Alcoholism is a chronic disease that is characterized by dependence on ethanol (ethyl alcohol). This dependence can be physiological, psychological or a combination of both. 75 percent of the U.S. population, according to estimates, consume alcohol, one in ten people were to submit alcohol problems. Although currently alcoholism affects about four times more men than women, its incidence among women is increasing, as is their use by children, teenagers and college students.
Alcohol affects each individual differently. Some are poisoned by the first drink, while others take four or five before they manifest the effects of alcohol. In people who drink alcohol every triggers an intense desire to take another. Alcoholism is a progressive disease that usually begins when the person drinks in social situations where this behavior is perfectly acceptable. This leads to drink any reason: to soothe, to cheer, to celebrate, to "drown the sorrows", and so on. Soon the alcoholic stops need excuses to drink and, eventually, their dependence on alcohol is controlled completely. The alcoholic usually feel angry and embarrassed by his compulsive behavior and harbors deep feelings of inferiority. However, these feelings can lead to abuse alcohol even much more, since their consumption leads to numb the emotional pain. You often start downloading your frustration with those closest to him.
alcoholism In case no two alike. While some people drink between moderate and high amounts for several years before becoming clinically dependent on alcohol, others become addicted the first time to prove it. There is controversy about whether alcoholism is a product of genetics or the environment. Although many statistical and scientific data supporting both, maybe the truth lies between the two. The acohol is probably the result of the interaction between genetics and environment.
Regarding the body, alcohol is a poison. The effects of chronic consumption of alcohol is the brain damage, liver, pancreatic, duodenal and nervous. Alcoholism is harmful to the metabolism of all cells of the body and weakens the immune. Although the consequences of excessive alcohol consumption may take years to manifest, if the alcoholic continues to drink his life may be shortened by up to ten or fifteen years.
Alcohol is broken down in the liver. The repeated use of this substance inhibits the production of digestive enzymes from the liver, which disrupts the body's ability to absorb proteins, fats and fat-soluble vitamins (vitamins A, D, E and K), as well as vitamins B complex (especially thiamine and folic acid) and other water-soluble vitamins. The body fails to use many essential nutrients because they are rapidly eliminated in the urine. The toxic effect of alcohol on the liver is extremely serious. First, liver excessive amounts of fat because alcohol causes the body loses its ability to digest properly. Second, the individual can get alcoholic hepatitis, a disease in which liver cells become inflamed and may die. The last stage of liver damage caused by alcohol and is usually fatal, liver cirrhosis, a disease that is characterized by inflammation, stiffness and cicratizacion liver. This prevents the blood to move normally through the liver, which inhibits the ability of this organ to filter toxins and foreign substances. The liver is one of the most powerful organs of the body and is the only thing that can regenerate itself after suffering certain damage. Up to 25 percent of the liver can be removed and returned a short time to grow to the size and shape. Although the liver is subjected to constant use, if we care to work better for decades. Alcohol is one of the toxins that the liver does not handle well. This organ does not regenerate after being severely damaged by alcohol.
Alcoholism also affects health in other ways. Alcoholics often suffer nervous system damage perisferico. This damage is manifested initially by numbness in hands or feet, walking with difilcutad is obvious in these cases. Alcohol abuse also causes inflammation of the pancreas. This problem makes even more the body's ability to digest fats and other nutrients, and can lead to diabetes. Alcoholic people face a higher risk of getting cancer of the mouth and throat by direct exposure to alcohol toxicity. They can also suffer from high blood pressure, low testosterone production, visible dilation of blood vessels immediately below the surface of the skin, and pathological growth of the heart that can turn into congestive heart failure. The social consequences of alcoholism may also be very destructive. Alcohol abuse charges a price to high society, car accidents and other kinds, labor inefficiency and families affected emotionally.
Drinking alcohol during pregnancy is particularly harmful, since alcohol can cause birth defects and increase the likelihood of a spontaneous abortion. Alcohol passes into the circulatory system of the fetus through the maternal placenta. This toxic substance decreases the functional activity of the fetal central nervous sistena. Moreover, the fetal liver could try to metabolize alcohol, but as they still are not well developed, the substance remains in the circulatory system. Women who drink during pregnancy generally give birth to babies with low birth weight. The growth of these infants is usually slow, their brains tend to be smaller than normal and, furthermore, there may be delay mental. It is not unusual for these babies born with deformities in the limbs, joints, fingers and facial features. They can also be heart and kidney defects. Some children who were exposed to alcohol in life intrautetrina become hyperactive in adolescence and learning difficulties. Every drink you take a pregnant woman not only increases the risk that a child with fetal alcohol syndrome, but that given a spontaneous abortion. Especially during the three or four months pregnant, even small amounts of alcohol are harmful.
Alcoholics who stop drinking often experience withdrawal symptoms, including during the first week of abstention. These people may have insomnia, auditory and visual hallucinations, convulsions, acute anxiety, rapid pulse, heavy sweating and fever. Ostante not, over time, and if necessary, appropriate supervision, these symptoms pass and the alcohol was free to start a job that will take a lifetime to recover. It is important to put in the hands of an expert or specialist in addiction to the recommendations of a psychological and nutritional, this last is extremely important for a proper rehabilitation and proper management of their addictive disorder.
