Aishwarya Vaidya
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Written By: Aishwarya Vaidya | Updated : January 30, 2019 4:01 PM IST
Too much alcohol can take a toll on your relationships as well. © Shutterstock
Heavy drinking can wreak havoc on your physical and mental health. It can put you at the risk of chronic health problems like cardiovascular diseases, dehydration, anaemia and so on. Not only this, but you may also experience memory and relationship problems. Moreover, the findings of the study published in the journal Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research, suggested that heavy boozing can cause long-lasting genetic change. The people who drink heavily may be changing their DNA in a way that makes them crave alcohol even more. These findings of the study are completely shocking and people who drink heavily should take a note of it. Moreover, we also brief you about the other health issues you may encounter due to heavy drinking.
1: It can be problematic for your digestive system
Drinking too much alcohol can lead to stomach ulcers, acid reflux, heartburn, and inflammation of the stomach lining, which is known as gastritis," says Ankita Ghag, Clinical Dietician, InBody India. Since, initially, alcohol passes through the gastrointestinal tract, where it begins to exert its toxic effects. You may also suffer from internal bleeding from enlarged veins in your oesophagus if your digestive system is damaged.
2: It can weaken your immunity
"Alcohol can suppress your immune system, particularly in long-term or excessive drinkers and can make you making susceptible to illness," warns Ghag. According to the study published in the journal Alcohol, your immunity becomes sluggish due to heavy drinking. This is so because excessive alcohol consumption prevents the nutrients from feeding your immune system. The alcohol is absorbed into your bloodstream via the stomach. Once in the bloodstream, that alcohol will reduce the white blood cell count in your body. You will find it difficult to fight off any disease due to those lower white blood cells. Hence, it can weaken your immunity.
3: It can cause anaemia
Do you know that heavy drinking can lead to low oxygen-carrying red blood cells? This condition is known as anaemia and can also trigger other fatigue and shortness of breath.
4: It can cause cirrhosis
Cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) can be termed as a serious degenerative disease which occurs when healthy cells in the liver are damaged. "You may suffer from cirrhosis due to alcohol abuse," explains Ghag.
5: It can cause dehydration
"Alcohol suppresses your body s antidiuretic hormone which sends fluid back into your body. Moreover, it will simultaneously act as a diuretic, owing to which the water will be flushed out of your system much more rapidly than normal resulting in dehydration" informs Ghag.
6: It can lead to cardiovascular diseases
Due to heavy drinking, your platelets are more likely to clump together into blood clots, which can put you at the risk of heart attack or stroke. Furthermore, it can also lead to cardiomyopathy, a fatal condition in which the heart muscle weakens and eventually fails. "Hence, it is necessary to limit your alcohol intake," highlights Ghag.
7: It can hamper the functioning of your brain
Another study published in the journal Alcoholism: Clinical & Experiment Research looked at the amount of alcohol consumed and its effect on day-to-day memory function. The study found that heavy drinkers experienced memory issues. The research revealed that people who drink heavily can damage a brain structure called the hippocampus which is critical to memory and learning. Thus, heavy drinking can cause the hippocampus to shrink and changes to your neuron (a nerve cell), which reduces the size of brain cells.
8: It can take a toll on your relationships
According to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, too much alcohol intake can increase your likelihood of getting into fights, domestic disputes or violence and driving under alcohol influence which can be dangerous. thus, it may spoil your relationships.
