Alcohol and You

Introduction

As the last article was on Smoking, thought that it might be an Idea to write one on one of the the social sins, Alcohol and You.

It is important that if you drink alcohol, that you understand the effect that it can have on your body, your general relationships, in fact on your life and well being in general.

Yes I like a drink, but gone are the days of a few pints several nights a week, or a couple of bottles of wine a week. I realised that it was not good for me, when I lost my money it made me realise how much I was spending, now I have one can of beer on a Sunday before my lunch, the rest of the week I have one bottle of red wine which I make last me the entire week. When it runs out I just go dry, boy do I feel better.

The Effect of Alcohol on Your Internal Organs

The Stomach

The reaction of alcohol is very dangerous as the stomach is unable to produce in sufficient quantity the natural digestive fluid required, it also can imperfectly digest the food which it fails to absorb.

An alcoholic will face senses of distention, prostration and a nausea feeling of emptiness. This gives them a hating of wanting food, with the added problem of craving for even more drink. A permanent disorder, known as dyspepsia could be the result. Alcoholism can also lead to the serious forms of confirmed indigestion.

So how does the liver get affected.

The continual use of alcohol can cause organs to deteriorate, this can be fatal. The liver is the organ which is most often affected by alcohol often undergoing changes to its structure.

The liver of an alcoholic is typically saturated with alcohol, which affects its membranous or capsular structure. This can lead to a dilatation of vessels, an overload of fluid matter, and a thickening of tissue, resulting in a contraction of the membrane and a shrinking of the organ. Subsequently, the lower parts of the alcoholic may become dropsical due to the obstruction of the returning blood by their veins. Furthermore, fatty cells may accumulate in the structure of the liver, causing what is technically known as ‘fatty liver’. All in all, it’s clear that alcohol has a major impact on the liver’s functioning.

The liver of an alcoholic is constantly under the influence of alcohol, which is often saturated with it. This affects its membranous structure, leading to improper dialysis and free secretion. The liver becomes enlarged due to dilated vessels, an overload of fluid and thickened tissue. As mentioned above this causes the lower parts of the body to become dropsical, as the veins are blocked from returning blood. The liver may also become filled with fatty cells, a condition known as ‘fatty liver’. In summary, alcohol affects the liver in multiple ways, leading to serious health complications.

How do the Kidneys deteriorate?

The Kidneys can be detrimentally affected by the over consumption of alcohol. The vessels of the Kidneys become less elastic and lose the ability to contract. Cells within them are modified by fatty deposits. This makes it easier for albumin to pass through the membranes, leading to a gradual depletion of the body’s blood supply.

The Lungs and Congestion

The lungs are particularly vulnerable to the effects of alcohol as they are exposed to drastic changes in temperature. In cold weather, the sudden onset of congestion can be fatal for an alcoholic. Therefore, it is important to be aware of the risks associated with excessive alcohol consumption and take steps to protect your health.

How Alcohol Weakens the Heart

Alcohol can have a detrimental effect on the heart. Its consumption can lead to changes in the membranous structures which cover and line the heart, such as thickening, becoming cartilaginous or calcareous. In addition, the valves may lose their suppleness, resulting in permanent valvular disorder. The structure of the coats of the great blood-vessel leading from the heart can also be affected, losing its elasticity and its ability to feed the heart with blood. Moreover, the muscular structure of the heart can deteriorate due to changes in its tissue, leading to a reduction in the power of contraction.

These organic issues of the central and governing organ of the circulation of the blood may not be obvious at first, but can be felt through a central failure of power from slight causes such as overexertion, trouble, broken rest or too long abstinence from food. People may attempt to relieve this sensation with wine or other stimulants, only to discover that the remedy fails. Ultimately, the jaded, overworked heart can no longer bear the strain, leading to either an overflow of the current into the tissues or a complete cessation at the centre.

Conclusion

If you were in any doubt about the effects that alcohol can have on your health, then just reading this should enforce any doubts that you may have.

The next article which will be on “Beat the Drug Habit” which will conclude the trilogy on the three modern sins and will be released on Monday.

Stay healthy,

Stuart

https://healthyyouonline.com