Did you know that men who consume 3-4 alcoholic drinks per day and women who consume 2-3 per day are more likely to develop cirrhosis after 10 years or more?
Alcohol is not only one of the most commonly consumed narcotics in the world today, but it is also one of the most dangerous.
In this post, we will look at the negative effects of alcoholism on your body, as well as how you can help yourself or a loved one who is suffering from alcoholism.
Firstly, we need to understand that alcohol has vastly different effects on men and women. Men should not consume more than 4 alcoholic beverages per day or 14 alcoholic beverages per week, while women should consume no more than 3 alcoholic beverages per day or 7 alcoholic beverages per week, according to the South African National Council on Alcoholism (SANCA). Drinking at a level higher than the limits provided is considered dangerous. If this drinking pattern continues, there is a significantly increased risk of developing alcohol dependence or addiction.
Now that we have reviewed some statistics regarding alcohol intake, let’s dive deeper into the drastic effects that alcohol abuse can have on our bodies.
What Effects Does Alcohol Have on the Blood?
Excessive alcohol consumption over time can cause health problems such as anemia and blood clots, as well as the destruction of white blood cells, which protect the body from infections and diseases.
Cirrhosis of the liver, which can lead to varicose veins through lack of blood circulation, is another issue that can be caused by alcoholism. Varicose veins are veins that have swollen, twisted, and become painful as a result of an abnormal blood collection.
The Effects of Alcohol on the Brain
Alcohol can damage brain cells beyond repair, and in some cases, the damage may be irreversible. Alcoholism not only impairs one’s ability to think, but it also has the potential to cause mental disorders such as dementia and amnesia, both of which affect memory.
Although abstaining from alcohol may help undo some of the damage, the road to recovery is long and difficult, and some people may never return to their normal mental state even if they do.
The Relationship Between Cancer and Alcoholism
Alcohol consumption increases the risk of developing cancers such as pancreatic cancer, breast cancer, rectal cancer, and liver cancer. Furthermore, alcohol consumption has been linked to the development of more than half of all cases of mouth cancer, according to research.
The Relationship Between Alcoholism and Diabetes
While drinking alcohol, glucose levels in the blood can rise or fall; however, this effect is most pronounced and more regular in diabetic alcoholics.
The Influence of Alcohol on Heart Function
A moderate amount of alcohol may be beneficial to the heart, according to research; however, drinking an excessive amount of alcohol over an extended period will only increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and strokes. Even infrequent drinkers who binge now and then are at risk of developing cardiac problems.
What are the effects of alcohol on your muscles and joints?
Excessive alcohol consumption has been shown to hasten the onset of osteoporosis, gout, and arthritis. Furthermore, it can cause muscle atrophy, which causes discomfort as well as weakening.
The Effects of Alcohol on Your Kidneys
The most serious consequences of long-term alcohol consumption are illness and kidney failure. Alcohol abuse impairs the function of this organ, which is primarily responsible for hormone production in the body. As a result, several reproductive issues arise.
How Does Alcohol Affect Your Liver
The main causes of a fatty liver are alcohol abuse and alcoholism, both of which are known to impair the liver, which is a fundamental contradiction between the two. If a person stops drinking alcohol, they may recover from this illness; however, if they do not stop drinking, they may die. In some people, having a fatty liver can lead to the development of other diseases, such as hepatitis and cirrhosis, both of which can be fatal.
The Effects of Alcohol on Your Lungs
Excessive drinking increases the risk of developing respiratory disorders such as pneumonia and collapsed lungs, as well as other pulmonary conditions in alcoholics.
The Relationship Between Alcoholism and Malnourishment
Alcohol is toxic to the cells that line the stomach and intestines and are in charge of digestion. When alcohol is consumed, these cells are destroyed. Alcohol, which also contains empty calories, causes people to eat less, which leads to a decrease in the consumption of essential nutrients. The more one drinks, the less one will eat.
How The Mind Reacts to Alcohol
Alcohol is a depressive chemical, and excessive use can result in a variety of mental health issues, including anxiety, insomnia, and depression, among others.
The Effects of Alcohol on Reproductive Physiology
Excessive drinking can cause problems with menstruation and fertility in women, as well as impotence and infertility in men. Excessive drinking, on the other hand, can cause erectile dysfunction in men. This is because alcohol impairs a man’s ability to produce sperm and testosterone, as well as a woman’s ability to produce estrogen.
How the Stomach Reacts to Alcohol’s Effects
Drinking alcohol can cause gastritis, also known as an enlargement of the stomach lining, as well as ulcers.
Which Foods Can Help Reduce Alcohol Cravings and the Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal?
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms and cravings are two of the most common issues that arise when dealing with alcoholism. Cravings occur when a person has had significant prior exposure to the use of alcohol and then goes through a set period without consuming any alcohol.
It appears that certain foods can help to reduce the severity of alcohol withdrawal symptoms as well as cravings associated with alcohol. Keep in mind that some cases of alcoholism are too severe for any type of food-related assistance to be of any use. It is best to seek treatment from a medical professional if this occurs.
Increase Your Vitamin Intake
A substantial amount of research has been conducted into the effects that could be obtained from taking supplements while detoxing from alcohol. Even though other vitamins, such as A, C, and D, have been shown to have beneficial properties and effects, it appears that B-complex vitamins have the most significant and long-lasting impact. This is true even though other vitamins, such as these, have beneficial properties.
If you or someone you know has an alcohol problem, or if you are an alcoholic, you should seek the help of a trained medical practitioner who can explain all of the benefits of taking these vitamins to you.
Reducing Your Sugar and Caffeine Intake
Several studies have found that reducing sugar and caffeine consumption has a significant impact on the desire to drink alcohol. It can be difficult to cut back on sugar, but avoiding sweets, sodas, fruit juices, and even dried fruit will help you achieve your goal of reducing your intake of sweets.
Caffeine can be avoided to a large extent if you avoid caffeine-containing beverages such as coffee, soda, and even chocolate. This may appear to be an effort, but consider the positive impact it could have on your body if you cut out the bad stuff while also treating your craving for alcohol. Consider how much better your body would be as a result.
Maintain a Stable Blood Sugar Level
Maintaining a stable blood sugar level appears to have a significant impact on reducing the desire to drink alcohol. Several studies have found that this approach is effective.
Adopt a Nutrient-Dense Diet
Maintaining a healthy and nutrient-dense diet is one of the best ways to ensure that your liver and other organs in your body are performing at their peak. When you drink alcohol, your body loses a lot of important nutrients, but a healthy diet can help you replace those elements.
To summarise, one must keep in mind that the contents of this post are simple guidelines to assist your journey to a healthier you, but in no way is it professional medical advice to help serious alcoholism. Should you or a loved one have a problem with alcohol use, you should seek out the necessary assistance from medical or psychological professionals.