More and more people are sober https://ecosoberhouse.com/ curious, toying with the notion of drinking less. Seizures, hallucinations, and delirium may occur in severe cases of withdrawal. A weakened immune system has a harder time protecting you from germs and viruses.
- People who drink heavily over a long period of time are also more likely to develop pneumonia or tuberculosis than the general population.
- Talk to a healthcare provider if you are concerned about your drinking or that of a loved one.
- Your doctor will likely conduct a physical exam and a psychological evaluation.
- Additionally, alcohol may cause inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract.
- Alcoholic neuropathy occurs when too much alcohol damages the peripheral nerves.
Sexual and reproductive health
The consequences of heavy alcohol use are serious and include an increased risk of cancer, dementia, falls and dangerous interactions with medications. Alcohol use can factor into mental health symptoms that closely resemble those of other mental health conditions. Chronic drinking can affect your heart and lungs, raising your risk of developing heart-related health issues. The pancreas helps regulate how your body uses insulin and responds to glucose. If your pancreas and liver don’t function properly due to pancreatitis or liver disease, you could experience low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia. But more recent research suggests there’s really no “safe” amount of alcohol since even moderate drinking can negatively impact brain health.
Risks, Dangers, and Effects of Alcohol on the Body
- Years of moderate to heavy drinking can cause liver scarring (fibrosis), increasing the risk of liver diseases like cirrhosis, alcoholic hepatitis, fatty liver disease, and liver cancer.
- They may start drinking to cope with stressful events like losing a job, going through a divorce, or dealing with a death in their family or a close friend.
- Chronic alcohol use and binge drinking damage the heart muscle, making it harder for the heart to pump blood effectively.
- Here’s a breakdown of alcohol’s effects on your internal organs and body processes.
- Professional treatments and support can help you overcome alcohol misuse and alcohol use disorder and improve your overall health and well-being.
Many people with AUD continue to drink even as they develop health problems related to drinking. Over the long term, AUD may lead to serious health conditions, while worsening others. For example, any alcohol consumption by a pregnant alcohol misuse person can be considered alcohol misuse, as well as drinking under the legal age of 21. Drinking alcohol too much or too often, or being unable to control alcohol consumption, can be a sign of alcohol misuse and, in some cases, alcohol use disorder (AUD). Kindling is a problem that can occur following a number of episodes of withdrawal from alcohol.
- This multi-test approach will help them rule out other conditions that might account for your symptoms.
- Following diagnosis, a healthcare professional will work with a person to determine the best course of treatment.
- The liver metabolizes most of the alcohol you consume, breaking it down into acetaldehyde.
- Several treatment options and interventions can help a person recover from alcohol dependence.
How Does Alcohol Influence Your Physical Health?
Heavy drinking can also increase your blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels, both of which are major risk factors for heart attacks and strokes. Alcohol is a toxic and psychoactive substance with dependence producing properties. In many of today’s societies, alcoholic beverages are a routine part of the social landscape for many in the population. This is particularly true for those in social environments with high visibility and societal influence, nationally and internationally, where alcohol frequently accompanies socializing. In this context, it is easy to overlook or discount the health and social damage caused or contributed to by drinking. People with alcohol use disorder will continue to drink even when drinking causes negative consequences, like losing a job or destroying relationships with people they love.
Gut health
Below are potential alcohol-related medical complications by body system. Males, college students, and people going through serious life events or trauma are more likely to experience AUD. As you recover from AUD, you may find it helpful to see a psychotherapist who uses cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques.