Drinking has become such an obsession with all kinds and classes of people that those who do not drink are dubbed as odd personalities. What was until yesterday, ‘a hush -hush activity,’’ now has become out open .There is enough proof for the spread of alcohol culture, every where, including in the remote mofussil areas.
Increase in the incidence of crimes, including rape, robbery and road accidents is directly related to the increase in the use of alcohol. It is time that people are made aware of the most deleterious and disastrous effects of its use. Alcohol acts as fire and goes on burning and damaging the organs as it passes through the body.
Health hazards due to Alcohol use:
1. Mouth and esophagus: Alcohol is an irritant to the things of the throat and food pipe.
2. Stomach and Intestine: It has an irritating effect on the stomach’s protective lining (mucous membrane), resulting in gastric or duodenal ulcers. This condition, later on, becomes acute and can cause the perforation of he stomach wall.
In the small intestine, alcohol blocks absorption of vitamins, such as B1, B2, B12, Folic acid, and others like xylose, fats and amino acids.
3. in the blood stream: 90% of the alcohol consumed is absorbed into the blood, through the lining of the stomach and duodenum. Once in the bloodstream, alcohol quickly goes to every cell and tissue in the body.
Alcohol causes the red blood cells to clump together in sticky walls and slows the blood circulation and thereby deprives the tissues of oxygen, leading to decrease of all bodily functions. It also leads to anemia by reducing the production of red blood cells.
Alcohol slows the ability of White Blood Cells to engulf and destroy bacteria (decrease in body protective mechanism). It decreases the clotting ability of Blood platelets.
4. Pancreas: Irritates the cells of the pancreas, causing them to swell, thus blocking the flow of digestive enzymes and leading to Acute Hemorrhagic Pancreatitis (1 out of 5 who develop this disease may die during the first attack). The affected pancreas produce less insulin and diabetes occurs.
5. Liver: It inflames the liver cells and bile production is affected, and Jaundice is developed (eye and skin becomes yellow). Later on leading to cirrhosis of the liver which is eight times more frequent among alcoholics’ than non- alcoholics.
6. Heart: It has a toxic effect on the heart muscle and causes increased amounts of fat to collect in it.
7. Kidneys and urinary bladder:
Lining of the bladder is inflamed making it to unable to stretch properly. There is increased loss of fluids due to irritating effect on the kidneys.
8. Sexual function: Swelling of the prostate gland interferes with the ability of the male sexually.
9. Brain:
It depresses the brain centers, producing progressive non- coordination, confusion, disorientation, stupor, coma and death. Alcohol kills brain cells any brain damage is permanent (brain cannot produce new cells). Drinking causes loss of memory, judgment and learning ability.
Thus alcohol affects almost all the organs of the body and the brain is more affected and thus leading to the individual’s improper behavior in the society, which brings bad name and fame.
