When there is excessive consumption of alcohol, the body reacts with some immediate minor effects such as loss of coordination to walk, memory failure or slowed speech, for example.
However, prolonged consumption of this type of alcohol can affect virtually all organs of the body more severely, leading from gastritis and pancreatitis to liver cirrhosis, infertility and even cancer.
The most common diseases caused by alcohol are:
1. Gastritis
One of the most common illnesses caused by alcohol is gastritis, an inflammation of the stomach wall that causes symptoms like loss of appetite, heartburn, nausea and vomiting.
How to treat: completely avoid alcohol consumption and make proper nutrition-oriented nutrition. Learn more at: Treatment for gastritis.
2. Hepatitis or cirrhosis of the liver
Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to inflammation of the liver, known as hepatitis, which causes signs like yellowish eyes and skin and swollen abdomen. When repeated episodes of hepatitis occur, hepatic cirrhosis may occur, which occurs when the liver cells are destroyed, leaving the liver to function and leading to the death of the patient.
How to treat: It is done with the abandonment of alcohol consumption and use of medicines prescribed by the doctor.
3. Impotence or infertility
Excess alcohol can lead to injury to the nerves of the body, which can lead to impotence in men. Already, in the woman the menstrual period can become irregular, being able to provoke infertility.
How to treat: Avoid drinking alcohol and consult a doctor who specializes in infertility who will guide you to specific questions. Also know the risks of alcohol use during pregnancy: Alcohol in pregnancy.
4. Infarction and thrombosis
Consumption of alcoholic beverages in excess over a long period of time can lead to cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack or thrombosis. Generally, these diseases occur due to high rates of cholesterol and triglycerides, where there is excess fat accumulated in the arteries and that impedes the normal circulation of the blood.
How to treat: Your doctor should prescribe the use of heart medicines and lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels, such as simvastatin. In addition, it is also important to perform a low-fat diet.
5. Cancer
Alcohol consumption has always been a risk factor for cancer, but new studies are confirming the direct link between consumption of alcoholic beverages and the emergence of up to 7 types of cancer, which include the pharynx, larynx, esophagus, liver, colon, rectum and breast.
How to treat: If it does arise, the cancer should be treated by an oncologist, who evaluates all personal factors and type of cancer deciding the best form of treatment, which includes chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery, for example.
6. Pelagra
Consumption of alcoholic beverages repeatedly and in high amounts can cause pellagra, a condition known as pellagra that is caused by a lack of vitamin B3 (niacin) and causes brownish skin on different parts of the body, such as the face and hands, and usually causes frequent itching and constant diarrhea.
How to treat: It is advisable to consult a dermatologist and a nutritionist to begin proper vitamin supplementation. Here's how to enrich your diet: Foods rich in vitamin B3.
7. Dementia
When the individual consumes excessive alcohol, dementia may occur, which is characterized by loss of memory, difficulty speaking and moving. Usually these are the most serious cases and the alcoholic ends up being dependent on eating, dressing and bathing.
How to treat: It is necessary that the patient is accompanied by a psychiatrist, who may prescribe medications to delay dementia like Memantina.
8. Alcoholic Anorexia
When alcoholic beverages are ingested in place of foods to avoid calorie intake and weight loss, this may be the first sign of Alcoholic Anorexia. This is a food disturbance, which can easily lead to the onset of bulimia anorexia, with the difference that in this case alcoholic beverages are used to reduce hunger.
How to treat : It is recommended to perform therapy to end dependence on alcoholic beverages and to improve eating behavior and body acceptance. Treatment should be done with a psychiatrist who helps treat the disorder and with a nutritionist who helps regain nutrition and treat nutritional deficiencies.
Alcohol consumption is not advised in patients with diseases such as fatty liver, gallbladder stone or irritable bowel syndrome, for example, however, no individual should consume alcoholic beverages on a regular basis because the consequences eventually arise and impair health.
So while it is difficult, family members and the person who frequently drinks alcohol should be able to identify the signs that alcohol is an issue and seek help from an alcoholic support institution to initiate treatment and avoid these problems .
The Alcoholics Anonymous Institute and the Private Clinics of Chemical Dependents have a very important role to play in monitoring and recovering alcoholic patients and are prepared to treat and help the individual to remake their life away from alcohol addiction, thereby reducing damage that alcoholism can bring to the alcoholic.
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