When consumed responsibly and in moderation, alcohol can be enjoyed
without repercussions. Unfortunately, when drinking becomes a
problem the effects can be disastrous for the health of the human body.
According to the National institute of alcohol abuse and alcoholism,
the immediate effects of alcohol including an increase in blood alcohol
concentration can begin 10 minutes after your first sip. However, it’s
the long term effects alcohol can have on the body that you should be
more worried about. Research suggests that excessive alcohol
consumption can lead to a variety of different cancers including mouth,
esophagus, throat, liver, and breast. It can also cause severe dam


1.Heart
We’re all familiar with recent studies that attribute the antioxidants
found in a single glass of red wine to a reduced risk of cardiovascular
disease, but what happens when the single glass turns into a bottle?
Over time, excessive alcohol consumption begins to weaken the heart
muscle resulting in blood flow irregularities. Alcoholics and binge
drinkers are often plagued by a condition known as cardiomyopathy
where the heart stretches and droops. People diagnosed with
cardiomyopathy caused by alcohol tend to experience shortness of
breath, arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat), fatigue, enlarged liver, and a
persistent cough. Alcohol can also increase the risk of a heart attack,
stroke, and hypertension.


2.Brain
Beyond that initial feeling of euphoria, alcohol can have a detrimental
effect on the brain. By slowing the relay of information between
neurotransmitters, the ethanol found in alcoholic drinks can cause
damage to multiple areas of the brain. Prolonged damage to the brain’s
neurotransmitters can result in behavioral and mood changes such as
depression, anxiety, memory loss, and seizures. Alcoholism combined
with poor nutrition can also trigger Wernicke Korsakoff's Syndrome ,
“Wet Brain.” Alcoholics with “Wet Brain” experience a form of
depression characterized by memory loss, confusion, hallucinations, loss
of muscle coordination, and an inability to form new memories.


3.Liver
We tend to underscore the importance of the human liver, however,
many alcoholics can tell you with certainty just how important liver
function really is. Our livers are essential when it comes to proper
food digestion, nutrient absorption, controlling infections, and ridding
the body of toxins. There are over two million people in the U.S.
who suffer from liver disease caused by excessive alcohol consumption.
Liver cirrhosis ranked as the 12th leading cause of death among
Americans in 2009. Out of the 31,522 deaths reported that year, 48.2
percent were considered alcohol related. Around one out every three
liver transplants in the U.S. is the result of liver disease caused by
alcohol consumption.


4.Pancreas
A lot like the brain, large amounts of alcohol can confuse the Pancreas
causing it to secret enzymes internally instead of sending them to the
small intestines. The buildup of enzymes in the pancreas will eventually
cause inflammation. This inflammation, also known as pancreatitis,
can either occur as a sudden attack (acute pancreatitis) that includes
symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting, increase heart
rate, diarrhea, and fever or chronic pancreatitis which slowly
deteriorates the pancreas, leading to diabetes and even death.


5.Kidneys
The effect alcohol has on the liver can also spread to the Kidneys. Due
to the diuretic effect alcohol has on increasing the amount of urine the
body produces, the kidneys are not able to do their job of regulating the
flow and makeup of body fluids including the distribution of sodium,
potassium, and chloride ions. This can in turn disturb our balance of
electrolytes. Excessive alcohol consumption can also lead to high blood
pressure, the second leading cause of kidney failure.