Everyone knows about the harmful effects of ethanol on the human body. With systematic abuse of alcohol, the patient often develops illness from alcohol. In the early stages, they can occur without severe symptoms. Often, diseases of alcoholic etiology make themselves felt only when irreversible changes have already occurred in the body. What pathologies can occur when drinking alcohol? And how to recognize them? We will answer these questions in the article.
The effect of alcohol on the body
Large doses of ethanol are poisonous to the body. The systematic use of alcohol leads to serious malfunctions in the work of almost all organs. Ethanol breakdown products also cause great harm to health. It is they that cause headache and nausea during a hangover syndrome.
First of all, alcohol negatively affects the condition of the following organs and systems:
- liver
- pancreas;
- the esophagus;
- the stomach;
- heart and blood vessels;
- peripheral nerves;
- kidney
- brain;
- reproductive organs;
- the immune system.
Next, we will consider in detail the harmful effects of ethanol on organs and the possible consequences of alcoholism.
Liver
Ethanol is neutralized and processed in the liver cells. However, if a person drank a large amount of alcohol, then the body can not cope with the increased load. This leads to a severe upset of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. In addition, ethanol has a detrimental effect on liver cells (hepatocytes).
With alcohol abuse, the liver parenchyma is gradually replaced by connective and adipose tissue. In this case, doctors diagnose cirrhosis. Often this disease is preceded by an inflammatory process in the organ (alcoholic hepatitis).
According to ICD-10, cirrhosis of the liver is divided into several groups depending on the etiology. This disease is found not only in alcoholics. The cause of dystrophic changes in the liver can be viral hepatitis, impaired outflow of bile, as well as autoimmune processes. However, in 50 - 70% of cases, this pathology occurs due to alcohol abuse. The complete code for alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver according to ICD-10 is K70.3.
Many patients mistakenly believe that cirrhosis develops only with frequent use of hard liquors. However, this is not the case. Often, liver damage occurs in people who abuse beer or low-alcohol cocktails.
This is the most dangerous disease from alcohol. At an early stage, cirrhosis occurs without severe symptoms, so it is very difficult to identify the pathology in time. The first signs of the disease appear only 5-6 years after the onset of dystrophic changes. Patients complain of the following manifestations:
- constant feeling of tiredness;
- nausea
- loss of appetite
- strong weight loss;
- bloating (due to fluid buildup);
- heart palpitations;
- increase in blood pressure.
When probing, a strong increase in the liver is determined. At this stage, it is no longer possible to repair damaged tissue. Pathological changes in the organ are irreversible. You can only try to stop the degeneration of the liver. But treatment will be effective only with a complete rejection of alcohol.
The prognosis of the disease depends on the degree of tissue damage. If pathological changes affect most of the organ, then in about half the cases, a fatal outcome is noted. Liver transplantation allows saving the patient, but such an operation is possible only with a complete rejection of alcohol.
Pancreas
Ethanol irritates the gastrointestinal mucosa. This causes the pancreas to produce increased amounts of digestive enzymes. Excess of such substances is very harmful. Enzymes begin to digest gland tissue, which leads to the following pathological changes in the organ:
- Acute pancreatitis of alcoholic etiology. This disease occurs with a massive exposure of the enzymes to the pancreas. It is accompanied by inflammation and rapid death of organ cells. At a late stage of the disease, purulent abscesses form in the gland. Pathology is characterized by a rapid course. Without treatment, the patient dies within a few days. But even with timely therapy, a fatal outcome is noted in 70% of cases. It is important to remember that pancreatic necrosis develops not only in chronic alcoholics. Even a single intake of a large amount of alcohol can lead to the death of gland cells.
- Chronic pancreatitis. If even small doses of ethanol are constantly ingested, this can cause chronic inflammation of the pancreas. In this case, enzymes destroy organ tissues gradually. The patient periodically has girdle pains in the abdomen that are not stopped by analgesics and antispasmodics. The attack is preceded by the use of alcohol or spicy food. Often there is vomiting, which does not bring relief.
Digestive tract
While swallowing strong drinks, ethanol burns the lining of the esophagus. With the systematic use of alcohol, an ulcer forms on the organ wall. In the area of the esophagus there are a large number of small and large vessels. When the ulcer is pierced, severe bleeding from the organ can open. Without emergency medical care, this leads to the death of the patient.
