Alcohol is a depressant which acts as an anesthetic agent in the central nervous system. Some adults can drink beverages in moderate amounts containing alcohol without experiencing significant side effects. The ability to tolerate alcohol varies from person to person. Alcohol affects women more easily because women do not have a stomach enzyme found in men of the alcohol is broken before reaching the intestines. Therefore, if a man and a woman both drink a glass of wine, more alcohol in the blood of women than men. Alcohol affects every cell in the body, especially the liver, heart and brain. Excessive use can lead to permanent brain damage, heart disease, and liver cirrhosis. Alcohol provides calories but no nutrients to the body. It also robs the body of vitamins and minerals needed to maintain the proper functioning of the cell.
When alcohol is ingested, absorbed by the intestines directly into the bloodstream, where it is carried out in all the body's organs. Most of the alcohol used is transmitted to the liver to detoxify the alcohol by a first conversion of chemical called acetaldehyde. Acetaldehyde is then changed to acetic acid, which in turn is converted to carbon dioxide and water or oil, according to the energy requirements of the body. If alcohol is consumed faster than the liver can not be treated fairly is carried by the blood to the brain, which affects mental functioning. In alcoholics, the conversion of acetaldehyde into acetic acid is slow to occur because liver function above alcohol abuse. So, acetaldehyde accumulates in body organs, causing symptoms such as staggering, trembling hands, blinding headache, and hallucinations. High levels of acetaldehyde can cause pain that can be relieved by provisionally on the drink.
In the first stage of alcoholism, a person can drink a lot and continue to run. Withdrawal symptoms (the set of physical and psychological symptoms that occur when alcohol use is suddenly stopped) after overuse Another absent from the standard hangover that continues to drink heavily. The body's cells to adapt to large amounts of alcohol and use of energy planned to continue working. However, alcohol is finally starting to attack cell structures, cell membranes erode and change the cellular chemical equilibria. Fat deposits accumulate in the liver cells causing "fatty liver", common in heavy drinkers.
No definitive sign marks the border between the early and middle stages of alcoholism, and change can take years. Eventually, however, alcoholic beverages to counteract the symptoms of alcoholism, not to get high or to function better. The deterioration of cells in all parts of the body produces symptoms such as headaches, tremors, chills and nausea when the level of alcohol in the blood decreases. Since the cellular metabolism becomes more and more dependent on alcohol, alcohol dependent person shows signs of alcohol withdrawal delirium when intake is stopped abruptly. He may suffer a loss of appetite and body shaking uncontrollably, fear and shrink into a corner, or become dangerous as it rushes to protect against an imaginary attack. The person can also manipulate his hands as if playing a game of cards, dice or exclusion. These symptoms require immediate medical attention, as they may be precursors to a heart attack, stroke or respiratory failure.
Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a group of birth defects found in some children whose mothers drank alcohol during pregnancy. Since a fetus or unborn baby receives its nourishment directly from the mother's blood, alcohol is easily absorbed in the body of the fetus. The level of alcohol in the blood of the fetus is the same as that of his mother in a few minutes after the mother started drinking. The effects of FAS range from mild to severe, depending on the quantity and frequency of alcohol consumption of the mother during pregnancy. The weight and size of newborns with FAS is below average. They also have physical disabilities such as low muscle tone, smaller than normal skull and facial irregularities, including shooting small eyes. After infancy, children with FAS have nerve problems such as hyperactivity, learning disorders, tantrums, poor concentration, inability to concentrate, and convulsions system.
FAS results in more babies born with mental retardation than any other known factor. However, it is entirely preventable if a pregnant woman stops drinking alcohol during pregnancy. In the final stage of alcoholism, cellular demand for alcohol is so great that the alcoholic must constantly drink to avoid their painful symptoms. Heart, pancreas, digestive, respiratory, nervous system, and all shows characteristic changes. The liver is the most extensive damage. About 10 percent of people die at this stage of liver failure due to cirrhosis, a disease in which scar tissue forms in the liver and affects its ability to function properly. Perhaps each other die from accidents like falling down stairs or drowning or suicide.
There is no cure for alcoholism. Treatment involves complete removal of the alcohol. Treatment programs that last about four weeks to support the patient by the withdrawal, medically treat the physical problems caused by alcohol abuse, and educate patients about their condition and the need to refrain from the alcohol are recommended. , Group and individual family therapy is also usually included in the recovery process. To discourage alcoholic beverages, which are sometimes given medication that causes severe unpleasant reaction when mixed with alcohol. Ongoing support through participation in a group like Alcoholics Anonymous can help the alcoholic to adapt to life without alcohol. Many will need this kind of support for the rest of their lives. An alcoholic has 50 percent probability of successful recovery from addiction.