Alcoholism is a problem that that has been prevalent in many countries around the world for hundreds of years. While a conservative amount of alcohol is needed by the body to protect itself from cardiovascular diseases, a number of negative effects are associated with the excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages.
The negative effects are not instantaneous but they can grow worse overtime. This can impair the body's normal processes which can lead to serious diseases or even death.
The Effect of Alcohol on the Brain and Central Nervous System
Although alcohol gives a temporary feeling of euphoria, it can cause the central nervous system to slow down. Too much alcohol can cause drowsiness and sleep which can lead to accidents. It also affects the part of the brain that controls emotions and behavior and cause the temporary impairment of a person's judgment, memory, behavior and concentration. Long-term alcohol abuse, which can lead to addiction, may result in permanent brain damage and serious mental disorders.
The Effect of Alcohol on the Lungs
Prolonged alcohol abuse weakens a person's resistance to infection and exposes his lungs to diseases. Excessive alcohol intake may also cause a person's breathing to stop.
The Effects of Alcohol on the Liver
Habitual drinking of alcohol in large quantities can cause alcoholic hepatitis, the inflammation of liver cells which leads to cirrhosis. Alcohol also decreases the liver's blood-clotting ability as well as it causes the build up of fluid in the person's extremities.
The effect of Alcohol on the Heart
The consumption of alcohol in ideal levels help to promote health, but its abuse can weaken the heart muscles and impairs its ability to pump blood into the system. It also causes palpitation which can lead to high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke.
Alcohol also affects the muscles by lowering the phosphate level in the body, weakening the muscles and leaving a person powerless to stand by himself.
The Effect of Alcohol on the Digestive System
Excessive alcohol consumption can damage the esophagus, the stomach lining and induce bleeding. The blood loss, however minute, can reduce the body's supply of iron, which leads to lack of energy and dizziness.
The presence of excess alcohol in the body causes the pancreas to overwork because it needs to create insulin to process the sugar present in the alcohol. The extreme stress on the pancreas can lead to pancreatitis which can be a cause of death.
Alcohol also affects the bones through its interference of the body's ability to absorb calcium. This results in weaker, soft, brittle and thinner bones.
