Drinking alcoholic beverages can be equated with a national tradition. They find themselves on the table on both holidays and days of mourning, spending their free time with them and relaxing without thinking about the harmful effects of alcohol on the body and its destructive effects on health.
Ethyl alcohol is toxic to humans. Depending on the individual predisposition, even small doses can cause severe organ dysfunction, change behavior and disrupt general well-being. Inadequate action and systemic alcohol consumption often lead to the development of an addiction, which requires considerable physical, moral and financial effort to combat.
Clinical specialists know the dangers of alcohol firsthand, on the basis of which patients receive competent and high-quality care in order to eliminate the consequences of alcohol abuse. Doctors from clinics will help cope with the symptoms of a hangover, move away from heavy drinking, relieve poisoning, and also choose a treatment and rehabilitation course. Drug treatment takes place at home, on an outpatient basis or in the hospital.
Developmental stages of alcoholism
Alcoholism is a disease that marks the presence of importance and cravings for alcohol. It develops gradually and goes through several stages.
1st stage
The first stage of the development of the disease is characterized by the appearance of a stable craving for alcoholic beverages. The desire to drink occurs in stressful and emotionally intense situations, regardless of their nature (pleasure or discomfort).
Level 2
The frequency of alcohol consumption is steadily increasing, the amount and strength of the drinks consumed increases. Gradually, a person loses control of the situation, as well as the ability to critically assess their behavior and actions.
level 3
The body gets used to drinking alcohol, which manifests itself in the weakening of the ability to withstand its destructive influence. Even a small dose of alcohol provokes intoxication, and continued use does not change the nature of the disease.
The consequences of alcohol consumption
Ethanol is a chemical that has a psychoactive effect and can cause overexcitation of the central nervous system. Depending on the dose and individual reactions of the body, drinking can induce a state of relaxation or uncontrollable outbursts of anger, lead to a slight loss of coordination or threaten unconsciousness and epileptic seizures. In clinics, doctors observe various consequences of alcohol consumption and choose an appropriate type of assistance in each case.
The effect of alcohol on the brain
Under the influence of ethanol, various pathological processes occur in the body, including the adhesion of erythrocytes. The plaques that form enter the circulatory system and begin to circulate in the bloodstream. When they pass through the thin vessels of the brain, they can cause a blockage that stops the blood supply. As a result, the brain suffers from a lack of oxygen, which leads to the death of cells. Physically, this condition manifests as a headache during a hangover, as well as memory lapses.
Regular repetition of the disease increases the level of stress, which leads to irreversible changes in brain tissue. As a result, over time, a person can face diseases such as dementia and atherosclerosis.
The effect of alcohol on the nervous system
The central nervous system is exposed to the action of the standard. As a result of the forced relaxation, the sensitivity of the nerve fibers decreases, which leads to the reduction of overvoltages. But it is precisely this condition that becomes a trap. In anticipation of a comfortable feeling, a person begins to drink alcohol regularly, which teaches the nervous system to relax. Without them, the tension will progress and cause serious stress on the body:
- the time of worrying about stress and problems increases;
- internal fear and anxiety increase;
- Stress does not subside, leading to mental and physical changes in condition.
The effect of alcohol on the liver
Like all other poisons and toxins, ethanol negatively affects liver tissues and cells. Once ethyl alcohol enters the body, the liver starts producing an enzyme (alcohol dehydrogenase) that can process and neutralize it. High stress leads to the death of healthy liver cells and their replacement by adipose and connective tissue. If the process is not stopped, the consequences are very dire:
- liver failure develops: the organ does not do its job;
- the load on the digestive tract increases, the activity of the gallbladder decreases;
- there is an enlargement of the liver, which provokes a shift in the position of organs, an increase in the load on the vascular system, an increase in the risk of thrombus formation;
- As a result of liver depletion, the process of utilizing sodium compounds is delayed, which leads to an increased formation of stones in the bile ducts and the bladder.
The effect of alcohol on the gastrointestinal tract
Alcohol consumption is harmful to your gastrointestinal health. The mucous membrane of the esophagus and gastrointestinal tract is in direct contact with alcohol, which significantly increases the risks:
- the development of gastric ulcer and inflammatory processes;
- Changes in the acidity of gastric juice that cause pain and digestive problems;
- the development of reflux, which leads to the appearance of heartburn, burns of the mucous membrane and the development of other chronic diseases.
The harm of alcohol to women
The female body turns out to be particularly vulnerable, the harmful effect of alcohol on it is more pronounced and stronger in comparison with the effect on the man. Even a small dose of alcohol can cause poisoning. Regular consumption of alcoholic beverages provokes rapid destructive effects.
