Organs known to be damaged by long-term alcohol misuse include the brain and nervous system, heart, liver and pancreas. Heavy drinking can also increase your blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels, both of which are major risk factors for heart attacks and strokes.
A majority of heavy drinkers will develop some degree of fatty liver disease. Fatty liver disease is a condition in which the liver has an excess build-up of fat. While symptoms may not be present in the early stages, fatty liver disease can lead to cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) and liver cancer.
Liver is a primary target for the detrimental effects of alcohol since this substance of abuse is mainly metabolized by liver cells, which express high levels of two major alcohol oxidizing enzymes, alcohol dehydrogenase and CYP2E1.
Excessive alcohol consumption can have profound negative effects on the kidneys and their function in maintaining the body's fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base balance, leaving alcoholic people vulnerable to a host of kidney-related health problems.
Alcohol impacts receptors in blood vessels near the heart that help maintain blood pressure. Alcohol increases stress hormones like cortisol which can increase heart rate and blood pressure. Regular alcohol use often leads to increased body weight (a major risk factor for high blood pressure).
End-Stage Alcoholism And Health Complications
End-stage alcoholism typically presents a number of health complications. First the liver becomes damaged, possibly permanently. The liver gains fats and inflammation, eventually leading to liver scarring. The result of the damage is often liver disease or cirrhosis.
Nearly every organ system of our body is affected by alcohol. For individuals ages 18 and older, even a serving or two of alcohol per day can increase the risk of certain cancers, and drinking heavily over the years can cause irreversible damage to virtually every organ. Alcohol can also impact brain development.
Fibrosis—Chemical in the alcohol alters the normal tissue of liver to scar tissue. Cirrhosis—Excessive drinking can damage the liver cells, which cannot be regenerated. It affects the total functioning of the liver by preventing the absorption of nutrients and removal of toxic substances from the blood.
Alcohol is a depressant which slows down all the major functions of the central nervous system. It can cause slurred speech, mental confusion, blurry vision, and poor muscle control. If enough alcohol is consumed, it severely impairs the functioning of the respiratory system, and can even casue breathing to stop.
Alcohol also leads to premature activation of trypsinogen and other digestive and lysosomal enzymes within the acinar cells themselves; this causes the pancreatic tissue to auto-digest and leads to further inflammation.
The enzymes then begin to irritate the cells of the pancreas, causing the inflammation associated with pancreatitis. Chronic alcohol abuse: After alcohol digestion process, alcohol and its metabolic byproducts, including acetaldehyde, contribute to liver injury by causing liver cell damages.
Alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream through the lining of the stomach. Depending on the person, the volume of his or her stomach and the amount eaten that day, it can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour for alcohol to reach the bloodstream.
Alcohol can appear to be a stimulant because, initially, it depresses the part of the brain that controls inhibitions. cerebral cortex as it works with information from a person's senses. In the cerebral cortex, alcohol can a ect thought processes, leading to potentially poor judgment.
Alcohol interferes with the brain's communication pathways and can affect the way the brain looks and works. Alcohol makes it harder for the brain areas controlling balance, memory, speech, and judgment to do their jobs, resulting in a higher likelihood of injuries and other negative outcomes.
Alcohol acts as a central nervous system depressant when consumed in large amounts. It produces sedative, pleasurable, and relaxing side effects otherwise referred to as a “buzz.” Over time, chronic ethanol abuse can cause permanent damage to the liver, kidneys, pancreas, and even the throat.
After drinking stops, damaged organs may regain partial function or even heal completely, depending on the extent of organ damage and whether there is relapse (i.e., resumption of drinking).
Alcohol may aid with sleep onset due to its sedative properties, allowing you to fall asleep more quickly. However, people who drink before bed often experience disruptions later in their sleep cycle as liver enzymes metabolize alcohol. This can lead to excessive daytime sleepiness and other issues the following day.
Causes of death in heavy alcohol use are related to trauma, acute intoxication or alcohol-related disease such as cirrhosis [5].
Heavy Alcohol Use:
NIAAA defines heavy drinking as follows: For men, consuming more than 4 drinks on any day or more than 14 drinks per week. For women, consuming more than 3 drinks on any day or more than 7 drinks per week.
Other effects of drinking alcohol regularly can result in dry eyes and eyelid twitching, known as myokymia. This triggers short-term inflammation and double vision that causes burning and itching of the eyes, migraines, and sensitivity to light.
Over time, excessive alcohol use can lead to the development of chronic diseases and other serious problems including: High blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, liver disease, and digestive problems. Cancer of the breast, mouth, throat, esophagus, voice box, liver, colon, and rectum.
What do you mean by heavy drinking? For men, heavy drinking is typically defined as consuming 15 drinks or more per week. For women, heavy drinking is typically defined as consuming 8 drinks or more per week.