Alcohol is irritating to the walls of the stomach. This stimulates the production of hydrochloric acid. In this case, ethanol very quickly leaves the stomach and goes into the intestine. Excess acid aggressively affects the mucous membrane. Under normal conditions, mucus is produced in the stomach that protects its walls. However, alcohol reduces the secretion of this substance. Over time, gastritis or a stomach ulcer occurs. The risk of such pathologies increases if the patient drinks alcohol with a small amount of food.
Heart and blood vessels
Cardiologists often warn patients about the extremely negative effect of alcohol on the human cardiovascular system. Ethanol causes gluing of blood cells (platelets and red blood cells), which subsequently leads to clogging of blood vessels by blood clots. This disrupts the nutrition of various organs and leads to hypoxia, from which the brain primarily suffers.
In addition, ethanol acts on the heart muscle as a potent poison. It causes dystrophic changes in the tissues of the myocardium. Muscle cells gradually die. This significantly worsens the contractility of the heart and can lead to the following pathologies:
- Myocardial infarction. Alcoholics have an increased blood viscosity. This leads to a deterioration of patency of the coronary vessels. As a result, the blood flow to the heart is sharply disrupted in patients. In the myocardium, necrotic changes occur. Doctors call this dangerous condition a heart attack. Typically, a heart catastrophe is preceded by periodic chest pains that occur due to malnutrition of the myocardium.
- Cardiomyopathy Alcohol impairs the absorption of B vitamins. These substances are necessary for the normal functioning of the heart muscle. Due to vitamin deficiency, myocardial fibers weaken and lose contractility. Such a disease can develop after years of alcohol abuse.
- Atrial fibrillation. This is a severe heart rhythm disorder, which is accompanied by chaotic contractions of the heart muscle. Over time, this pathology can lead to obstruction of the coronary vessels and heart attack. Emergency doctors note that most attacks of atrial fibrillation occur in patients after taking a large dose of alcohol.
The negative effect of alcohol on the human cardiovascular system is also manifested in the fact that ethanol first expands and then sharply narrows the lumen of the blood vessels. Such a sudden spasm can lead to a jump in blood pressure. If alcohol is taken regularly, then the patient develops chronic hypertension. As a rule, alcoholics have a poor state of blood vessels, so high blood pressure can provoke cerebral ischemia and stroke.
Peripheral nerves
Alcoholic neuropathy occurs in 70% of people with chronic alcoholism. The cause of the pathology is damage to the peripheral nerves of the lower extremities. It occurs due to a deterioration in the absorption of B vitamins and the toxic effects of ethanol on nerve fibers.
More often, doctors use the term "alcoholic polyneuropathy of the lower extremities." After all, with this pathology, not one nerve is affected, but several at once. The disease is accompanied by a destruction of the structure of the nervous tissue and a deterioration in the transmission of signals from motor neurons to the skin and muscles.
At an early stage, alcoholic neuropathy may not manifest itself in any way. Then there are burning pains in the legs of a shooting character. Patients complain of other unpleasant sensations in the lower extremities: tingling, itching, "creeping creeps."
In the future, the pain syndrome disappears, the legs go numb and lose sensitivity. This indicates the complete destruction of nerve fibers. The patient's gait becomes uncertain, patients feel heaviness in the legs.
Without treatment, alcoholic polyneuropathy of the lower extremities is steadily progressing. The muscles of the legs weaken and atrophy, ulcers appear on the skin. Tendon reflexes completely disappear.
This disease is successfully treated only with a short history of alcohol abuse. A complete rejection of alcohol and vitamin therapy can significantly improve the patient's condition. In advanced cases, the patient completely loses the ability to move independently, which leads to deep disability.
Psyche
Mental illness from alcohol occurs quite often. After all, ethanol has a toxic effect on the brain. Regular intake of alcohol leads to the death of neurons. In addition, ethanol disrupts the blood supply to the brain and causes hypoxia. All this leads to serious changes in the personality of a person, and then to mental disorders.
Everyone knows that in a person who systematically abuses alcohol, the character changes dramatically and mental abilities worsen. Doctors call this condition alcohol degradation of a person. The cause of psychopathology is organic changes in the brain caused by the constant exposure of ethanol to neurons.
Narcologists identify the following symptoms of alcohol degradation of a person:
- loss of interest in previous occupations;
- loss of moral and ethical criteria;
- deceitfulness;
- egocentrism;
- lack of criticism of one’s condition;
- arrogance;
- aggressiveness;
- mood swings;
- constant justification of drinks;
- untidiness;
- impaired memory and thinking.
Degradation usually develops with systematic abuse of alcohol over many years.
