The physiological effects of alcohol on the human body
Alcohol affects our body in many ways; initially it comes into contact with the mouth linings, oesophagus, stomach and intestine, where it acts as an irritant and“anaesthesia,” (causing insensitivity to pain with or without loss of consciousness). Only 20% of ingested alcohol is absorbed through the intestinal linings directly into the blood stream, reaching every cell in the body. Alcohol “depresses,” or slows down, the functioning of the body’s cells and organs until they are less efficient. The brain, liver, heart, pancreas, lungs, kidneys, and every other organ and tissue system in the body are infiltrated by alcohol within minutes of it passing into the blood stream. After consumption alcohol is distributed throughout the body via a variety of systems; the circularatory system, the digestive system and the renal system being its main pathways. The body is very complex and every cell of the body is affected by alcohol consumption, by focusing on these important systems this investigation aims to highlight the effects that alcohol consumption has on the body, both short term and long term.
Although further research on the topic also highlights significant effects on the eyes; as alcohol causes blurred vision, the muscles; as alcohol can cause muscle weakness, including the myogenic heart muscles. Alcohol also affects endocrine system, as it can cause hormonal imbalances leading to immune dysfunction, cardiovascular abnormalities, bone disease and reproductive problems in men and women of all ages. The bladder can also become too active due to excessive alcohol consumption causing incontinence. There are many alcohol related diseases such as foetal alcohol syndrome, which causes abnormalities in the foetus, many nervous disorders and obesity. Recent studies have linked alcohol to asthmatic reactions especially from wine, although the mechanisms underlying wine induced asthmatic reactions are not known. Alcohol can also be related to an increased risk of cancer in the liver, pancreas, rectum, breast, mouth, larynx, and oesophagus. These areas will not be focused upon due to the size of each individual topic.
Alcohol has an affect on the Central Nervous System (CNS), (i.e. the brain, the spinal chord and the nerves originating from it) responsible for co-ordinating the senses, perception, speech and judgement, it produces slurring of speech and errors in the thinking process. It also affects the co-ordination and balance, causing unsteadiness and the inability to function efficiently. Although alcohol depresses bodily functions, it often stimulates inhibitions; emotions are more easily expressed as the part of the brain which enables us to control our behaviour is depressed or relaxed so emotions become exhilarated. Sensory impulses are transmitted to the CNS and motor impulses pass from it, when alcohol acts on the CNS, intoxication occurs, affecting emotional and sensory function, judgement, memory and learning ability. Smell and taste are dulled, the ability to withstand pain increases as the blood alcohol level rises. Different parts of the brain seem to be affected by alcohol at differing rates, creating alternate periods of restlessness and stupor. Long term affects of alcohol on the central nervous system include tolerance, dependency and irreversible damage. Changes in tolerance for alcohol demonstrate that changes occur in the brain. With each drinking episode, central nervous system functions deteriorate; beginning with intellectual functioning and followed by disturbances in sensory and motor control. Last affected are the automatic biological functions such as breathing and heart action, which are controlled by the Medulla Oblongata. The brain is the organ most affected by alcohol; damage can be proven by the consumer’s behaviour changes and emotional distress. Memory loss, confusion and augmentation,(a physiological response to alcohol which results in hyper alertness to normal situations, perceiving light as brighter or sounds louder than usual, or the consumer becoming extremely angry or sad for no particular reason), are the three noticeable affects of alcohol injury to the brain. Blackouts, or loss of memory for a period during drinking, are a physical effect of alcohol on the brain. They occur because alcohol cuts off the supply of oxygen to the brain, a lack of oxygen supply to the brain can destroy tens of thousands of brain cells every time alcohol is consumed to a level of intoxication.
