse is borne by the user, his friends and family and often society as a whole.
Nervous System Effects
Alcohol acts as a depressant on the nervous system, first acting on the parts of the brain that inhibit brain activity. As a result there is a paradoxical stimulation of brain activity and lack of inhibition, but with more and more intake brain activity becomes further depressed, including centers of the brain that control breathing. Respiratory arrest can occur as a result of this. Alcohol can also cause a thiamine (Vitamin B1) deficiency and resultant damage to the peripheral nerves along with Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome refers to damage to brain structures as a result of the thiamine deficiency. It manifests with confusion, uncoordinated gait, visual problems, hallucinations, amnesia, coma and even death. In addition, alcoholics tend to have decreased size of the brain and damage to the cerebellum, which can result in problems with coordination of body movements.
Cardiovascular System
Alcohol has many damaging effects on the cardiovascular system. Alcohol can cause direct damage to the heart tissue, causing it to dilate and resulting in a weaker pump and increased risk of congestive heart failure. Chronic alcohol use also increases the risk of hypertension, which has a variety of health detriments, especially on heart function.
Effects on the Liver
The liver is the main organ affected by chronic alcohol abuse. Alcoholic hepatitis (damage to the liver directly from alcohol) and resulting cirrhosis can result from chronic alcohol use. The risk of liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma) is markedly increased in those with cirrhosis, as are the side effects of a failing liver. These include fluid in the abdomen, swelling in the extremities, malnutrition syndromes and increased bleeding tendencies.
Effects on the Gastrointestinal System
Alcohol can irritate the stomach lining and cause gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining) and stomach ulcers. Bleeding can result from the gastritis. Another serious problem is esophageal varices, swollen blood vessels in the esophagus associated with cirrhosis, which can be life-threatening. In addition, alcohol is a substantial source of calories with no nutritional content. Chronic use can lead to malnutrition and vitamin deficiency, especially of the B vitamins.
Birth Defects
The use of alcohol during pregnancy, even in very small amounts, can result in fetal alcohol syndrome. This consists of a small head (microcephaly), growth retardation and facial abnormalities in the newborn. In addition, there will be a noticeable reduction in mental function as the child grows older. It is hard to pinpoint exactly how much alcohol can cause damage to the fetus, so pregnant women are advised to abstain entirely.
References
- "Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, Professional Edition, 8th Edition;" Kumar; 2009
- "Journal of the American Dietetic Association;" Alcohol Consumption by Aging Adults in the United States: Health Benefits and Detriments; Ferreira, MP et al. Volume 108, October 2008.
