There can be many disorders and diseases that alcohol abuse is capable of directly causing or can contribute to.
Diseases that are directly caused by alcohol abuse include:
- alcoholic liver disease;
- heart disease;
- brain damage;
- peripheral nerve disease;
- alcoholic gastritis;
- Pancreatitis caused by alcohol;
- muscle disease.
Fetal alcohol disease, which affects children born with birth defects to mothers who abuse alcohol during pregnancy, should also be added to the major alcohol-induced diseases.
Of all the diseases caused by alcohol abuse, some occupy a primary place as the most prevalent and recurrent among chronic drinkers.
Liver disease:
There are many factors that contribute to the establishment of an alcoholic liver disease, a hepatopathy; first and foremost is the habit of alcohol consumption, no matter whether moderately or more occasionally, but it matters how chronic the habit can become.
Simultaneous intake of various medications, some particularly contraindicated, with alcohol consumption also sometimes contributes to liver damage. Alcohol does not affect everyone in the same way so the liver can be damaged in both those who drink for many years and those who “binge” from time to time.
The first damage to the liver is given by hepatic steatosis(fatty liver). This condition paves the way for greater damage such asalcoholic hepatitis.
Although some drinkers do not describe symptoms in this condition the liver damage can progress to end in cirrhosis of the liver, a condition of irreversibility with many specific symptoms, marks on the body, and a skin that looks yellow, and with progressive weight loss.
Heart Disease:
The heart is a very exposed target with respect to the onslaught of alcohol abuse because of increased blood pressure, weight gain, and diabetes, all diseases that go to the heart muscle.
Over time, cardiac damage impairs the heart’s ability to pump blood with significant consequences for the entire body.
Symptoms of alcohol-induced heart failure include a tendency to fatigue, irregular heartbeat and dyspnea, and conditions of swelling in the legs, ankles and feet are not uncommon.
Brain damage caused by alcohol abuse:
The brain may be first damaged and then deprived of its cells, until it decreases in size due to cells destroyed by alcohol abuse.
Memory is also impaired and even sensory perception, especially visual perception.
Alcohol abuse can cause some brain syndromes such as that of Wernicke–Korsakoff, in which an encephalopathy arises that can cause speech confusion, decreased coordination of movements, or even hallucinations and true psychotic conditions, conditions that cannot be resolved clinically, but are manageable with constant treatment and especially provided that the subject maintains abstinence with respect to alcohol consumption.
Another physical condition related not only to the brain but also to liver damage ishepatic encephalopathy, a disease in which the liver can no longer filter toxins but sends them to the cerebell , causing symptoms such as garbled speech and drowsiness or sudden falling asleep, typical phenomena for chronic heavy drinkers.
Other alcohol-related diseases and health conditions:
Sometimes, beyond the diseases directly caused by excessive alcohol consumption, there may be some underlying health conditions of the person that may worsen precisely because of alcohol abuse, although these may then be attributed to certain factors, including genetics, gender, and body weight, although remaining the primary responsible factor is the amount of alcohol a person gets used to drinking.
When excess alcohol accumulates, it reaches the bloodstream affecting organs and their vital activities.
