Text 3 Alcohol and our health

Dependence on alcohol and other drugs is associated with several mental health problems, such as:

• depression

• anxiety

• oppositional defiant disorder (OOD)

• antisocial personality disorder

Alcohol use among adolescents has also been associated with completing

suicide.

It is known that alcohol can cause hard diseases:

• Liver Disease Since 80% of the alcohol drunk passes through the liver. In the United States approximately 10% to 35% of heavy drinkers develop alcoholic hepatitis while 10% to 20% develop cirrhosis.

Liver cirrhosis

• Diseases of digestive system

Gastritis (stomach inflammation) is common among heavy drinkers as are inflammation and irritation of the esophagus, pancreas (pancreatitis), and small intestine. Serious disorders including ulcers, stomach hemorrhage, and gastrointestinal bleeding are also linked to heavy drinking.

• Cardiovascular diseases

Chronic heavy drinking is related to a variety of heart diseases including hypertension (high blood pressure) and cardiac arrhythmias (abnormal irregular heart rhythms).

Heavy drinking increases the risk of stroke and other intracranial bleeding within 24 hours of a drinking binge.

• Diseases of nervous system

Alcohol limits the brain’s ability to use glucose and oxygen. It kills brain cells. Brain atrophy (loss of brain tissue) has been documented in 50% to 100% of alcoholics. Faulty memory, disorientation and diminished problem-solving ability) is a further consequence of prolonged heavy drinking.

One of the more serious diseases due to brain damage caused by chronic alcoholism

is encephalopathy whose symptoms include delirium, visual problems, imbalance and

muscle tremors.

Hippocrates wrote about the association between alcohol and epilepsy more than 2,000

years ago.

• Diseases of reproductive system

Female. Prolonged use of alcohol decreases desire and the intensity of orgasm. Chronic alcohol abuse can inhibit ovulation, delay menstruation and cause sexual dysfunction.

Male. Chronic use causes a decrease in testosterone (male hormone) levels. Decreased testosterone causes an increase in estrogen (a female hormone) that can lead to male breast enlargement, testicular atrophy, low sperm count, loss of body hair and loss of sexual desire.

• Cancer

The most common and effective way for an individual to combat his or her addictive

behaviors is through a self-help support group with advice and support from a health

care professional. Treatment should also involve family members because family history

often plays a role in the origins of the problem and successful treatment cannot take

place in isolation.

http://infertility.about.com, www.alcoholicsanonumous.com, www.faceproject.org,

www.theathlete.org (adapted by Dzyuba T.V.)

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