How does long term alcohol use affect your health?
How does long term alcohol use affect your health?
A long-term alcohol use disorder has the potential to significantly and permanently damage not only your mental health, with alcoholism having been linked to depression, anxiety, and the development of dementia, but your physical health as well.
What are the health effects of late stage alcoholism?
Other health conditions commonly associated with late-stage alcoholism include malnutrition, chronic pancreatitis, Barrett’s esophagus and esophageal cancer, lung infections and heart failure. Because of the toxic effects alcohol has on bone marrow, blood disorders such as anemia are common in alcoholics.
What happens to your body when you drink too much alcohol?
Symptoms of alcohol intoxication, such as mild cognitive and physical impairment, may become evident after just 1 or 2 drinks, but heavier use can result in alcohol overdose if someone ingests too much alcohol during one sitting. 7
What are the physical side effects of alcoholism?
Possible physical side effects include increased blood pressure and liver damage. In the morning, their hands may shake and they may experience frequent heartburn. During this stage, individuals are drinking every day, usually to avoid uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms.
What are the long-term effects of alcohol use?
Long-Term Health Risks. Over time, excessive alcohol use can lead to the development of chronic diseases and other serious problems including: High blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, liver disease, and digestive problems.6,16. Cancer of the breast, mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, and colon.6,17.
Over time, excessive alcohol use can lead to the development of chronic diseases and other serious problems including: High blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, liver disease, and digestive problems. 6,16. Cancer of the breast, mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, and colon. 6,17.
What kind of health problems can alcohol cause?
Over time, this can give you ulcers and chronic inflammation in your stomach, esophagus, and gut. It can also make it harder for your intestines to digest important nutrients like B12 and thiamine. Alcohol can also cause a buildup of digestive enzymes in the pancreas, leading to a condition called pancreatitis, or an inflamed pancreas.
What happens to the body as alcoholism progresses?
As alcoholism progresses, the cells in the body become more and more resistant to the short-term effects of alcohol. As a person continues drinking excessively, the cells will continue to adapt. Eventually, the presence of alcohol becomes the norm for the body, and the long-term damage continues.