Alcohol what does it affect

They include: frequent urination and dehydration an inflammatory response from your immune system irritation of the stomach lining a drop in blood sugar an expansion of blood vessels.

Depending on what you drank and how much, your hangover may include these symptoms: thirst headache muscle aches diarrhoea nausea fatigue weakness trembling or shaking rapid heart rate increased blood pressure dry mouth and eyes poor concentration increased sensitivity to light and sound a feeling that the room is spinning, or a sense of dizziness anxiety, depression, irritability and other mood disturbances poor, restless or less sleep.

Hangovers usually pass with time, but these tips may help to ease symptoms: Sip water or fruit juice to stay hydrated. Eat something. Plain or bland foods, such as soup or toast, may be easier on a fragile stomach.

Take a pain reliever. A standard dose of an over-the-counter pain reliever such as paracetamol may ease your headache, but aspirin can irritate your stomach. Sleep it off. Alcohol poisoning emergency Sometimes heavy drinking results in the much more serious effect of alcohol poisoning.

Call for emergency care if you see these signs in someone who has been drinking: confusion vomiting seizures slow breathing less than eight breaths a minute or irregular breathing a gap of more than 10 seconds between breaths blue-tinged skin or pale skin low body temperature hypothermia difficulty remaining conscious passing out unconsciousness and can't be woken. The long-term effects of alcohol Historically it has been believed that consuming on average more than two standard drinks a day is what can cause many long-term health problems and other harms.

Some of the most common alcohol-related harms include: road and other accidents domestic and public violence crime family breakdown social dysfunction cardiovascular disease cancers, including of the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, oesophagus, liver, colorectum and female breast diabetes nutrition-related conditions, such as folate deficiency and malnutrition overweight and obesity risks to unborn babies liver diseases mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression, and interference with antidepressant medication alcohol tolerance and alcohol dependence or addiction long-term cognitive impairment self-harm suicide.

What is binge drinking and how does it affect your body? How to avoid or reduce the effects of alcohol on your body The best way to avoid the effects of alcohol on your body is to not drink alcohol. For healthy men and women, they advise: Drinking no more than 10 standard drinks per week reduces the lifetime risk of harm from alcohol-related disease or injury.

Drinking no more than four standard drinks on any one day reduces the risk of alcohol-related injury arising from that occasion. The less you choose to drink, the lower your risk of alcohol-related harm.

For some people not drinking at all is the safest option. If you would like to cut down on your alcohol consumption, the following tips may help. Australian guidelines to reduce health risks from drinking alcohol , , National Health and Medical Research Council, Australian Government. Global status report on alcohol and health executive summary. Geneva: World Health Organization; Give feedback about this page. Was this page helpful? Yes No. View all alcohol. Related information.

Support groups The dangers of sitting. From other websites World Cancer Research Fund. Alcohol consumption is a personal decision. Many find it a good relaxation agent, social lubricant or simply enjoy the feeling it generates. Others view alcohol consumption negatively for reasons based on health or moral code. Some individuals choose to drink alcohol moderately while others drink heavily. For those that drink heavily, it is important to know the effects of alcohol on the body. Typically, alcohol is a waste product that the body tries to excrete.

If you drink more than the body is able to process, you begin to feel intoxicated as the alcohol level builds up in the bloodstream and is distributed throughout the body. This causes feelings of excitement, numbness or inhibition.

Immune System — this is what fights off germs, viruses and other illness in your body. Alcohol slows the immune system, making bacteria-fighting white blood cells sluggish and much less efficient. Heavy drinkers may be more likely to succumb to illnesses such as tuberculosis or pneumonia, and increased risk of numerous forms of cancer. Skeletal System — Alcohol abuse inhibits new bone production, putting one at risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures.

It also makes muscles more likely to weaken, cramp or atrophy. Long-term alcohol use may prevent your body from keeping your bones strong. This habit may cause thinner bones and increase your risk for fractures if you fall. And factures may heal more slowly. Drinking alcohol may also lead to muscle weakness, cramping, and eventually atrophy.

This makes it more difficult for your body to fight off invading germs and viruses. People who drink heavily over a long period of time are also more likely to develop pneumonia or tuberculosis than the general population. About 10 percent of all tuberculosis cases worldwide can be tied to alcohol consumption. Drinking alcohol also increases your risk for several types of cancer, including mouth, breast, and colon.

Click here to learn the basics of alcoholism. You can also read about the stages of alcoholism and recognizing an addiction. Learn how long alcohol can be detected in your system, and how long the effects from alcohol may last. Drinking can be a fun way to socialize, but few people talk about a very common aftereffect of sipping adult beverages: diarrhea.

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This is a detailed article about alcohol and its health effects. It examines both the pros and cons, helping you make an informed decision. The search for a way to sober up fast is an endless one. There are many…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. The Effects of Alcohol on Your Body. Medically reviewed by Elaine K. Luo, M. Share on Pinterest. Digestive and endocrine glands. Inflammatory damage.

Sugar levels. Central nervous system. Digestive system. Circulatory system. Sexual and reproductive health. Skeletal and muscle systems.