In addition to its effects on the brain, alcohol also affects the peripheral nervous system, which comprises the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. For example, alcohol misuse is linked to peripheral neuropathy, a condition that commonly occurs in people with severe alcohol use disorder (AUD) and can cause numbness in the arms and legs and painful burning in the feet. Alcohol-related damage to nerves may also cause heart arrythmias (irregular heartbeat), postural or orthostatic hypotension (a drop in blood pressure due to a change in body position), diarrhea, and erectile dysfunction. The concentration of alcohol used in enemas is a critical factor in determining the extent of mucosal injury. Even a small volume of high-proof liquor, such as vodka or whiskey, can cause significant harm.
A Sobering Look at Alcohol’s Effects on the Body
For example, during trauma or injury to the nervous system, glial cells are shown to be activated, which leads to the production of a plethora of cytokines (Munoz-Fernandez and Fresno, 1998; Sheng et al., 2011). An important role of cytokines pertaining chronic ethanol use to their pro-inflammatory effect is their ability to upregulate cell adhesion molecules leading to alteration of the BBB integrity. A review of the literature demonstrates that PECAM plays multiple pro-inflammatory roles in the current clinical context; however, there is evidence to suggest that there are also anti-inflammatory mechanisms regulated by endothelial PECAM-1. PECAM-1 was found to increase the resilience of the endothelial cell barrier and to suppress the proinflammatory cytokines which in turn dampened leukocyte infiltration into the brain (Privratsky et al., 2010).
Immune system
- The harmful substances present in drugs and alcohol can directly damage the cells, tissues, and organs, leading to a range of health complications.
- Research has shown that when alcohol is removed from the body, it activates brain and nerve cells, resulting in excessive excitability (hyperexcitability).
- Experiments with a soybean extract, polyenylphosphatidylcholine (PPC), showed that it could prevent fibrosis and cirrhosis in alcohol-fed baboons.
Research suggests that blood pressure can return to normal levels quickly after stopping alcohol, sometimes within hours to a few days. Genetics can also influence how vulnerable you are to alcohol dependence.30 Variations in genes related to the brain’s reward system may make some people more sensitive to the pleasurable effects of alcohol, and more likely to develop an addiction. The blood that nourishes the heart muscle is delivered through the coronary arteries. Heart attacks, the most common serious manifestation of CHD, are usually triggered by the formation of a blood clot within a coronary artery already narrowed by deposits of cholesterol and other fatty substances. The resulting ischemia reduces the heart’s pumping ability, often leading to permanent disability or death.
- The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines binge drinking as four drinks for women and five drinks for men within a 2 h period, which brings blood alcohol concentration above or equal to 0.08 g/100 mL.
- Hence, research needs to be supported that examines synthesis and mTOR signaling (and possibly other pathways) in humans and assesses whether there are sexually dimorphic differences.
- For 200 years physicians have observed that excessive alcohol consumption can lead to increased illness and death from infectious diseases.
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End-Stage Alcoholism: Effects, Symptoms & Treatment
It disrupts the neurons, reducing their size and impeding their ability to transmit messages effectively. Governments can reduce alcohol-related harm by enforcing stricter regulations on alcohol sales, such as raising the legal drinking age, limiting the hours during which alcohol can be sold, and increasing taxes on alcoholic beverages. These measures have proven effective in countries like Russia, where higher alcohol taxes led to a significant decline in alcohol-related mortality. Additionally, mandatory health warnings on alcohol packaging, similar to those on tobacco products, can raise awareness and discourage overconsumption. Using alcohol with opioid pain relievers, such as oxycodone and morphine, or illicit opioids, such as heroin, is also a very dangerous combination.
Multi-Organ Alcohol-Related Damage: Mechanisms and Treatment
These symptoms indicate severe alcohol dependence and the body’s inability to function properly due drug addiction to prolonged alcohol abuse. Chronic pancreatitis can result in irreversible organ damage and life-threatening complications. Environmental and behavioral factors further contribute to the risk of alcohol-related fatalities. Combining alcohol with other substances, such as opioids or benzodiazepines, creates a synergistic effect that heightens the risk of overdose and death. Additionally, engaging in risky behaviors like driving under the influence or operating machinery significantly increases fatality rates.
