The modern way of life brings along with innumerable tensions, be it the mounting levels of stress at the workplace, or the taut strains of social relationships. Consequently, it is not uncommon to find an ever increasing section of society, resorting to as a means of alleviating their stress and thus falling prey to the devastating disease called alcoholism. But their stress-handling mechanism, more often than not, backfires as a majority of these individuals are unaware of the unending cycle of depression they are trapping themselves in. This is because alcohol, by nature, is a depressant. And hence, the more you drink, the deeper you entrench yourself in the very depression you are trying to escape, as to rid yourself of the misery alcohol is causing, you drink even more. And this excessive amount of alcohol that you consume causes severe and often irreparable damage to your body, which can even result in death.
Alcohol begins its journey through your body from the esophagus, from where it passes to your stomach, from where it is assimilated into your bloodstream. This blood is then directed to your liver, where it is broken down into several other chemicals, which in turn are converted into carbon dioxide and water which your system can excrete. This is a long and complicated process which takes your liver a certain amount of time to complete, and if you try to rush it by drinking more alcohol than your liver is capable of converting, the levels of alcohol in your bloodstream can rise to dangerous levels.
Your liver is the worst hit, as alcohol causes large amounts of fats to be deposited in it. This condition is not very severe in its nascent phases and can even be reversed if you cut down on your drinking patterns. If ignored, it can even lead to the inflammation of your liver, a condition which is labeled Alcohol Hepatitis. Hepatitis is not usually discernable at its initial stages, as it does not display any explicit symptoms that are characteristic of it. But once this condition develops into the chronic phase, the liver begins to produce excessive amounts of bilirubin leading to jaundice and ultimately liver failure. Excessive consumption of alcohol also leads to the formation of scar tissue, a process labeled as Fibrosis. This scar tissue damages the cells in your liver and disrupts the production of new cells, thus causing your liver to grow weaker over time and finally results in liver failure. This disease is very difficult to detect and diagnose as the symptoms are often latent for many years and only emerge when the condition is in its most crucial chapters.
One of the most frequent origins of heart disease is excessive consumption of alcohol. Alcohol causes severe and long term damage to your heart, invariably leads to high blood pressure and can also lead to stroke. Victims of alcohol abuse are also known to develop Alcohol Cardiomyopathy, when their excesses with alcohol result in abnormal enlargement and diminishment of their cardio-vascular health.
Long-term alcohol abuse may lead to a condition called 'Alcohol Dementia' where your learning skills, memory and other cognitive abilities are severely disrupted. The reason for this disease lies in the damage alcohol causes to the brain, the spinal cord and the peripheral nervous system. Over time, this condition develops to memory lapses and the alcoholic finds basic problem solving and performing tasks which require learning skills very difficult to accomplish. This condition may further develop into paranoia or Korsakoff psychosis, where the individual makes up intricate stories to make up for the lapses in his memory.
Alcohol Abuse is also responsible for severe inflammation of the pancreas or Pancreatitis, a condition that often develops into Diabetes. Alcoholic drinks are also very high in calories, leading to the individual growing obese and suffering from high blood pressure. Alcohol also depletes the inner stomach lining, thus depriving the body of many vital nutrients. The loss of appetite, which most alcoholics suffer from, also makes them malnourished and impairs their immunity to a host of diseases. Alcohol also induces cancerous growth in the victim's mouth, liver, colon and gullet. Males are susceptible to erectile dysfunction while women may face several complications in their pregnancy and also an irregular menstrual cycle.
Although research has proved that the body can absorb moderate levels of alcohol and even profit from the lowered risk of heart disease that alcohol grants, it is vital that you remember that drinking any more than three times a day, brings the negative traits if alcohol to the fore. There are several other, more proven ways to boost your cardiovascular health, like a well-planned diet and an active lifestyle which incorporates a reasonable amount of exercise. It may so happen that you, as a victim may very often be unaware of the devastating impact your consumption of alcohol is causing, as one of the primary symptoms of alcoholism. Many symptoms may not be discernable, until they are at their most crucial phases, which makes treating them a lot more difficult. So, the next time you set out on a night of mindless partying, which can't do without frivolous amounts of alcohol, pay heed to that little voice which reminds you of all the damage you are inflicting on yourself and consider if that shot of vodka is indeed worth jeopardizing your physical and mental wellbeing
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