Shocking Reasons Alcohol May Be The Deadliest Addiction Of All

Alcohol Messes With The Pancreas

Many do not consider the effects that alcohol has on the pancreas, although it is a vital organ in the body. It produces two critical substances for the body to function efficiently: digestive juices the intestines use to break down food eaten, and hormones involved in digestion, such as insulin, which many individuals know is responsible for regulating blood sugar.

Excessive alcohol consumption often results in the pancreas producing toxic substances, which can lead to pancreatitis, a condition in which the pancreas becomes inflamed. Acute pancreatitis often comes on quickly but thankfully goes away within a couple of days. However, chronic pancreatitis means the inflammation is recurring and results in the pancreas stopping its function and causing irreversible damage. Symptoms of acute pancreatitis include abdominal pain (behind the ribs and spreading around the back), nausea, vomiting, as well as a high fever. Symptoms of chronic pancreatitis include recurring pain behind the ribs and in the back, jaundice (yellow tinge to skin and eyes), and unexplained weight loss. Most cases of chronic pancreatitis are due to long-term heavy drinking.

Continue for more details on the effects excessive alcohol has on the body.