Alcohol is one of the most aggressive and worst compounds which negatively impact your body and brain. Alcohol is an intoxicating ingredient found in rum, beer, and wine, and there is a wide range of long term effects of alcohol on the body and brain. Alcohol is a depressant that means it slows down the systems of the body by reaching the brain. Alcohol puts extra pressure on the digestive system, liver, and other functions, and it becomes difficult for the body to process it. People consume alcohol to relax, party, and socialize, but they often ignore the side effects of alcohol. Now, if you are thinking about how alcohol is harmful to health, we have got all the answers to your questions.
The impact of alcohol starts on your body from the moment you take the first sip. Taking a glass of wine occasionally is not cause for concern, but consuming alcohol regularly is harmful to the body. While all the organs in your body experience the effects of drinking alcohol, but some of the organs are at higher risk of damage. Here is a list of the impact of alcohol on different parts of the body and brain.
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- Brain
The effects of alcohol on the brain can be felt quickly. There is wide range of effects of alcohol on brain. Drinking alcohol not only leads to temporary complications like coordination or memory loss, but it can also cause long term side effects, which are, in many cases, irreversible. Drinking makes it hard for the brain to generate long-term memories. It decreases the ability of the brain to think appropriately and make rational choices. If you continue drinking for a longer time, then it might lead t damage to the frontal lobe area. This area of the brain is accountable for the control of short-term memory, judgments, and emotions.
- Lever
Lever breaks down the alcohol that you drink. In the procedure of breaking the alcohol, the liver has to handle many toxins. Too much drinking from a longer period of time makes the organ fatty, and it also leads to the development of fibrous tissues. It limits the flow of blood, which restricts the liver cells to get things they need to survive, which in turn leads to damage to the liver cells. With the death of liver cells, the liver stops working properly and develops a disease, namely cirrhosis.
Heavy drinkers are often at the risk of life-threatening problems related to the liver. The liver plays the role of removing alcohol from the blood, and drinking too much in a short period of time can lead to fatty liver. It can also lead to type 2 diabetes and liver failure.
- Pancreas
The pancreas is an essential part of the procedure of digestion, and it plays an important role in regulating the levels of blood sugar. Over time, drinking excess alcohol develops a negative impact on the pancreas, which in turn leads to health complications. Alcohol abuse, for a long time, can also lead to pancreatitis. Medication can help to reduce and handle the effects of pancreatitis, but it is very difficult to reverse this condition.
- Heart
Side effects of alcohol on the heart are remarkable as the heart is vulnerable to the adverse effects of consuming alcohol. Heavy drinking can weaken the heart over time, which in turn impact the procedure of delivering oxygen and nutrients to the other parts of the body. Excessive consumption of alcohol can increase the level of triglyceride, which is the type of fat in the blood. An increase in the level of triglyceride contributes to serious heart diseases and diabetes. Excessive drinking can also lead to irregular heartbeat and high blood pressure. Long-term effects of alcohol on the body and especially on heart, comprise sudden cardiac death and cardiomyopathy.
- Immune System
Long term impacts of alcohol on the body also include damage to the natural immune system. It makes it difficult for the body to fight the invading viruses and germs. Drinking alcohol also increases the risk of various types of cancer, such as colon, breast, and mouth.
The above-mentioned effects are the long-term side effects of alcohol. Short term side effects of alcohol include:
- Slowed breathing
- Lack of coordination
- Vision impairment
- Memory lapse
- Slurred speech
