The dangers of alcohol in the body, from heart to kidney damage

In reasonable portions, alcoholic drinks such as wine have the potential to provide health benefits. However, this does not mean you can over-consume it because anything in excess can be harmful. Well, the same principle applies to liquor and alcohol. Actually, what are the dangers of alcohol to the body if consumed in excess?

Various dangers of alcohol that affect the body

Heart damage

Excessive alcohol consumption can weaken the heart muscle. As a result, blood flow throughout the body becomes disrupted. Alcohol can cause cardiomyopathy which is characterized by shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), fatigue, and persistent cough. Not only that, alcohol can also increase the risk of heart attack, stroke and hypertension.

Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)

Too much alcohol in the body causes the pancreas to build up enzymes. This excess enzyme buildup in the pancreas can eventually cause inflammation or what is called

pancreatitis. Acute pancreatitis is usually characterized by a variety of symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, increased heart rate, diarrhea, and fever. If allowed and the habit of drinking alcohol is not stopped, it is not impossible for your life to be threatened.

Damage the brain

Alcohol can cause brain damage by slowing down the transfer of information between nerves. In addition, the ethanol content in drinking alcoholic beverages can also cause specific damage to several areas of the brain.

As a result, you will experience a series of symptoms such as changes in behavior and mood, anxiety, memory loss, and seizures. In fact, people who are dependent on alcohol can experience various complications of brain problems, one of which is hallucinations.

Lung infection

When you are addicted to alcohol, your immune system can slowly weaken. As a result, several organs, including the lungs, will find it difficult to fight bacteria and viruses that cause disease. That is why alcoholics (alcoholism) are more susceptible to respiratory infections such as tuberculosis and pneumonia.

Liver damage

The liver functions to filter out toxins and unused waste so that they don't accumulate in the body. However, excessive alcohol consumption can slow down the liver, causing liver problems.

Quoted from the Medical Daily, about one in three liver transplant cases in the United States originated from liver disease caused by excessive alcohol consumption. In addition, cirrhosis of the liver due to excessive alcohol consumption was the 12th leading cause of death in America in 2009.

Kidney damage

The diuretic effect of alcohol can increase the amount of urine your body produces. As a result, the kidneys have difficulty regulating the flow of urine and body fluids including the distribution of sodium, potassium, and chloride ions throughout the body. This condition can disturb the electrolyte balance in the body which causes you to become dehydrated.