Discuss the effects of alcohol on the body.

Explanation

The dependence or addiction of alcohol is called Alcoholism.
III Effects of Alcohol
Alcohol causes intoxication in high doses so acts as a poison. Though alcohol has ill effects on all the body organs, certain organs are affected more than others e.g.
(a) On nervous system. Alcohol has an anaesthetic effect on the nervous system and first affects cerebrum followed by cerebellum and other parts. The duration of intoxication depends on the amount and rapidity of intaking of alcohol. Effect on nervous system is characterized by :
(i) Loss of judgment, will power and self-control.
(ii) Loss of emotional control so shows either foolish laughter or sadness and weeping.
(iii) Loss of moral sense so shows antisocial behaviour.
(iv) Visual problems like blurred vision, double vision and improper judgement of distance.
(v) Due to ill effects on cerebellum, muscle-coordination is not proper so alcoholic shows staggering gait and incoherent speech.
(vi) Inflammation of axons of neurons leading to neuritis.
In addition, alcoholism may also cause complications like peripheral neuropathy, alcoholic hallucinosis, alcoholic dementia, alcoholic jealousy, Kasakoff.s psychosis (characterized by amnestic syndrome with memory disturbances), etc.
(b) On stomach. A large dose of high concentration alcohol causes increased secretion of gastric juices which cause gastritis. It may also cause peptic ulcer, gastric carcinoma, achlorhydria etc.
(c) On liver. Inside the liver, alcohol is changed into more toxic compound—acetaldehyde which provides energy to synthesize fats from alcohol. So liver becomes the storehouse of fats which leads to a fatty liver syndrome. Liver becomes hard and dry, and liver cells are replaced by fibrous tissues. This is called cirrhosis. In this, the glycogen and protein synthetic activities of liver are greatly reduced. Alcoholism may also lead to hepatitis, liver failure, liver cell carcinoma, etc.
(d) On heart. Alcohol stimulates the deposition of alcoholic fats on the walls of the blood vessels which become rigid and brittle. This increases the blood pressure and adversely affects the working of the heart. In severe cases, alcoholism leads to cardiomyopathy.
(e) On kidneys. In an alcoholic, the urine becomes hypotonic which interferes the normal functioning of nephrons of the kidneys. It is because alcohol decreases the secretion of ADH (antidiuretic hormone) so large amount of water is expelled out through urine, so alcoholic generally suffers from dehydration.
(f) Alcohol also decreases glucose level in the blood (alcoholic hypoglycaemia) and ketoacidosis.
(g) Alcoholic generally suffers from malnutrition so becomes more susceptible to diseases like pneumonia. Alcoholic also suffers from thrombocytopenia, anaemia, vitamin K deficiency, etc.
(h) The use of alcohol during pregnancy is known to adversely affect the growth of foetus.
An alcoholic is a sick person and requires the attention of the family members and the friends to get rid off alcohol.