Everyone knows about the harmful effects of ethanol on the human body. With the systematic abuse of alcohol, the patient often develops diseases from alcohol. In the early stages, they can occur without severe symptoms. Often, diseases of alcoholic etiology make themselves felt only when irreversible changes have already occurred in the body. What pathologies can occur against the background of alcohol consumption? And how to recognize them? We will answer these questions in the article.
The effect of alcohol on the body
Large doses of ethanol are poison to the body. The systematic use of alcohol leads to serious malfunctions in almost all organs. The decay products of ethyl alcohol also cause great harm to he alth. They are what cause headaches and nausea during a hangover.
First of all, alcohol adversely affects the condition of the following organs andsystems:
- liver;
- pancreas;
- esophagus;
- stomach;
- heart and vessels;
- peripheral nerves;
- kidney;
- brain;
- reproductive organs;
- immune system.
Next, we will take a closer look at the harmful effects of ethanol on organs and the possible consequences of alcoholism.
Liver
Ethanol is neutralized and recycled in the liver cells. However, if a person has drunk a large amount of alcoholic beverages, then the body cannot cope with the increased load. This leads to a severe disorder of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. In addition, ethanol has a detrimental effect on liver cells (hepatocytes).
When alcohol is abused, the liver parenchyma is gradually replaced by connective and adipose tissue. In this case, doctors diagnose cirrhosis of the liver. Often this disease is preceded by an inflammatory process in the organ (alcoholic hepatitis).
According to ICD-10, cirrhosis of the liver is divided into several groups depending on the etiology. This disease occurs not only in alcoholics. The cause of dystrophic changes in the liver can be viral hepatitis, violations of the outflow of bile, as well as autoimmune processes. However, in 50 - 70% of cases, this pathology occurs due to alcohol abuse. The full code for alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver according to ICD-10 is K70.3.
Many patients mistakenly believe that cirrhosis develops only with the frequent use of strong drinks. However, this is not the case. It is not uncommon for liver damage to occur in peopleabusing beer or low-alcohol cocktails.
This is the most dangerous disease from alcohol. At an early stage, cirrhosis occurs without severe symptoms, so it is very difficult to identify the pathology in time. The first signs of the disease appear only 5-6 years after the onset of dystrophic changes. Patients complain of the following symptoms:
- constant feeling of tiredness;
- nausea;
- loss of appetite;
- strong weight loss;
- bloating (due to fluid accumulation);
- palpitations;
- high blood pressure.
When probing, a strong enlargement of the liver is determined. At this stage, it is no longer possible to restore damaged tissues. Pathological changes in the body are irreversible. One can only try to stop the dystrophy of the liver. But treatment will only be effective if alcohol is completely avoided.
Prognosis of the disease depends on the degree of tissue damage. If pathological changes affect most of the organ, then in about half of the cases a fatal outcome is noted. Liver transplantation can save the patient, but such an operation is possible only with a complete rejection of alcohol.
Pancreas
Ethanol irritates the mucous membrane of the digestive tract. This causes the pancreas to produce more digestive enzymes. Excess of these substances is very harmful. Enzymes begin to digest the tissues of the gland, which leads to the following pathologicalbody changes:
- Acute pancreatitis of alcoholic etiology. This disease occurs when a massive effect of enzymes on the pancreas. It is accompanied by inflammation and rapid death of body cells. At a late stage of the disease, purulent abscesses form in the gland. Pathology is characterized by a rapid course. Without treatment, the patient dies within a few days. But even with timely therapy, death is observed in 70% of cases. It is important to remember that pancreatic necrosis develops not only in chronic alcoholics. Even a single intake of a large amount of alcoholic beverages can lead to the death of gland cells.
- Chronic pancreatitis. If even small doses of ethanol are constantly entering the body, this can cause chronic inflammation of the pancreas. In this case, enzymes destroy the tissues of the organ gradually. The patient periodically experiences girdle pain in the abdomen, which is not stopped by analgesics and antispasmodics. The attack is preceded by the use of alcohol or spicy food. There is often vomiting that does not bring relief.
Alimentary tract
When you swallow strong drinks, ethanol burns the lining of the esophagus. With the systematic use of alcohol, an ulcer forms on the wall of the organ. In the region of the esophagus there are a large number of small and large vessels. When the ulcer is perforated, severe bleeding from the organ may open. Without emergency medical attention, this leads to the death of the patient.
