Health Effects Of Heavy Alcohol Consumption

Health Effects Of

HEAVY ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION Compiled By: Chedan B. Ceriaco, RN

HEALTH PROBLEM: 1. arthritis Effects of Alcohol:  Increases the risk of inflamed joints.

BREAKIN’ THE ICE… Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Hands Rheumatoid arthritis can result in severe deformation of the hands, wrists, feet, ankles, hips, and shoulders. The characteristic swelling, pain, and restricted movement associated with this disease can be treated with anti-inflammatory drugs and physiotherapy. Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

BREAKIN’ THE ICE… Osteoarthritis Osteoarthritis is an inflammation of the joints that results when cartilage between bones deteriorates, causing the bones to rub together. A healthy hand, left, is contrasted with a hand showing osteoarthritis, right. Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

HEALTH PROBLEM: 2. cancer Effects of Alcohol:  Increases the risk of cancer of the: - Liver - Pancreas - Rectum o Increases the risk of cancer of the following, where alcohol interacts synergistically with tobacco: - Mouth - Esophagus, pharynx, and larynx

BREAKIN’ THE ICE… Sources of Dietary Fiber Vegetables, fruits, grains, and legumes constitute a rich source of dietary fiber. Composed of the indigestible cell walls of plant material, fiber acts like a scouring pad to cleanse and flush the digestive tract. Researchers claim it helps eliminate cancer-causing chemicals and may decrease the amount of cholesterol in the blood stream. Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

HEALTH PROBLEM: 3. fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)

Effects of Alcohol:  Causes physical and behavioral abnormalities in the fetus.

BREAKIN’ THE ICE… Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a set of birth defects caused by heavy consumption of alcohol during pregnancy. Children with this condition typically have a misproportioned head, facial deformities, mental retardation, and behavioral problems. FAS is the leading known cause of mental retardation in the Western Hemisphere. Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

HEALTH PROBLEM: 4. heart disease Effects of Alcohol:  In heavy drinkers, raises blood pressure, blood lipids, and the risk of stroke and heart disease; when compared with those who abstain, heart disease risk is generally lower in light-to-moderate drinkers.

BREAKIN’ THE ICE… Alcoholics tend to have high blood levels of the hormone epinephrine and deficiencies of the mineral magnesium. This combination produces severe arrhythmias, or heartbeat irregularities, a common cause of sudden death in heavy drinkers. Chronic drinkers typically develop hypertension, a leading cause of stroke. Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

HEALTH PROBLEM: 5. hyperglycemia Effects of Alcohol:  Raises blood glucose.

HEALTH PROBLEM: 6. hypoglycemia Effects of Alcohol:  Lowers blood glucose, especially in people with diabetes.

HEALTH PROBLEM: 7. infertility Effects of Alcohol:  Increases the risks of menstrual disorders and spontaneous abortions in women; suppresses luteinizing hormone in women and testosterone among men.

HEALTH PROBLEM: 8. kidney disease Effects of Alcohol:  Enlarges the kidneys, alters hormone functions, and increases the risk of kidney failure.

BREAKIN’ THE ICE… Kidney Dialysis A hospital patient whose kidneys have ceased to function receives dialysis. In this process, blood is pumped through a dialysis machine, where it is filtered to remove waste products, then returned to the patient’s body through a vein. Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

HEALTH PROBLEM: 9. liver disease Effects of Alcohol:  Causes fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, and cirrhosis.

BREAKIN’ THE ICE…

Cirrhosis of the Liver On the left are normal liver cells, and on the right are liver cells from a person with cirrhosis. Cirrhosis of the liver can be one of the complications of alcoholism. Blood from the digestive tract flows through the liver before going back to the heart. If this blood carries alcohol, it may kill liver cells as it passes through. In cirrhosis, dead and damaged liver cells are replaced by fibrous tissue, which can accumulate to form masses of scar tissue. Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

HEALTH PROBLEM: 10. malnutrition Effects of Alcohol:  Increases the risk of protein-energy malnutrition; low intake of protein, calcium, iron, vitamin A, vitamin C, thiamin, vitamin B6, and riboflavin; and impaired absorption of calcium, phosphorus, vitamin D, and zinc.

BREAKIN’ THE ICE… Thiamine deficiency in severe alcoholics (a result of malnutrition) may lead to a central nervous system condition known as Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, which can cause paralysis of the eye muscles, extreme memory loss, and dementia. Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

HEALTH PROBLEM: 11. nervous disorders Effects of Alcohol:  Causes neuropathy and dementia; impairs balance and memory.

HEALTH PROBLEM: 12. obesity Effects of Alcohol:  Increases energy intake, but is not a primary cause of obesity.

HEALTH PROBLEM: 13. psychological disturbances

Effects of Alcohol:  Causes depression, anxiety, and insomnia.

References: E. N. Whitney and S. R. Rolfes, “Health Effects of Heavy Alcohol Consumption.” Understanding Nutrition. Singapore: Thompson Learning Asia, 2002. Austin, Janet S. "Arthritis." Microsoft®Encarta® 2009 [DVD]. Redmond, WA: Microsoft Corporation, 2008. Hewitt, Brenda G., and Gordis, Enoch. "Alcoholism." Microsoft® Encarta® 2009 [DVD]. Corporation, 2008.

Redmond, WA: Microsoft

Blackman, James A. "Fetal Alcohol Syndrome." Microsoft® Encarta® 2009 [DVD]. Redmond, WA: Microsoft Corporation, 2008. Worman, Howard J. "Cirrhosis." Microsoft® Encarta® 2009 [DVD]. Redmond, WA: Microsoft Corporation, 2008. Peterson, Karen R. "Cancer (medicine)." Microsoft® Encarta® 2009 [DVD]. Redmond, WA: Microsoft Corporation, 2008. "Kidney." Microsoft® Encarta® 2009 [DVD]. Redmond, WA: Microsoft Corporation, 2008.