Alcohol abuse
Cirrhosis of the liver is often associated with alcoholism however it also occurs in individuals who never drink. The precise cause is unknown.
Other possible causes include poor nutrition, specially a deficiency of vitamin B, genetic deficiencies, extended periods of exposure to drugs & toxins
Drinking without moderation, in most cases will cause some liver damage, but it may not necessarily cause cirrhosis(caused by alcoholism).
Cirrhosis of the liver is very slow & gradual in its development. Very often its well advanced before its symptoms are noticeable enough to cause alarm.
Alcohol use is not unhealthy when taking 1 or 2 drinks of hard liquor per day. Taken this way, it can serve as a relaxant & have helpful health effects
However, excessive consumption of alcohol is poisonous to the body and is considered a drug, producing a chronic condition known as alcoholism.
Alcohol should be avoided when suffering from certain disorders such as epilepsy, liver disorders such as hepatitis and stomach or duodenal ulcers.
On average, the lifespan of alcoholics is approximately 13yrs shorter than a non-alcoholic as a result of the devastating effects that it has on the body
The prolonged abuse of alcohol affects the human body causing in some cases permanent damage to the body.
Permanent effects of alcoholism are more dangerous and difficult if not impossible to recover from e.g Kidney disease, Nutritional disease etc
The heart is vulnerable to alcohol effects. Often alcoholics have higher levels of blood pressure and face an increased rate of heart disease.
Another common side-effect is the reduced flow of blood to the arms and legs. Heavy prolonged drinking can also lead to strokes and brain damage.
Alcohol causes the brain to literally shrink over time, causing brain cells to die affecting memory, sight,smell, hearing, hormones & the nervous system
Then, at least 1 in 5 develops cirrhosis. Early signs of cirrhosis of the liver may include nausea, swelling of the ankles,pain in the abdomen & fatigue
Pregnant women should be aware of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. The fetus may suffer from the inability to successfully receive oxygen and nutrition.
The child may be born with several deformities due to alcohol consumption, such as malformations of the face, organ deformities or mental retardation.
In alcoholics, the intestinal microflora is acutely deranged. Growth of toxin producing bacteria in small intestine leads to poor absorption of fats,protein etc
Also, alcohol consumption raises intestinal permeability to toxins & partially digested foods, thus allowing intensified toxic and food allergy effects
As alcoholism is a weakening disease, the sooner a treatment can be started, the better. Drinking in moderation may not result in the problems mentioned earlier
If you have a problem with drinking, you should address it as soon as you possible in order to limit the damage that is done to your body.