10 health effects of drinking alcohol in excess

It is very common for Nurses, Doctors Health Scientist and so many other professionals to tell you not to drink alcohol. But what exactly does the famous saying “alcohol is not good for your health “mean? Here is a breakdown of how alcohol damages our health.

Majority of people who suffer from the health effects are not necessarily alcoholics or drunkards. They are ordinary people who have been drinking alcohol a little above normal for so many years.

1 Cancers

Drinking excess alcohol is a risk factor for cancers like Mouth cancer, Breast cancer, liver cancer, throat cancer or cancer of the esophagus.  

Health experts believe cancer results from our body’s conversion of alcohol into aldehyde, which is considered a possible carcinogen.

2 Pancreatitis

Alcohol pancreatitis can occur as a consequence of long term addiction to alcohol. This can make the pancreas not to function properly.  

The pancreas helps our excretory system to break down substances so that it can be easily excreted. The pancreas also secrets digestive enzymes. Apart from this, the pancreases also help to regulate the amount of glucose in our body. If the pancreas is destroyed as a result of alcohol, problems like hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia will result.

3 Damage to the liver

The liver is an organ that cannot escape the effects of excessive alcohol intake. Cirrhosis and alcohol hepatitis are some health effects of alcohol that can be seen with the liver.

The liver breaks down and processes substances in our body, preparing them for excretion. When we drink too much alcohol, it can cause chronic liver inflammation which can lead to scarring of the liver (cirrhosis).  If the liver is destroyed, our body will not be able to break down toxic and poisonous substances in our body.

4 Heart attack, stroke and cardiomyopathy

Drinking excess alcohol can cause problems like irregular heartbeat cardiomyopathy and stroke. Scientist have found out that drinking alcohol can make some of our blood cells (platelets) to stick together forming clots. This clots have a high chance of causing a heart attack or a stroke.

The muscles of our heart can also get weak and fail to work as a result of drinking alcohol in excess for a long period of time. This condition is called cardiomyopathy.

5 Depression

Depression has always been associated with drinking alcohol in excess.

6 Hypertension

Bingeing alcohol or drinking it heavily can cause our blood pressure to increase above normal. 

7 Erectile dysfunction and infertility

When men drink alcohol in excess for long, it can cause erectile dysfunction. Infertility can also be a consequence of abusing alcohol.

Women who abuse alcohol can suffer from irregular menstruation and infertility.

8 Birth defects in children

Drinking alcohol for a long period and during pregnancy can result in developmental abnormalities in children.  This developmental activities are generally known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). The baby can grow up to have learning disabilities, physical abnormalities and a low IQ.

Alcohol can also increase a woman’s chances of having still births or miscarriages.

9 Weak immune system

Alcohol weakens our immune system, making us susceptible to diseases caused by many microorganisms.

10 Drunkenness

Drinking alcohol in quantities that our body cannot process can lead to drunkenness, dizziness, hallucinations and slurred speech. It also alters our mood and judgment. If a person drives in any of these states, it can cause road traffic accidents.

 Sources:

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) available at http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohol-health/alcohols-effects-body

WebMd, Health Risks of Alcohol. http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/features/12-health-risks-of-chronic-heavy-drinking

Healthline. The effects of alcohol on the body. Available at: http://www.healthline.com/health/alcohol/effects-on-body