Damage to Pancreas
Alcohol misuse may result in the development of acute and chronic pancreatitis. The pancreas is a gland that produces digestive enzymes and the hormones insulin and glucagon which regulate blood sugar levels. Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas. Some individuals may develop this condition with alcohol intakes as low as 1 to 20g/day (less than 2 units), where others need to drink much more before the disease develops.
Liver Damage
Men drinking more than 7.5 units of alcohol a day and women drinking more than 5 units are at increased risk of developing alcohol-related liver disease.
Alcohol produces a spectrum of liver damage. The majority of individuals abusing alcohol will develop fatty change in their liver. This in itself is not harmful and quickly reverses when alcohol is withdrawn; however it is an indication of liver damage. Some individuals go on to develop alcoholic hepatitis and may exhibit symptoms such as jaundice, fluid retention and an enlarged liver. The mortality rates in individuals presenting with severe alcoholic hepatitis may be as high as 40%. A minority of individuals abusing alcohol will develop cirrhosis. As a result of continuous damage, scar tissue builds up on the liver preventing it from functioning normally. Symptoms of liver failure can include jaundice, fluid retention, blood clotting abnormalities resulting in bruising and bleeding, decreased brain activity, personality changes, coma and death.
Damage to Cardiovascular System
Alcohol consumption is associated with raised blood pressure which increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. Acute alcohol misuse possibly increases the risk of strokes overall, whereas chronic alcohol misuse more especially increases the risk of haemorrhagic stroke. Some evidence suggests that drinking a small amount of alcohol offers some protection against coronary heart disease (CHD) for men over 35 and post-menopausal women. However, any ‘protective benefit’ provided by alcohol against developing CHD will be outweighed by an increased risk of health harm if an individual drinks more than 2 units a day.
Damage to Nervous System
Problem drinking can cause damage to the central and peripheral nervous system and is associated with a number of brain disorders, including alcoholic dementia, Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, and cerebellar degeneration. These conditions occur in individuals with a history of alcohol abuse.
Risk of Cancer
There is a significant association between alcohol misuse and the development of the cancer of the mouth, pharynx, larynx and oesophagus. Alcohol, if taken regularly, even in moderate amounts, is a well-established risk factor for the development of breast cancer in women, with binge drinking being believed to be an additional risk factor. Early experiments on mice have found that breast tumours grew more rapidly in mice fed with alcohol compared to mice given no alcohol, suggesting that alcohol may stimulate tumour growth.
Sexual Dysfunction and Infertility
Alcohol can have significant effects on fertility, even in moderate amounts, if taken on a regular basis. For men there can be a significant reduction in their sperm count and women may be sub-fertile if drinking alcohol in excess of 3 units a day.
Foetal Damage
Regular consumption of alcohol, at any level, during pregnancy may potentially harm the foetus. The abnormalities can range from growth retardation to the development of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. The most vulnerable period for the foetus is from 4 to 10 weeks gestation but alcohol-related damage may occur throughout the pregnancy.