Those who drink too much alcohol can suffer from liver damage, heart disease, brain damage, and cancer.
Long-term effects of excessive drinking can include:
- Reduced grey matter and white matter in the brain.
- Memory loss.
- Loss of attention span.
- Alcoholic hepatitis.
- Liver fibrosis.
- Steatosis (i.e., fatty liver).
- Throat, mouth, larynx, breast, liver, colorectal, or oesophageal cancer.
- High blood pressure
- Cardiomyopathy
- Irregular heartbeat
- Alcohol poisoning
- Effects of Alcohol
Chronic alcohol misuse is associated with many serious health problems. For those working in rehabilitation, a course like a Challenging behaviour course is essential. Find out more by visiting https://www.tidaltraining.co.uk/learning-disability-training/challenging-behaviour-training-breakaway-techniques
Here are a few ways alcohol can impact the body:
Liver: An expected severe consequence of long-term alcohol abuse is liver disease. Over some time of alcohol abuse, the liver can develop inflammation and scarring. Medical issues such as fatty liver, hepatitis, and cirrhosis can occur. Liver cancer is also a higher risk.
Pancreas: Alcohol forces the pancreas to produce harmful substances, which can cause pancreatitis.
Cardiovascular Health: Drinking alcohol has complex effects on cardiovascular health. In 2016, alcohol-related CV disease caused about 593,000 deaths globally. Consuming too much alcohol is associated with high blood pressure, heartbeat problems, blood flow problems, clots, stroke, and heart attack. Excessive alcohol use can also cause anaemia.
Bones: Alcohol abuse can lead to an imbalance of calcium, which is vital for maintaining healthy bones. Too much alcohol can also impact Vitamin D production, which is necessary for calcium absorption. A calcium deficiency can raise the danger of osteoporosis, increasing the risk of fractures leading to possible severe illness and disability.