Alcohol, effects and consequences of alcoholism
When we drink alcohol, it enters the esophagus, goes down the digestive tract, and reaches the stomach where the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase and other substances oxidize it to acetaldehyde.
Before leaving the stomach, about 20% of the alcohol has already entered the bloodstream, and the rest is then absorbed as it passes through the small intestine.
At this point, the blood carries the alcohol to the brain, where it stimulates neuronal activity to release dopamine.
As the liver metabolizes the ingested alcohol, it generates the residual products carbon dioxide and water from the acetate. It is then collected by the kidneys, filtered, and then sent to the bladder where it is expelled as urine.
Approximately 95% of the ingested alcohol is processed in this way, while the rest is eliminated by perspiration and exhalation.
Prolonged alcohol consumption gradually deteriorates brain functions, affecting thinking and reasoning ability, leading to increasing emotional instability.
Neurotransmitter function undergoes serious alterations, those associated with the hedonistic system and the peripheral nervous system.
The chronic decrease in vitamin B1 present in the body can cause Wernicke-Korsakoff disease, where reality is altered due to damage to the memory and thoughts of the individual.
In general, the irreversible brain damage that alcohol consumption can produce are causing deterioration, among other things, of:
- Vision, memory and thought, and results in increased irritability, Antisocial tendencies, depression, anxiety, sleep disorder, amnesia, and hallucinations.
- Eventually you can experience delirium tremens, psychosis, prolonged coma, or death.
- Long-term liver damage is devastating, as the liver is the body responsible for metabolizing alcohol. Metabolization itself damages liver proteins, oxidizes fats and causes physical damage to the organ tissue. This degenerates into alcoholic hepatitis and later liver cirrhosis, that is, the practical death of the liver.
- Jaundice, sclera, and edema are signs of this progressive liver degeneration.
- The well-known type II diabetes is also observed.
- Alcohol consumption also exposes to different types of cancer, cancer of the larynx, esophagus, stomach and pancreas.
Increasing inflammation can occur in the pancreas resulting in acute pancreatitis and can become chronic. It is very painful and can also be fatal.
Reconnect we can help you , if you have a problem with your way of drinking or think you have it, do not hesitate to call us, the consultation is completely confidential and free.
