Consumption of alcohol damages health; that is the most obvious statement we have come across. But how, prolonged consumption, health risks, and other detailed factors associated with liquor consumption will be discussed in this blog. So stay tuned till the end.

One does not realize the impact alcohol has on our bodies, but it begins its evil role from the first sip itself. If you have tried it, it starts with an awful smell and taste, and after passing through the esophagus, it gives a warm buzz. Until it is out of our system, head spins, headaches and puking are experienced. Alcohol can pose both short-term and long-term health effects, which include a weak immune system.

Few consume occasional and low-content alcohol during mealtime thinking that it won’t cause health issues, but drinking any type or amount of alcohol leads to adverse health consequences.

 

How does alcohol affect us?

In a few countries, alcohol is considered a social drug. Well, the effect is different for each individual depending on gender, mental and physical health, medical condition, empty stomach, lower percentage of body muscle, underweight, age, etc.

Alcohol affects the body immediately and lasts only for hours, while sometimes it accumulates over time and affects quality of life. As one drinks, it passes into the blood through the walls of the stomach and small intestine. Then slowly, it travels to all parts of the body, including the brain, and hinders the way you think, feel, and behave.

In an average healthy person, it takes a few minutes to reach the brain, which is then removed by the liver. The short-term effects can include lowered inhibitors, interpersonal conflict, accidents, altered risky or violent behaviour, hangovers, alcohol poisoning, etc. The long-term effects can include cancer, liver failure, and mental health problems.

Let’s understand and discuss them one by one.

 What is binge drinking?

It means drinking heavily over a short period to tranquillize or intoxicate oneself. The short-term adverse effects may be hangovers, alcohol poisoning, accidents, violence, etc., while the long-term effects may be heart disease, cancer, liver cirrhosis, and diabetes.

Short-Term Effects of Alcohol

What is a hangover?

It is a short-term set of unpleasant physical symptoms experienced due to excessive alcohol intake. There is no standard for how many drinks are needed for the hangover; it might be one drink or 10 pegs.

If we understand physiology, the severity of hangovers is correlated with the metabolism of alcohol, which triggers several reactions and contributes to hangovers.

The immediate reaction to a hangover is frequent urination, dehydration, an inflammatory response from the immune system, irritation of the stomach lining, a drop in blood sugar and blood pressure, and the expansion of blood vessels. Prolonged drinking may cause a hangover with symptoms such as thirst, headache, muscle aches, diarrhoea, nausea, fatigue, weakness, trembling or shaking, rapid heart rate, increased blood pressure, dry mouth and eyes, poor concentration, increased sensitivity to light and sound, head spinning, or a sense of dizziness, anxiety, depression, irritability, and other mood disturbances such as poor, restless, or less sleep, etc.

Hangovers may be more severe if one drinks with an empty stomach use other drugs while drinking, sleeps poorly after drinking, or and drinking coloured alcohol such as brandy, rum, or whiskey.

A hangover usually lasts for 24 hours, but one can avoid it by drinking water in between alcohol sips, eating something, taking pain relievers, and sleeping it off.

 

 

Alcohol Poisoning Emergency

This can be life-threatening and includes confusion, vomiting, seizures, slow breathing or irregular breathing, blue-tinged skin or pale skin, low body temperature (hypothermia), difficulty remaining conscious, passing out (unconsciousness), and being unable to be woken. In all these cases, seek immediate medical attention as they need drugs or special hospital care.

In the short term, alcohol can also lead to accidental injury, accident, deliberately harming yourself or others, risky sexual behaviour, and domestic, and sexual violence.

Long-term Effects of Alcohol

It is believed that drinking more than 2 standard cups of coffee a day may cause a long-term health problem, which includes an increased risk of chronic disease development.

Alcohol consumption can affect overall aspects of a person’s life, such as physical, mental, work, financial, social relationships, etc. If we discuss physical health, then it poses a severe risk of cardiovascular disease, cancers, including those of the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, oesophagus, liver, colorectum,  diabetes, nutrition-related conditions such as folate deficiency and malnutrition, overweight and obesity, risks to unborn babies, and liver diseases.

To discuss mental health conditions, anxiety, depression, interference with antidepressant medication, self-harm (suicide), etc. are observed. If we take social relationships, then impotence, infertility issues, low sperm count, hormonal imbalance, etc. are observed, which might affect the social image of a person.

Alcohol may take control of the brain and affect the behaviour of a person, which may be abnormal at times. One may commit a crime, behave in an antisocial way, or do something embarrassing. If one drinks a lot or becomes dependent on alcohol, one could end up spending a lot of money on their drinking or some antisocial activities like gambling, etc. 

How do I reduce the effects of alcohol?

The best and most obvious way is to stop drinking alcohol. But if you are addicted, then low-level drinking can be more beneficial than binge drinking and heavy drinking.

In many countries, the Medical Research Council has specified the safest standard drinking scales. For instance, drinking no more than 10 standard drinks or 4 drinks per day and week, respectively, reduces the lifetime risk of harm from alcohol. Alcohol consumption should be strictly prohibited for pregnant and breastfeeding women.

Generally, when people are under tremendous pressure or stress or are trapped in a situation where they can’t find a solution, they start consuming alcohol. As a takeaway from the blog, to reduce or stop drinking, one needs to be mentally strong or think in a positive direction. A ray of hope and the hope of doing something better can help eliminate the effects of alcohol. One can even try stress-relieving techniques, as drinking alcohol can be life-threatening.