If the patient continues to drink, then organic brain changes and mental disorders progress. Against the background of deficiency of B vitamins and the death of neurons, alcohol dementia (dementia) develops.
The first sign of developing dementia is a pronounced memory disorder. The patient remembers well the old events, but forgets everything that was yesterday. This deviation often occurs in alcoholics over the age of 50 - 55 years.
Dementia is steadily progressing and further on the patient has the following symptoms of alcoholic dementia:
- lack of will;
- periodic amnesia (memory lapses);
- pathological isolation;
- inability to perceive and absorb information;
- disorientation in time and space;
- movement coordination disorders;
- slurred speech;
- trembling limbs.
Suspension of changes in the brain is possible only in the early stages of dementia. If a patient has already died a large number of neurons, then dementia becomes irreversible.
Delusional disorders and alcoholic psychoses in alcoholism usually occur in the second stage of the disease, when the patient has already formed a physical dependence on ethanol. Refusal from alcohol leads to the appearance of withdrawal symptoms (hangover). This unpleasant condition is accompanied by trembling of the extremities, dry mouth, headache and nausea, general weakness. It disappears only after taking the next dose of alcohol.
Against the background of withdrawal symptoms, patients develop alcoholic psychoses. This is preceded by drinking for several days. Before the appearance of acute psychotic disorders, insomnia, depressed mood with guilt, increased anxiety and suspicion are noted. Then the patient develops visual and auditory hallucinations of an unpleasant and intimidating nature. Such patients need emergency psychiatric care and placement in a hospital. In a state of psychosis, the patient can be dangerous to others.
Excretory organs
The kidneys process toxic substances that enter the body. But when a person takes an excess of ethanol, then the excretory organs do not cope with their work. The kidneys are not able to neutralize a large amount of toxins. In addition, the decay products of ethanol irritate organ tissues.
Over time, the patient develops dystrophy of the kidneys (nephrosis). Normal organ tissue is replaced by fatty inclusions. This leads to a violation of the water-salt balance, the appearance of edema on the face and limbs, and urination disorders. In advanced cases, renal failure develops.
Reproductive function
The effect of alcohol on the female body is much stronger than on the male. Addiction to alcohol in patients often develops against a background of depressive and neurotic disorders. In women, withdrawal symptoms are much more severe, and alcoholism progresses faster than in men. Severe degradation of personality can occur within 2 to 3 years of systematic drinking.
In addition, ethanol negatively affects the female reproductive system. Alcohol raises estrogen levels in the body. This leads to hormonal malfunctions and disorders of the menstrual cycle. Subsequently, endocrine disorders can provoke infertility.
It is important to remember that a certain reserve of eggs is given to a woman from birth. Over the life of their stock is not replenished and not updated. Ethanol has a toxic effect on antral follicles, from which the eggs later mature. If the damaged cell is involved in the process of fertilization, then this can lead to the birth of a child with chromosomal abnormalities.
Alcohol negatively affects the reproductive function of men. The quality of the seminal fluid is deteriorating, the number of pathologically altered and motionless sperm is increasing. All this can provoke male infertility. In addition, toxic damage to sperm often causes the birth of a sick child.
The immune system
A consequence of alcohol abuse can be a significant weakening of the immune system. Ethanol inhibits the production of proteins (globulins), which protect the body from infections. The normal functioning of the immune system is restored only after 2 to 3 days after taking alcohol. If a person systematically consumes alcohol, then his production of immunoglobulins is constantly reduced.
For this reason, drinkers become very susceptible to various infections. They are often infected with viruses and bacteria, which leads to the following diseases:
- flu
- pneumonia;
- tuberculosis
- gastrointestinal infections;
- hepatitis A.
Infectious pathologies in alcoholics proceed in a severe form and often give complications.
In addition, with the frequent use of alcohol, opportunistic pathogens of diseases are often activated. These microorganisms are present in every person, but they cause pathological manifestations only with a decrease in immunity. Systematically drinking people often suffer from candidiasis, staphylococcal inflammation, papillomatosis.
Conclusion
We have cited only the most common illnesses from alcohol. The full list of pathologies provoked by excessive drinking is quite extensive. It can be concluded that ethanol is toxic to many organs and systems of the body. To prevent the development of dangerous diseases is possible only by refusing alcohol.
However, it is very difficult for a person with an already formed alcohol dependence to quit drinking on their own. In this case, you should consult a narcologist. Today, there are many methods of getting rid of alcoholism, which are quite effective.