Affects of Alcohol

Contrary to popular belief alcohol is a drug. Alcohol is a depressant that slows down the functioning of the central nervous system. It alters a person’s perceptions, decision making skills, emotions, movements, and vision. Over consumption can lead to alcohol poisoning or even death. When consumed in large amounts over a prolonged period of time, alcohol can harm virtually every part of your body. Many of the effects are reversible if alcohol consumption is subsequently controlled - other effects are permanent. Alcohol has short-term and long term effects on many different organs in the body.

• Half the cancers in the esophagus, larynx and mouth are linked to alcohol. Additionally, intense vomiting from excessive drinking can tear the esophagus.
• Excessive and prolonged alcohol consumption can cause contribute to conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease and heart failure. Social drinkers who binge can get irregular heartbeats from their alcoholic habits·
  
• Osteoporosis and and some forms of arthritis can be advanced by alcohol abuse. Further, alcohol can lead to muscle atrophy, which can cause sharp muscle pain and weakness.
• Prolonged heavy drinking can cause kidney failure. The primary functions of kidneys are to regulate the composition and volume of the fluids and electrolytes circulating through the body. The kidneys regulate water, acid/base balance, certain hormones and minerals (calcium, potassium, sodium, etc.) in the body. Alcohol can influence or compromise the balancing functions of the kidneys, and thus can cause severe consequences on kidney function and thus the body.
• Alcohol can cause Cirrhosis of the liver. Cirrhosis is a buildup of scar tissue that changes the structure of the liver and blocks blood flow.
• Heavy drinkers are more susceptible to pneumonia and lung collapse, and also have more pulmonary infections.
• Alcohol can reduce the amount of digestive enzymes secreted by the pancreas, thereby inflaming and leaking digestive enzymes, which subsequently attack the pancreas itself.
• Because of alcohol's effects on the brain and alcohol's effects on the kidneys, hormonal production is affected. In men, this could mean that the production of sperm and testosterone are affected, and that can lead to impotence and/or infertility. In women, estrogen metabolism in the liver can be decreased, which boost estrogen levels in the body. These changes can contribute to menstrual irregularities and potentially infertility.
• Alcohol can damage the cells lining the stomach and intestines, which can block the absorption and breakdown of nutrients in those organs.
• Alcohol can irritate the stomach to the point of inducing gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining), ulcers and acid reflux. Prolonged exposure to alcohol can erode the stomach lining and cause chronic blood seepage into the stomach. If the individual is particularly unlucky, a vessel can rupture and cause major bleeding.