How does alcohol affect different parts of the body?
Brain: Irrational behaviour, aggressive nature, violence, depression, nervousness, chronic anxiety, hallucinations, epilepsy, insomnia, dementia (wet brain), serious psychiatric disorders, alcoholic amnesia, blackouts, damage to nerves.
Face: Skin condition deterioration, puffy eyes, facial discolouration
Throat: Chronic coughing, throat cancer, cancer of the larynx (voicebox), cancer of the oesophagus
Lungs: Increased frequency of colds and ‘flu as resistance to infection is reduced. Increased risk of pneumonia and tuberculosis
Heart and circulation: ‘Fatty’ heart, weakness of heart muscle, heart failure, anemia, impaired blood clotting.
Liver: Liver damage leading to cirrhosis, liver cancer, ‘fatty’ liver
Stomach and digestion: Severe stomach inflammation, gastritis, peptic ulcer, haemorrhage, vitamin deficiency, malnutrition, vomiting, diarrhoea, duodenal ulcers
Hands: Trembling hands, ‘shakes’, tingling fingers, numbness, loss of sensation in fingers, peripheral neuritis
Pancreas: Inflammation of pancreas leads to acute or chronic pancreatitis
Kidneys: Impaired kidney function, urinary infection
Sex in Men: Impaired sexual performance leading to impotence. In Women – unwanted pregnancies, increased risk of giving birth to underweight or disabled babies
Legs: Impaired sensation leading to numbness, unsteady gait, falls, causing damage.
Feet: Numb or tingling toes, peripheral neuritis
Alcoholism is the third leading cause of death. Continued misuse can lead to social, legal, domestic, job and financial problems. Your lifespan may be cut by ten to fifteen years and it may lead to suicide, accidents and deaths from drunken driving. If you choose to drink, then drink in moderation.