Persistent
alcohol abuse may eventually damage body tissuses and
cause a number of problems. Different body systems fair
differently. Here is how --
Women are advised to drink
less. Female body contains less water and more
fat. Alcohol does not diffuse into body fat as
rapidly as it does into body fluids. Therefore
women tend to get intoxicated more than the men
with same amount of alcohol
|
Brain
and Nervous system
Alcohol depresses the nervous system. It results to poor
reflexes and coordination, a major cause of road
accidents.
It can cause Depression, Anxiety, Insomnia, and
Black- outs.
Incidence of attempted and actual Sucide
is also high among those who consume alcohol.
Prolong alcohol abuse also permanently damages brain and
nerves causing Dementia and weakness
& numbness of limbs. Often this neuropathy
is associated with Thiamine ( Vitamin B1 ) deficiency.
Skin
Alcohol causes facial flushing and in
heavy drinkers it becomes permanent.
Heart
& Circulatory systems
Prolonged heavy drinking can lead to Coronay Hear
Disease, Hypertension, Heart Failure and Stroke.
Digestive
System
Alcohol causes irritation of Stomach and Oesphagial
lining causing Gastritis, Gastric Ulcers and
Oesophagitis.These problems may cause Vomiting
of Blood and passing of Black Tarry Stool.
Early morning nausea, loss of appetite, difficulty in
swallowing, heartburn and stomach disconfort.
Alcohol also increases the risk of Mouth, Tongue
and Throat Cancer.
Pancreas
Alcohol can cause infalmmation of pancreas. Acute,
Chronic or Relapsing Pancreatitis is a
problem regular drinkers may have to face.
Liver
Excessive or prolonged use of alcohol damages liver
tissue. It may lead to Enlargement of Liver,
Hipatitis, Cirrhosis of Liver and Liver Cancer. Liver
Cirrhosis raises portal blood pressure resulting in blood
vomiting and Ascites ( collection of
fluid in the abdomen ). Chronc liver disease brings with
it lot of misery and ill health.
Urinary
system
Prolonged heavy drinking may cause Renal Failure.
Reproductive
system
Alcohol may increase sexual confidence but high levels of
alcohol causes Impotemce.
Breasts
A Harward university study involving 3,00,000 women found
that those who have one drink a day run a 9 % greater
risk of Breast cancer than non-drinkers.
For women who consume 2-5 drinks a day, the risk goes up
by 41 %.
Pregnancy
Comsumption of TWO drinks a day by pregnant women can
damage foetus and may lead to congenital abnormalities
such as - Cleft Lip & Palate, Heart defects,
Abormal Limb development and lower than average
intelligence.
Alcohol
Withdrawal Syndrome
When a physically dependent alcoholic stops alcohol
abruptly he or she will experience Alcohol Withdrawal
Syndrome. This syndrome may range from mild to life
threatening.
In the first stage - person experiences Tremulousness,
Anxiety, Tachycardia, Increased Blood Pressure.
In second stage - ( occurs within 24 hrs. )
Hallucinations, these may persist for hours or even for
weeks.
In the third stage - Convulsions, Delirium Tremens. A
patient in DT experiences profound confusion,
hallucination, disorientation, hyperactivity and
cardiovascular disturbances.
|
