Drinking too much alcohol on a regular basis is very harmful to your health. Alcohol is a drug that affects everybody, though the effects vary for each individual.
A slew of recent studies have shown alcohol as “healthy”; that is, drinking 1-2 glasses of wine in a week. However, those that consume three or more drinks a day may be damaging their bodies.
When the body gets more alcohol than it can metabolize, it builds up in the bloodstream. The heart then circulates the alcoholic blood to other parts of the body and changes the chemistry and body functions.
LIVER DISEASE
Metabolism of alcohol takes place in the liver, hence liver is at a higher risk of damage. 90% of people who drink heavily develop alcoholic fatty liver, a reversible consequence of excessive alcohol intake. Chronic drinking enhances the liver’s natural breakdown of fats. This results in excess that accumulates in the liver. Other effects include inflammation which causes laying down of scar tissue.
PANCREATITIS
Overconsumption of alcohol can lead to pancreatitis, inflammation of the pancreas that requires hospitalization. The inflammation is likely related to premature activation of pancreatic enzymes and chronic exposure to acetaldehyde.
CANCER
Chronic alcohol consumption can lead to the risk of developing different cancers, including cancers of the mouth, oesophagus, larynx, stomach, liver, colon, rectum and breast. Tobacco use, which is common among drinkers, enhances alcohol’s effects on the risk for cancers of the upper digestive and respiratory tract.
ULCERS AND GASTRO PROBLEMS
Alcohol initially passes through the digestive tract, it beings exerting its toxic wastes. It may lead to internal bleeding from enlarged veins. Alcohol also interferes with the gastric section which causes the delay in gastric emptying and also impairs muscle movements.
IMMUNE SYSTEM
Drinking too much causes weakness in the immune system, making the body vulnerable to infectious diseases like pneumonia and tuberculosis. It causes drop in while blood cells count and causes disability in the body to ward off any disease in the next 24-hours.
BRAIN DAMAGE
Alcohol alters brain receptors and neurotransmitters. It interferes with a person’s cognitive function, moods, emotions and reactions on multiple levels. Since alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, it results in difficulties in processing information.
VITAMIN DEFICIENCIES
Excessive drinking leads to malnourishment and several vitamin deficiencies. People who are active drinkers have a poor diet. Even if they eat the proper diet, the vitamins are not broken down properly and are not used by the body cells. Alcohol also has the ability to interrupt red blood cell production and causes bleeding from gastric ulcers which may lead to the development of iron deficiency anaemia.
HEART DISEASES
Heavy drinking results in the release of certain stress hormones that constrict blood vessels, leading to high blood pressure levels. Excessive drinking is linked to multiple cardiovascular complications and sudden cardiac death. Stroke is also a deadly complication of heavy drinking.
‘Too much of anything kills!’ – Rightly said.