Alcohol irritates the walls of the stomach. This stimulates the production of hydrochloric acid. In this case, ethanol very quickly leaves the stomach and goes into the intestines. Excess acid aggressively affects the mucous membrane. Under normal conditions, mucus is produced in the stomach, which protects its walls. However, alcohol reduces the secretion of this substance. Over time, gastritis or stomach ulcers develop. The risk of such pathologies increases if the patient consumes alcohol with a small amount of food.
Heart and blood vessels
Cardiologists often warn patients about the extremely negative effect of alcohol on the human cardiovascular system. Ethanol causes agglutination of blood cells (platelets and erythrocytes), which subsequently leads to blockage of blood vessels by blood clots. This disrupts the nutrition of various organs and leads to hypoxia, which primarily affects the brain.
In addition, ethanol acts on the heart muscle as a potent poison. It causes degenerative changes in myocardial tissues. Muscle cells gradually die. This significantly impairs the contractility of the heart and can lead to the following pathologies:
- Myocardial infarction. Alcoholics have increased blood viscosity. This leads to deterioration of the patency of the coronary vessels. As a result, the blood supply to the heart is severely disrupted in patients. Necrotic changes occur in the myocardium. Doctors call this dangerous condition a heart attack. Typically, a heart attack is preceded by intermittent chest pain that occurs due to a violationmyocardial nutrition.
- Cardiomyopathy. Alcohol impairs the absorption of B vitamins. These substances are necessary for the normal functioning of the heart muscle. Due to vitamin deficiency, myocardial fibers weaken and lose their contractility. Such a disease can develop after years of alcohol abuse.
- Atrial fibrillation. This is a severe disorder of the heart rhythm, which is accompanied by chaotic contractions of the heart muscle. Over time, this pathology can lead to blockage of the coronary vessels and a heart attack. Emergency doctors note that most attacks of atrial fibrillation occur in patients after taking a large dose of alcohol.
The negative effect of alcohol on the human cardiovascular system is also manifested in the fact that ethanol first expands and then sharply narrows the lumen of blood vessels. Such a sudden spasm can lead to a jump in blood pressure. If alcohol intake occurs regularly, then the patient develops chronic hypertension. As a rule, alcoholics have poor vascular conditions, so high blood pressure can provoke cerebral ischemia and stroke.
Peripheral nerves
Alcoholic neuropathy occurs in 70% of people suffering from chronic alcoholism. The cause of the pathology is the defeat of the peripheral nerves of the lower extremities. It occurs due to impaired absorption of B vitamins and the toxic effects of ethanol on nerve fibers.
More doctors use the term "alcoholicpolyneuropathy of the lower extremities". After all, with this pathology, not one nerve is affected, but several at once. The disease is accompanied by the destruction of the structure of the nervous tissue and the deterioration of signal transmission from motor neurons to the skin and muscles.
At an early stage, alcoholic neuropathy may not manifest itself. Then there are burning pains in the legs of a shooting character. Patients also complain of other discomfort in the lower extremities: tingling, itching, "goosebumps".
In the future, the pain syndrome disappears, the legs become numb and lose sensitivity. This indicates the complete destruction of nerve fibers. The patient's gait becomes uncertain, patients feel heaviness in the legs.
Without treatment, alcoholic polyneuropathy of the lower extremities is steadily progressing. Leg muscles weaken and atrophy, ulcers appear on the skin. Tendon reflexes completely disappear.
This disease is successfully treated only with a short history of alcohol abuse. Complete refusal of alcohol and vitamin therapy help to significantly improve the patient's condition. In advanced cases, the patient completely loses the ability to move independently, which leads to deep disability.
Psyche
Mental illness from alcohol occurs quite often. After all, ethanol has a toxic effect on the brain. Regular intake of alcoholic beverages leads to the death of neurons. In addition, ethanol disrupts the blood supply to the brain and causes hypoxia. All this leads toserious changes in a person's personality, and then to mental disorders.
Everyone knows that a person who systematically abuses alcohol dramatically changes his character and deteriorates mental abilities. Doctors call this condition alcohol degradation of the personality. Psychopathology is caused by organic changes in the brain caused by constant exposure to ethanol on neurons.
Doctors-narcologists distinguish the following symptoms of alcoholic degradation of the personality:
- loss of interest in previous activities;
- loss of moral and ethical criteria;
- deceit;
- egocentrism;
- lack of criticism of one's condition;
- arrogance;
- aggressiveness;
- mood swings;
- constant excuse for drinking;
- untidiness;
- deterioration of memory and thinking.
Degradation usually develops with systematic alcohol abuse over many years.
