Physical Effects of Alcohol

The effect of alcohol has more impact on the brain as different parts of the brain are more sensitive than the other parts of the body. The transmission of the impulses in the brain and the nervous system can get damaged due to excessive drinking of alcohol. Chronic abuse of alcohol damages a person physically and mentally. Loss of balance, impotency, lack of sensation of feet and hands, shiver and blindness are the physical effects of alcohol abuse. Mental effects of alcohol are lack of intellectual abilities, unable to learn and mental confusion. A condition in which a person has symptoms of mental confusion, extreme excitement, anxiety, trembling, rapid pulse and illusion is known as delirium tremens and this condition is due to the excessive consumption of alcohol.

Alcoholism leads to the damage of liver and if the damage is severe, the condition is known as cirrhosis. Cirrhosis causes liver failure, liver cancer and ultimately leads to the death of the person. Liver is an organ which serves to expel waste and other toxins, and it will take part in many vital processes of the body. Liver also processes and breaks down the alcohol consumed, so the liver gets affected more than any other part of the body.

Excessive use of alcohol leads to infections and chronic inflammation of stomach or gastritis and inflammation of digestive system. The inflammation of stomach and digestive system leads to ulceration. Perforation of intestines and stomach can lead to death and the food is not digested or absorbed properly when there is an inflamed digestive system. A poor diet, malnutrition, changes in lifestyle and self neglect are the reasons for inflammation and infections. The diseases such as pneumonia, kidney and urinary tract infections, kidney failure and pancreatitis are also due to inflammation.

Malnutrition of the body is another cause of alcohol and this deficiency of vitamins is due to the inability to absorb the nutrition or lack of various vitamins. Deficiency of vitamin B1 or thiamine will cause memory disorders such as Wernicke's disease and Korsakoff's syndrome.

Consumption of alcohol decreases the flow of blood to the muscles and muscle aches are the common symptoms. Excess drinking of alcohol causes cardio vascular diseases as alcohol consumption will give rise to high blood pressure which damages the heart muscle which is known as cardiomyopathy. Another condition is arrhythmia or irregular heart beat which is treated as emergency after party drinking for several days. Cardiovascular problems will lead to heart failure or stroke. Alcohol consumption causes sexual problems such as erectile dysfunction in men and also there is a higher risk of cancer in various parts of the body.

Excessive alcohol also affects the functioning of the body such as the involuntary actions like breathing and the gag reflex which prevents choking. Stomach gets irritated by the alcohol and due to this irritation, people vomit but vomiting in deep sleep can be dangerous as the person can choke while vomiting. Alcohol also boosts up the ulcers in the stomach and leads to slow healing.