The endocrine system suffers the most. Drinking alcohol becomes a very stressful factor for them. The load causes disturbances in the work of the endocrine glands, suppresses the work of the ovaries and adrenal glands, the production of female sex hormones is noticeably reduced, on the contrary, the synthesis of testosterone increases. As a result, the systematic consumption of alcoholic beverages provokes the appearance of male characteristics:
- the timbre of the voice changes: the sound becomes hoarse and rougher;
- Coordination of changes in movement;
- Grace and attractiveness are lost;
- stoop appears;
- Weight gains.
Alcoholism changes a woman's appearance. The intoxication and hangover cause facial swelling, redness and puffiness to appear. The skin of the face takes on an unhealthy, earthy color, the vascular network becomes noticeable, the white of the eyes turns red and then darkens. Dark circles appear under the eyes as well. Fat deposits form in the abdomen. Excessive hair growth is noticeable.
Alcohol consumption has a negative effect on the condition of blood vessels and veins. Their walls lose elasticity, which is manifested in cyanotic, vascular networks, heaviness in the limbs, pain in the legs.
Alcoholism provokes the appearance of metabolic disorders. The body loses its ability to completely absorb nutrients while actively losing vitamins and minerals. In this regard, the manifestations of vitamin deficiency are aggravated, the skin and hair become dull. Fatigue occurs, endurance disappears, activity is lost.
Drinking regularly puts a strain on the reproductive system. Alcohol leads to dysfunction of the ovaries, which leads to the failure to ovulate and to difficulties in the occurrence of pregnancy. If conception occurs against the background of systematic drinking, then the risks to the fetus increase significantly. As a result, a child can be born with severe pathologies and developmental disorders.
Without qualified help, it is more difficult for women to cope with addiction and stop the destruction of the body. In this context, contacting the clinic is of particular importance. A subsequent restorative therapy helps to manage unhealthy cravings for alcohol. The program for the treatment of female alcoholism is created taking into account the specific nuances of the course of the disease, which increases its effectiveness in the fight against the disease.
The harm of alcohol to men
Regular alcohol abuse is harmful to the male body. Poisons destroy organs and systems, chronic diseases worsen, character changes and health deteriorates.
Against the background of drunkenness, the level of male hormones decreases, which leads to external changes: fat is deposited on the chest and hips, muscle weakness occurs, bags under the eyes become noticeable.
Alcohol is especially bad for the reproductive system. Under the influence of toxins, the hormonal background changes, sexual stamina decreases, libido decreases, signs of impotence appear.
Drinking also provokes a problem such as a decrease in testicles. This significantly reduces the production and quality of the semen. Conception becomes a problem. But even in the case of pregnancy, the risk of developing abnormalities in the fetus increases significantly.
Given the severity of the consequences of alcoholism, treatment in the clinic takes an integrated approach to the problem. It aims at the same time to fight alcohol addiction and restore the body.
The harm of alcohol to teenagers
Drinking alcohol during puberty is prohibited. But these prohibitions are often violated due to youth protests and the desire to grow up. Alcohol consumption at a young age is particularly dangerous. The body is in the stage of formation and formation, and the toxic effect of alcohol interferes with this process. The harm from alcohol in adolescence is particularly noticeable:
- addiction develops quickly: even small doses are enough for its emergence;
- Symptoms of intoxication develop quickly and are manifested with special brightness;
- the psyche does not cope with the burden, which manifests itself in aggression, anger, irritation and inadequate reactions;
- the memory declines, the ability to concentrate deteriorates, the adolescent cannot cope with his studies, falls behind and deteriorates.
Treating adolescents and choosing the right strategy for therapeutic intervention requires taking into account the characteristics of their physical and psychological development and condition. Clinics have developed special treatment methods for a particularly vulnerable group of patients, the use of which leads to good results.
Harmless doses of alcohol
The variety of alcoholic beverages and their availability create the impression that they are safe and harmless to drink. However, the opinion of scientists on this matter remains categorical - alcohol in any dosage is harmful to health. Depending on the level of consumption, this damage can be minimal or critical. It has been proven that regular consumption of alcohol can cause illness and worsen existing ailments.
Thinking critically and understanding the severity of the problem is required in any situation, including when it comes to alcohol consumption. Much depends on personal preferences, attitudes and guidelines as well as health. It is easier for someone to completely exclude alcohol, someone to admit the possibility of its regular consumption.
Scientific research suggests that the risk of addiction formation is minimal if the daily dose of ethanol does not exceed 12/24 grams (the norm for women and men). That is, women can safely drink a glass of wine or a glass of beer a day, a man's body can handle a couple of glasses of wine or 0. 6 liters of beer. However, you shouldn't take these numbers as a direct guide to action. Daily drinking is not conducive and can create a basis for the development of addictions that eventually require treatment.