Alcohol depresses the central and peripheral nervous system. In some people, the initial reaction may be stimulation, but if you continue to drink the effect becomes sedative. Alcohol lowers inhibitions and has negative repercussions on rational thinking, emotions and judgment.
If you drink too much, your ability to speak and muscle coordination are affected, as do vital nerve centers. Then, if you exaggerate significantly, you can lead to an ethyl coma, a situation that can be fatal. Drinking too much can cause several problems, such as:
- Lowered judgment and inhibitory brakes, resulting in inconsistent or harmful choices and behaviors.
- Accidents in the car or motorbike or otherwise.
- Domestic accidents.
- Poor performance at work or school.
Increased likelihood of committing violent crimes
Among the health problems caused by excessive alcohol consumption we mention:
- Liver disorders: alcoholism can cause alcoholic hepatitis, a liver inflammation. After years of alcoholism, hepatitis can irreversibly and progressively destroy and damage liver tissues (liver cirrhosis);
- Digestive problems: alcohol can cause inflammation of the stomach lining (gastritis) and is able to interfere with the absorption of B vitamins and other nutrients. Drinking too much can also affect the pancreas, which produces hormones that regulate metabolism and enzymes that contribute to the digestion of fats, proteins and carbohydrates;
Heart problems: alcoholism can cause high blood pressure problems and increase the risk of heart failure or stroke; - Complications of diabetes: alcohol interferes with the release of glucose in the liver and can increase the risk of hypoglycemia. It is a dangerous situation if you are diabetic and on insulin therapy to decrease blood glucose levels;
- Sexual function and the menstrual cycle: alcohol abuse can cause erectile dysfunction or interrupt the menstrual cycle;
- Eye problems: over time, alcohol abuse can cause weakness and paralysis of the eye muscles;
Congenital diseases: The abuse of alcohol during pregnancy can cause fetal alcohol syndrome: the baby may already have physical and developmental problems at birth;
Osteoporosis: alcohol can interfere with the formation of bone tissue. Bones can become brittle and present a greater risk of fractures;
Neurological complications
Alcohol abuse can negatively affect the nervous system causing: numbness of the extremities, mental disorders, dementia, short-term memory loss;Increased risk of cancer: Chronic alcohol abuse can cause an increased risk of various cancers: cancer of the mouth, throat, liver, colon and breast.
Alcohol intake can cause serious consequences even among adolescents. Alcohol-related accidents are one of the main causes of death in this age group. Furthermore, alcohol can also cause deaths at a young age due to drowning, suicide and homicide.
When to call the doctor
If you feel that you cannot control your relationship with alcohol, you should speak to your doctor, even if you think you are not an alcoholic, but are concerned that you are drinking too much, or that alcohol is causing problems. in daily life. Other ways to ask for help include counseling or self-help groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous.
Refusal to recognize their disease is a frequent feature among alcoholics, so sufferers may think therapy is completely useless. You will probably not admit to drinking a lot and will not recognize what practical problems in your life are related to alcohol abuse.
Diagnosis
Your first visit will almost certainly be with your GP or general practitioner. Visits can be short and often with a lot of topics to cover, so it’s a good idea to prepare in advance. Here is some information to understand what you can expect from your doctor. Reflect on drinking habits and be honest with yourself.