Alcohol is rapidly absorbed by the body, and within a few seconds after entering the bloodstream, it reaches the brain. Have you ever thought about what harmful effects this uninvited guest brings to its host, the brain?
First, it disrupts brain function, reducing human reasoning and judgment. Understanding, memory, and emotions become disordered, and love, self-esteem, and loyalty lose their meaning. Alcohol causes brain swelling and increased blood pressure in the head, sometimes leading to insanity and mental impairment. A person may feel braver and bolder and easily reveal hidden secrets, but after sobering up, they experience shame and embarrassment. These are the “gifts” of alcohol for the brain.
Alcohol and Stroke
Due to excessive alcohol consumption, the body’s vitamins and blood decrease, and blood becomes contaminated. As a result, the nerves weaken, and with minor incidents such as cold, heat, cold water, stress, or deep sorrow, blood vessels rupture, causing a stroke that may lead to death.
Alcoholic Beverages and the Heart
Alcohol consumption increases blood pressure and heart rate and also causes irregularities in heart function. Fat accumulates around the heart, making it enlarged and heavy, which can eventually result in a heart attack.
Alcohol and the Liver
Drinking alcohol leads to liver cirrhosis, jaundice, and liver enlargement. Alcohol reduces the liver’s detoxifying properties and its ability to store sugar, ultimately destroying liver cells. With the accumulation of dead cells, the liver grows larger than normal and sometimes becomes so enlarged that it brings death to the alcoholic.
Question: What is liver cirrhosis?
Answer: Liver cirrhosis is the increased blood pressure in the portal system, which leads to the following complications:
a) Variceal bleeding;
b) Ascites;
c) Hepatic encephalopathy;
d) Hepatorenal syndrome;
e) Hepatocellular carcinoma.
Alcohol and the Stomach
As a result of alcohol consumption, appetite decreases and the stomach becomes swollen. Hydrochloric acid production increases, which may lead to the following diseases:
Gastritis;
Acute and chronic gastritis;
Stomach cramps;
Abdominal pain;
Morning vomiting.
Alcohol and the Pancreas
Alcohol consumption causes acute inflammation of the pancreas. In this disease, the gland becomes swollen and is accompanied by varying degrees of self-digestion (autodigestion of glandular tissue), hemorrhage, destruction, and necrosis. Clinically, these patients suffer from abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, jaundice, decreased heart rate, low blood sugar, and reduced blood calcium. They may also develop respiratory disorders, kidney failure, gastrointestinal bleeding, and shock. Generally, 10% of these patients die.
Alcohol and the Intestines
Alcohol has harmful effects on the intestines. It sometimes causes constipation, sometimes diarrhea, and may also result in intestinal abrasions. This condition weakens the body and reduces the absorption of nutrients.
Effects of Alcoholic Beverages on Kidney Stones
The most significant stimulant of uric acid production in the human body is alcohol, which greatly increases its production. Those who excessively produce and secrete uric acid are at high risk of developing kidney stones. Stones may consist of uric acid, or uric acid may serve as the nucleus for calcium stones or other types of stones. Obviously, alcohol and beer themselves cause kidney stones and mineral deposits. Therefore, alcohol should never be used to treat kidney stones or gravel. Any physician prescribing alcohol for kidney patients is either acting with hostility toward the patient, pushing him from one trouble into another, which is against medical ethics, or is simply revealing his ignorance and lack of knowledge.
Alcohol-Induced Anxiety Disorders
In brief, anxiety disorders caused by alcohol include:
Agoraphobia;
Social phobia;
Panic attacks;
Obsessive-compulsive disorder;
Generalized anxiety disorder.
Alcohol and Voluntary Muscles of the Body
Due to alcohol use, the transmission of nerve impulses from the brain to voluntary muscles slows down, which can cause urinary incontinence and, in some cases, paralysis of voluntary muscles, turning the person into a disabled individual. Sometimes, paralysis of the respiratory system may lead to death.
Alcoholic Beverages and Cancer
Alcohol is one of the causes of various cancers. Dr. Armin says: “No matter how little alcohol one consumes, after a period of time it causes anatomical damage and general metabolic disorders, which eventually create the conditions for cancer.” In the United States, the medical reference Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine states that cancer is the second leading cause of death among alcoholics (after cardiovascular diseases). The rate of cancer among alcoholics is ten times higher than in the general population. The most common alcohol-related cancers include:
