Harmful Effects of Alcohol

Tap to Read ➤ Madhura Pandit

Alcoholism is one of the significant causes of disease, divorce, and death all over the world. Given here is detailed information about the long-term effects of alcohol on various parts of the body.

In recent years it has been observed that there has been remarkable increase in the number of people consuming alcohol on a daily basis.

They may or may not be aware of the negative effects of alcohol on their body and life. Most people argue that alcohol helps them stay away from stress and aids a good night's sleep every day. However, the consequences of alcoholism are far worse than imagined.

List of Effects of Alcohol

We all are aware that alcohol is bad for health and it has a negative effect on the body. When a person consumes alcohol, it mixes in his blood and reaches the vital parts of the body, having a damaging effect on them.

Alcohol directly affects the central nervous system (CNS) and slows down its functions. Therefore, drowsiness, depression, nausea, and lack of awareness are the common and instantly observed effects of alcohol. However, if it is consumed in large amounts for long time, it has severe effects on the body.

The severity of the side effects depends on several factors. It depends on the amount of alcohol consumed by the person, whether he or she has consumed it on a single occasion or after intervals, on the duration, and the person's age and gender, etc. Similarly, the effects shown by alcohol are more severe if the person is already a chronic alcoholic.

The Brain

The worst effect of alcohol addiction is on the brain. Alcohol directly affects the central nervous system and slows down its function. The negative effects include: Impaired behavior and judgment Memory loss Lack of concentration and coordination Impaired vision and hearing Slower motor skills and reactions Mood swings Slurred speech

The Liver

Alcohol slows down the process of metabolism in liver. If this continues for a longer time, it can result in permanent damage of the liver. Effects of alcohol on the liver include: Jaundice Liver cirrhosis Alcoholic hepatitis Alcoholic fatty liver Liver cancer

Digestive System

Excess consumption of alcohol damages the internal lining of the GI tract. It indirectly affects the internal organs and glands of the digestive system. Vomiting Peptic ulcers Throat cancer Stomach cancer Gastritis Hemorrhaging Colon cancer

Reproductive System

One may not be aware but alcoholism indirectly affects the reproductive system in both men and women. In their pregnancy period, women are advised to stop alcohol consumption completely as it can lead to mental retardation in babies.

The following are the other damaging effects of alcohol on the reproductive system: Infertility Impotency Breast cancer Sterility (in men) Atrophy of testes (in men)

Apart from the aforementioned ones, alcoholism also makes a person prone to heart diseases by increasing his blood pressure. On the other hand, the person has higher chances of contracting infectious diseases due to a weakened immune system.

Along with these medical conditions, a chronic alcoholic suffers from social embarrassment due to his behavior, which leads to broken relationships between partner, family members, and society. One may also have observed that there has been a significant increase in number of accidents and accidental deaths due to drunk driving.

Remember that coma and death are the ultimate harmful effects of consuming excess alcohol for a long time. One should remember that alcohol does no good to our body or our life, and hence, it is wise to stay away from it!