If the patient continues to drink, then organic changes in the brain and mental disorders progress. Against the background of a deficiency of B vitamins and the death of neurons, alcoholic dementia (dementia) develops.
The first sign of developing dementia are pronounced memory disorders. The patient remembers old events well, but forgets everything that happened yesterday. Such a deviation occurs more often in alcoholics over the age of 50 - 55.
Dementia progresses steadily and the patient subsequently develops the following symptomsalcoholic dementia:
- lack of will;
- periodic amnesia (memory lapses);
- pathologically withdrawn;
- inability to perceive and assimilate information;
- disorientation in time and space;
- disorders of coordination of movements;
- slurred speech;
- trembling limbs.
Suspension of changes in the brain is possible only in the early stages of dementia. If the patient has already lost a large number of neurons, then dementia becomes irreversible.
Delirium disorders and alcoholic psychoses in alcoholism usually occur in the second stage of the disease, when the patient has already formed a physical dependence on ethanol. Refusal of alcohol leads to the appearance of withdrawal (hangover) syndrome. This unpleasant condition is accompanied by trembling of the limbs, dry mouth, headache and nausea, and general weakness. It disappears only after taking another dose of alcohol.
Against the background of withdrawal symptoms, patients develop alcoholic psychoses. This is preceded by drinking alcohol for several days. Before the onset of acute psychotic disorders, insomnia, depressed mood with guilt, increased anxiety and suspicion are noted. Then the patient has visual and auditory hallucinations of an unpleasant and frightening nature. Such patients need emergency psychiatric care and placement in a hospital. In a state of psychosis, the patient can be dangerous to others.
Organs of excretion
Kidneys process toxic substances that enter the body. But when a person takes an excessive amount of ethanol, the excretory organs do not cope with their work. The kidneys are not able to neutralize a large amount of toxins. In addition, the breakdown products of ethanol irritate organ tissues.
Over time, the patient develops kidney dystrophy (nephrosis). The normal tissue of the organ is replaced by fatty inclusions. This leads to a violation of the water-s alt balance, the appearance of edema on the face and limbs, urinary disorders. In advanced cases, kidney failure develops.
Reproductive function
The effect of alcohol on the female body is much stronger than on the male. Dependence on alcohol in patients often develops against the background of depressive and neurotic disorders. In women, withdrawal symptoms are much more severe, and alcoholism progresses faster than in men. Severe degradation of personality can occur after 2-3 years of systematic drinking.
In addition, ethanol has a negative effect on the female reproductive system. Alcohol increases the level of estrogen in the body. This leads to hormonal disruptions and menstrual disorders. Subsequently, endocrine disorders can provoke infertility.
It is important to remember that a certain reserve of eggs is given to a woman from birth. During life, their supply is not replenished and is not updated. Ethanol has a toxic effect on antral follicles, of whichlater the eggs mature. If the damaged cell is involved in the process of fertilization, then this can lead to the birth of a child with chromosomal abnormalities.
Alcohol has a negative impact on the reproductive function of men. The quality of the seminal fluid deteriorates, the number of pathologically altered and immobile spermatozoa increases. All this can provoke male infertility. In addition, toxic damage to spermatozoa often causes the birth of a sick child.
Immune system
The consequence of alcohol abuse can be a significant weakening of the immune system. Ethanol inhibits the production of proteins (globulins) that protect the body from infections. The normal functioning of the immune system is restored only 2-3 days after drinking alcohol. If a person systematically consumes alcohol, then his production of immunoglobulins is constantly reduced.
For this reason, people who drink become very susceptible to various infections. They often become infected with viruses and bacteria, resulting in the following diseases:
- flu;
- pneumonia;
- tuberculosis;
- gastrointestinal infections;
- hepatitis.
Infectious pathologies in alcoholics are severe and often give complications.
In addition, with frequent use of alcohol, opportunistic pathogens are often activated. These microorganisms are present in every person, but they cause pathological manifestations only with a decrease in immunity. Systematically drinking people often suffer from candidiasis, staphylococcal inflammation, papillomatosis.
Conclusion
We have given only the most common diseases from alcohol. The full list of pathologies provoked by excessive alcohol consumption is quite extensive. It can be concluded that ethanol has a toxic effect on many organs and systems of the body. The only way to prevent the development of dangerous diseases is to avoid alcohol.
However, it is very difficult for a person with an already formed alcohol addiction to stop drinking on their own. In this case, you should consult a narcologist. Nowadays, there are many methods of getting rid of alcoholism, which are quite effective.
