Physical Effects of Alcoholism

Alcoholism is a serious problem all over the world and the harmful physical effects of this disease are well documented and include liver disease, lung disease, compromised immune system, endocrine disorders and changes to the brain. In adolescents, particularly those who begin drinking at an early age and continue to drink heavily, harm can result to the liver, bones, endocrine system and interfere with brain growth. It is important to note that adolescents’ brains are still in the process of developing during the teenage years.

How regular or heavy drinking can affect the liver

Your liver is one of the body’s vital organs and it performs many important functions. For most people it tolerates regular light to moderate drinking. If you abuse your liver, however, with years of continuous, heavy drinking, the damage to your liver can be serious and even permanent. Alcohol’s effect on the liver If you are regularly drinking to excess you may develop a fatty liver. This may adversely affect your liver function. If you reduce your drinking, or stop altogether, however, your liver can recover. If you continue to regularly drink heavy or excessive amounts of alcohol your liver may become inflamed causing Alcoholic Hepatitis. This can result in liver failure and death. Alcoholic Hepatitis is reversible if you stop drinking alcohol. However, continued drinking may then permanently scar and damage your liver, resulting in Liver Cirrhosis. This can be treated but is not reversible, and it increases your risk of Liver Cancer. If you stop drinking alcohol at this stage you may avoid liver failure and/or Liver Cancer. Light to moderate alcohol consumption of one (1) to two (2) standard alcoholic drinks per day is not usually associated with liver damage. However, the amount of alcohol it takes to damage the liver varies greatly between individuals and women are more susceptible to liver damage than men. The key message is that the more you drink the greater your risk of liver damage. Alcohol Poisoning I recently received a phone call at 8.00 am on a Sunday morning from one of my patients experiencing withdrawals. She had been on a three day binge and she was fearful of the physical symptoms she was having. If an individual has the following symptoms, then they may have alcohol poisoning and this is a medical emergency.

• If you find your breathing loses its regular rhythm and your breathing slows down to less than eight inhalations per minute – get immediate help.
• If you continue dry retching and it does not abate – get help.
• If you feel confused and your body temperature drops – get help ASAP. By the time your skin becomes pale or turns blue, you had better start praying.

There are many resources available to the alcoholic to help him or her achieve a successful sobriety. I have seen many ladies over the years that are still sober today. They have adhered to the program they were first introduced to when they commenced counselling. They also take their supplements, including Tyrosine mood Food and L-Glutamine, to help balance their brain chemistry.   L-Glutamine supports efficient brain function and is the body’s most potent antioxidant and detoxifier. Tyrosine is necessary for the manufacture of dopamine and noradrenaline, which are required for concentration, alertness, memory and a happy, stable mood. We also recommend Magnesium Ultra Potent to help them reduce stress and assist with a deep and restful sleep without having to use drugs or alcohol. LivaTone Plus supports phase 1 and phase 2 detoxification pathways, ensuring optimum detoxification of many toxic substances and also supports liver function and metabolism.   The above statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.