Health Conditions Caused By Use Of Alcohol
Alcohol consumption has serious health problems. Liver cirrhosis is one of the commonly known health conditions induced by use of alcohol. One could also have physical injuries due to high risks of accidents while drunk. While these are the face of alcohol-related problems, there are a number of serious health conditions that come with alcohol use. The following are common health conditions associated with chronic use of alcohol:
1. Anemia
There is a risk of decreasing level of oxygen-carrying red blood cells in the body due to alcohol use. Anemia is known to trigger a lot of symptoms in the body. One may experience serious fatigue, breath shortness, and feeling light-headed among others.
2. Cardiovascular disorders
Too much alcohol drinking could cause clumping of the platelets. This uncontrolled blooding clotting is known to result in heart attack or even stroke. Alcohol could also cause cardiomyopathy. This is potentially deadly since the heart muscles become weak causing it to fail. The heart rhythm is severely affected. Common problems associated with this condition include:
- Atrial fibrillation where the upper chamber of the heart twitch in an irregular way rather than constrict rhythmically. This cause blood clotting leading to a stroke.
- Ventricular fibrillation is known to cause the ventricles to twitch chaotically. This results in rapid loss of consciousness and may cause death if not treated immediately.
3. Cancer
Chronic drinking is a risk factor for cancer. Alcohol is broken down into acetaldehyde in the body. This is a potent carcinogen. The risk of cancer increase in the mouth, throat, esophagus, larynx, breast, and liver. In cases where one takes alcohol and tobacco, the risk is even higher.
4. Dementia
Brain is believed to shrink with age. This is normal. However, excessive alcohol use causes the shrinking process to be fast. This results in memory loss as well as a host of dementia symptoms. One has problems in planning, impaired judgments and difficulties in solving issues. Alcohol use could also mean deprive nutrient supply into the brain thus causing certain forms of dementia.
5. Depression
Depression increases with alcohol use. While many think alcohol works to alleviate depression, the emotional distress comes hard with alcohol.
6. Gout
This is a painful condition that results from uric acid crystals forming in the joints. While the disease is hereditary in some cases, alcohol use is known to aggravate the condition.
7. Cirrhosis
This is the commonly known health condition caused by the use of alcohol. The liver cells are intoxicated by alcohol causing liver scars thus hampering the organ’s function. From the study, women are more vulnerable than men who take alcohol.