The Effects of Alcohol on the Human Body

by Vishwaram Maharaj

The form of alcohol which is used in alcoholic beverages is called ethyl alcohol. It is made from starch, sugar and other carbohydrates by fermentation with yeast. What was once thought of as the “Elixir of Life” has now become known as a terrible drug which can alter judgement and memory as well as our bodily organs. Not only is it an addictive drug, but it is potentially a lethal poison. Those who have a .33 BAC or higher can surely die. Alcohol drinking can end up in all kinds of misfortunes and unnecessary accidents and mishaps. If you drink alcohol here is what alcohol does to a human body:

The Digestive System Alcohol can damage many of the organs of the digestive system. Irritation of the stomach lining and gastritis can occur as well as vomiting and bleeding from small tears in the stomach walls. Chronic irritation can result in gastric and duodenal ulcers. Alcoholics may also develop acute and chronic pancreatitis. Occuring frequently in alcoholics with cirrhosis, esophageal varices are dilated veins in the esophagus which may rupture and hemorrhage. Cancer is a major cause of death in alcoholics. It can develop in the larynx, esophagus, stomach and liver. Alcohol Absorption Alcohol absorbed through the walls of the stomach and the small intestine is carried by the blood vessels to the liver to be metabolized. Here alcohol in the blood flows through the sinusoids. Then it passes through the sinusoid walls and enters liver cells. The problem here is, the liver can only process 1 oz. of alcohol per hour. If there is excess alcohol, it will circulate throughout your body until the liver is able to process more. The Liver The liver is always affected in chronic alcohol abuse. The consequences of drinking too much are very harsh. You can develop fatty liver disease, which is an accumulation of fat droplets inside liver cells. You can also develop alcohol induced hepatitis and cirrhosis. For those who don’t know, cirrhosis is when liver cells die and scar tissue irreversibly changes the normal architecture of the tissue. Cardiovascular System Short-term effects from a drink may include an increased pulse rate and a dilation of blood vessels throughout the body. Chronic alcohol use can cause serious damage to the cardiovascular system. Alcohol use can elevate your blood pressure, hastening arteriosclerosis and causing cardiomyopathy. Cardiomyopathy is when the heart muscle is damaged and weakened. In some people heart disease can result from moderate drinking. Nervous system Alcohol can damage many body tissues including the brain and nerves. Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to memory loss (blackout) or even a loss of consciousness. In some cases it can even result in a coma. Heavier drinkers may have memory loss that can last for weeks. Alcoholics may develop double-vision, and constant memory loss. They can even lose the sense of balance. Some alcoholics who try to suddenly stop drinking may experience alcohol withdrawal delirium. This sickness can include anxiety, hallucinations, shaking, and even seizures. Permanent damage from alcoholism can include pain and loss of sensation in the legs and arms and loss of intelligence. Reproduction   Impotence in men can occur by drinking too much alcohol. In women there can be interruptions in menstruation and damage to eggs. Just as the eggs are damaged in women, sperm is damaged in men. Whatever a pregnant woman eats or drinks, her baby gets. Therefore if a pregnant woman were to drink alcohol her baby would drink it as well. This can be detrimental to an unborn child. It can cause serious damage. The child can be born with fetal alcohol syndrome which can cause it to be overweight, grow slower, and have birth defects. The child may suffer from a low I.Q. and even develop a smaller brain. In some cases mental retardation can occur. Drinking after a child is born is highly prohibited as well because alcohol can be passed along to a baby from breast milk. Accidents The intoxicating effects of alcohol can make a smart person unintelligent. It can render them useless. The effects of alcohol can make it much more likely for a person to die causing premature or accidental death. 60% of fatal vehicular accidents , suicides, and murders are alcohol related. Alcohol is not an elixir. It should not be used to have fun nor a “good time.” It can cause fatalities and premature death. It is a drug and will always be that way. Even the most intelligent of persons can die from this drug. Don’t be dumb. Make all your decisions in life wisely!