Drinking too much alcohol can cause a variety of health problems, from impairing judgment to liver damage. However, moderate drinking, defined as no more than one drink for women and two for men per day, can have beneficial effects on overall...
One or two drinks per day may provide a health benefit, according to MayoClinic.com. However, excessive drinking can lead to alcohol abuse or alcoholism. Alcoholism is defined by the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism as a medical...
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...
Smoking and drinking are two lifestyle habits that get a lot of negative criticism in the health industry, and for good reason. They both cause multiple complications with the body that can range from mild to life-threatening. The only exception...
Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant that temporarily increases attention, alertness and motor activity, reports the University of Michigan Health Service. Alcohol is a depressant, which serves to slow down brain and motor activity....
Abusing alcohol has physical effects on every organ in your body, but none as much as the liver. Every bit of alcohol that you drink has to pass through your liver, which works as a filter to eliminate toxins from your body. Simply consuming an...
Many people commonly abuse drugs and alcohol, although others may use these items recreationally. A moderate intake of alcohol is relatively harmless to the human body, while drugs may cause more severe issues depending on the type and strength....
The dehydrating effects of caffeine and alcohol have commonly been advanced by a myriad of authorities, including Harvard Medical School and Vanderbilt University. But recent studies call in question whether drinks containing caffeine decrease...
Hydration refers to the amount of fluid retained and used by the body. The Kendrick Fincher Hydration Foundation notes that the body is made up of 75 percent water, which is important for carrying nutrients and oxygen to all the cells. A hydrated...
Alcohol has depressant properties and is one of the oldest known mind-altering substances. It is consumed for its central nervous system effects, which include relaxation, reduced inhibitions and euphoria. Alcohol's effects can be classified as...
Medical professionals have commonly warned against the dehydrating effects of alcohol and caffeine in the body. As of 2010, authorities such as Harvard Medical School and Vanderbilt University continue to advance the dehydrating effects of both....
Chronic consumption of large amounts of alcohol can cause destruction in the body in a variety of ways. A compound in alcohol called ethanol works on a cellular level. The cells of the body need protection from outside invaders or a variety of...
MedlinePlus, an online medical encyclopedia maintained by the U.S. National Library of Medicine, reports that alcoholism is a disease characterized by four features relating to alcohol: craving, loss of control, physical dependence and high...
Alcohol is the oldest drug still used today. People have enjoyed its various incarnations since the discovery of fermentation, and the effects alcohol has on the body have been experienced to some degree by many. Hot flashes and flushing are...
A normal resting heart rate is somewhere between 60 and 100 beats per minute. Many factors can influence your heart rate, including your emotions, temperature, body position, physical activity, body size, level of fitness and the food and drink...
Nettle tea has been used for centuries as a diuretic and to treat pain conditions, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Nettle tea may also be useful in treating benign prostatic hyperplasia, or an enlarged prostate. Although...
Since alcohol is socially accepted and commonly used, especially during social functions, the dangers of alcohol are often overlooked. Alcohol is a drug that can cause poisoning and even death. There are many physical effects that alcohol can have...
Many adults partake in a glass of alcohol occasionally. In moderation, drinking alcohol can be a fun social activity when shared among people. However, when alcohol is consumed in large quantities over a long period of time, it can lead to...
Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant used recreationally for its intoxicating effects. Alcohol dependence occurs when a person requires alcohol to avoid physical withdrawals and continues to drink despite obvious negative effects. Both...
Heavy use of alcohol can interfere with a number of biological aspects of the body and effect the immediate functioning of the brain, heart and other organ systems. While alcohol can have negative short-term effects on biological function, chronic...
Diet pills are widely available over-the-counter in many different forms, from herbs to stimulants to medications that block fat absorption. The manufacturers of these pills purport their benefit as a weight loss supplement. But as with any...
Withdrawal is the term used to describe symptoms that commonly occur when you discontinue use of certain substances, including some medications, alcohol, tobacco and recreational drugs. FamilyDoctor.org states that if you go through withdrawal...
Alcohol detoxification is a term used when an alcoholic decides to rid his body of the effects of alcoholism. While an alcoholic is generally always labeled as one, he can go into rehabilitation and learn to reprogram his body to survive without...
You might picture a person with liver disease as someone who needs to gain weight, not lose it. But one type of liver disease, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, often abbreviated as NASH, occurs most frequently in overweight or obese people....
High density lipoprotein, or HDL, cholesterol is often called "good" cholesterol due to its beneficial health effects. Every incremental increase in HDL cholesterol results in decreased heart disease risk. Therefore, raising HDL levels is a great...
Alcohol by itself is a dangerous drug. It can damage a fetus and harm every organ in your body. Alcohol is addicting and alcohol abuse can lead to cancer, stroke, heart disease and liver failure. Stimulants used for weight loss also can be...
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism estimates that 17.6 million adults in the United States are alcoholics or have a problem with chronic alcohol abuse. Strong cravings for alcohol, difficulty stopping after one or two drinks,...
Alcoholism is a chronic disease in which the body becomes physically dependent on alcohol. In some cases, however, individuals may not exhibit symptoms but abuse the substance that can interfere with normal daily activity. Generally, alcoholics...
Alcohol affects the entire body, including the brain, nervous system, liver, heart, and the individual's emotional well-being. Its effects are directly related to the amount of alcohol ingested. Factors that influence the effects of alcohol on the...
