It's not just the liver that's a concern when it comes to too much alcohol

The liver is not the only organ that is affected by imbibing too much alcohol. — 123rf.com

You explained what alcoholism is previously. But why is it so dangerous, other than causing drunk driving?

Let us talk about safety first, as it is extremely important.

After you have drunk too much alcohol, your judgement skills will be reduced and your inhibitions lowered.

This can lead to you making poor decisions, judgements and choices.

Some of these choices can also put you into dangerous situations or make you behave in a dangerous manner.

For example, I’m sure we have all read about people who died from drunk driving; perhaps we even know such a person personally.

After a night out with friends or clients, this person would insist on driving home, rather than using e-hailing services or calling a taxi – perhaps because they do not want to leave their car overnight at the venue.

They think they can handle their drink.

The next day, you hear that they were involved in an accident, sometimes fatal.

But motor vehicular accidents are not the only accidents you can be involved in after being drunk.

What other types of accidents are there?

It will depend on what sort of behaviour you are going to indulge in right after drinking.

Many people have been known to trip and drown in swimming pools after an alcohol binge.

Some people who go back to work after drinking and try to operate heavy machinery, end up getting injured, or even worse, lose a limb or more.

Some people are dared to perform a stunt or crime after drinking, by other drunk so-called friends.

This can involve walking on a dangerous ledge or jumping off a building, for example.

Some people are also dared to commit crimes, like robbing a store.

An accidental pregnancy might also result after a night of drunk, unprotected sex.

And date rape is a very real risk if a woman passes out from too much alcohol consumption without trustworthy people around her.

Some people may even commit suicide if the alcohol brings out depressive thoughts and tendencies.

Will my work performance be impaired if I am an alcoholic?

Very likely.

Not only can you have poor work performance, but it can also impair your relationships with family and friends, and give rise to all sorts of financial problems, just like any other addiction.

Similarly, if you are still studying, your grades can go downhill as well.

A cautionary note about drunk driving that was part of a campaign against the act. — Filepic

Are any diseases caused by too much alcohol consumption? My friends say their livers metabolise alcohol well, so I need not worry about them.

I think your friends need to get better informed.

This is the list of diseases that heavy alcohol consumption can cause, and it is not just limited to liver problems.

> Liver disease

This goes without saying.

Excessive alcohol drinking can increase the fat in your liver – this is called hepatic steatosis.

It can also inflame your liver – this is called alcoholic hepatitis.

If you do not stop binge-drinking while you can, heavy drinking can cause irreversible scarring and destruction of your liver tissue.

This is known as alcoholic cirrhosis.

Once you progress to this stage, there is no reversing the damage and you might end up needing a liver transplant.

> Heart disease

If you are not worried about your liver, maybe you will be worried about your heart.

Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to high blood pressure (hypertension), which then increases your risk of everything else associated with hypertension, such as an enlarged heart, heart failure or stroke.

Even one alcoholic binge can cause atrial fibrillation.

> Gastrointestinal problems

Alcohol is toxic to the stomach lining and can cause gastritis, as well as stomach ulcers and pancreatitis.

It can also interfere with your gut’s absorption of B vitamins and other nutrients.

> Glucose metabolism

Alcohol interferes with glucose release from your liver and can give you low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia).

I have heard that alcohol can give rise to erectile dysfunction. Is this true? And does it affect women in a similar manner?

Yes, definitely in men.

Women are also affected by having their menstrual cycles disrupted.

If you drink alcohol when you are pregnant, this can lead to a miscarriage or cause your foetus to develop birth defects that are both physical and intellectual.

These defects are known as foetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs), and are the most unfair of all because your baby did absolutely nothing to deserve this.

Please note that drinking can also lead to bone damage, such as osteoporosis, as well as bone marrow damage, which results in a low platelet count and causes you to bruise and bleed easily.

It can also cause numbness and pain in your hands and feet, and affect your brain, leading to dementia.

Can alcoholism give rise to cancer?

Yes.

Long-term alcohol consumption weakens your immune system and increases your risk of contracting various illnesses, especially pneumonia.

But your weakened immune system can also lead to a higher risk of many types of cancer, including liver, mouth, throat, oesophageal, colon and breast cancers.

Even moderate drinking can increase the risk of breast cancer.

Dr YLM graduated as a medical doctor, and has been writing for many years on various subjects such as medicine, health, computers and entertainment. For further information, email [e-mail]. The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only, and it should not be construed as personal medical advice. Neither The Star nor the author gives any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to such information. The Star and the author disclaim all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.