Briefly explain the ill effects of alcohol oh liver.

Explanation

Effects of Alcohol. The effects of habitual and prolonged drinking over a period of time are two-fold :- (1) On the individual level and (2) socio-economic effects.
1. Effects of Alcohol on Individual. High doses of alcohol over a prolonged period has the following adverse effects on the body :-
(a) On Nervous System. vLong-term alcohol addiction leads to ageing of brain, loss of judgement, will-power and self-control, loss of emotional control, blurred or double-vision and numbing of senses, impaired judgement of distance, slowing down of nerve impulse causing impaired muscular coordination leading to staggering gait. It affects alterness and increases time to react in an unexpected situation and incoherent speech.
(b) Amnesia. It is the loss of memory due to excessive alcoholic intake.
(c) Liver is Most Affected by Excessive Drinking. Liver cells synthesise fat from excess alcohol which is deposited in hepatic cells and bile passages. This impairs protein synthesis and conversion of glycogen. This leads to reduction in enzyme production and accumulation of fat and glycogen in hepatic cells. This is called . In advanced stages, it causes and
(d) On Stomach. Alcohol addiction causes increased secretion of gastric juices resulting in inflammation of gastric mucosa leading to Alcohol also aggravates ulcers though it does not cause ulcers.
(e) Effect on Heart. Alcohol stimulates the deposition of alcoholic fats on the wall of blood vessels, making them rigid and brittle. This increases the blood pressure and adversely affects the working of heart.
(f) On Kidneys. In an alcoholic, urine becomes This interferes with the normal functioning of the nephrons. Kidneys have to do extra work in eliminating the extra water expelled out from the skin into the blood. Loss of water in this manner concentrates nitrogenous wastes and affects their elimination.
(g) Glucose Level. Alcohol reduces glucose level in the blood.
(h) Immunity to Infection. Alcoholics often suffer from malnutrition and loss of resistance to infections. Even well-nourished heavy drinkers have a generally lower immunity to infections.
(i) On Pregnant Women. Pregnant women who consume alcohol have the risk of producing babies with an abnormality called characterised by mental retardation, growth deficiency, head and facial deformities, joint and limb abnormalities and cardiac defects.
(j) Cancer. Some addicts develop various types of cancers, especially if combined with smoking.
2. Socio-economic Effects of Alcoholism. The socio-economic effects of alcoholism are (a) on family and (b) on society or community,
(a) Effect on Family. An alcoholic spends a major portion of his income on alcohol. This squeezes his budget to meet the basic needs of his family and children. This creates domestic problems and the children suffer from anxiety, frustration and insecurity.
(b) Effects on Society or Community. Alcoholism is closely associated with social crimes and erosion of moral values. It also induces corrupt practices in the society. Alcoholism results in increased number of accidents on roads and in industries. Violence is also the outcome of alcoholism. Distillation and sale of illicit liquor increase antisocial activities.