The Long-Term Effects Of Heavy Drinking

Alcohol is a type of central nervous system depressant that can negatively affect every organ in the human body. Shortly after consuming alcohol, it is absorbed into the drinker's bloodstream, where it then travels all throughout the body. Heavy, long-term drinking can lead to a broad range of severe health issues, many of which may be quite surprising. In fact, excessive consumption of alcohol is linked to more than sixty different health issues today. For some of these issues, alcohol is the primary cause of the conditions, but for others, it is one of several other factors that can lead to the conditions.

Start reading now to learn about some of the major effects of heavy drinking now.

Depression

According to an article published by the Addiction Center of the Beach House Center for Recovery in Florida, depression and heavy drinking are closely related. Many individuals who are suffering from emotional disorders turn to alcohol to escape their troubles. And while alcohol may seem to provide some relief, it is only temporary. In reality, since alcohol is a depressant, emotional disorders can worsen over time if heavy drinking continues. Furthermore, since drinking often causes problems with employers and family members, this additional stress can increase such symptoms of depression as hopelessness, withdrawal, low self-esteem, and suicidal thoughts and tendencies.

Keep going for more effects of long-term, heavy drinking.

Stroke

As recent research indicates, individuals who drink heavily have a higher risk of stroke than persons who do not drink. While it is not currently clear as to the exact reasons heavy drinkers are more at risk for strokes, it has been determined individuals who drink heavily tend to smoke tobacco, fall more frequently than nondrinkers, develop blood irregularities, and have various liver problems, all of which can increase the risk for this serious health issue. Thus, it is believed that although heavy drinking may not directly cause this issue, the lifestyle habits of heavy drinkers are likely more associated with increased risk.

Continue reading to learn about the effects on memory now.

Dementia And Memory Loss

Heavy drinking over long periods can lead to a condition known as alcoholic dementia, which is most often associated with memory loss. And as a result, patients experiencing advanced dementia or memory loss typically lose their cognitive and learning skills. The reason behind this is because alcohol has a detrimental effect on brain cells resulting in temporary difficulty making decisions and poor judgment. Over time, as more and more brain cells are damaged, these temporary issues become permanent. Nutritional deficiencies, which are quite common in heavy drinkers, can also lead to brain cell damage resulting in dementia and memory loss.

Continue to learn more about the effects of drinking on the liver.

Fatty Liver Disease

Fatty liver disease, medically known as hepatic steatosis, is a condition that can develop when excessive fat accumulates in the liver. Although it is normal for individuals to have small amounts of fat in their liver, large amounts can lead to serious health issues. While several things can lead to fatty liver disease, the most common cause is heavy drinking. Excessive drinking damages the liver, and as a result, the liver is unable to break up fat cells. If this occurs and heavy drinking continues, inflammatory alcoholic steatohepatitis often develops, which can lead to life-threatening cirrhosis of the liver.

Continue reading to learn about what serious condition heavy drinking is often linked to and how it increases an individual's risk.

Cancer

Heavy drinking is linked to many types of cancer including those associated with the throat, mouth, liver, esophagus, breast, pancreas, colon, and stomach. Furthermore, research indicates the more individuals drink, the higher their risk. There are many reasons for this, and one reason is because alcohol irritates various cells in the body, especially those found in the mouth, throat, and stomach. When these cells try to repair themselves, DNA changes can lead to cancer. This concept also holds true for liver cells that try to repair themselves. However, this is just one reason why heavy drinking can lead to this fatal health issue. Chemicals in the body also often react negatively to alcohol resulting in abnormal cell activity.