Drink awareness groups have long been pointing out the side effects of excessive alcohol consumption. While many people still consider alcohol as a socially acceptable drug, medical experts have been stressing that excess alcohol consumption can seriously damage your health. In addition, the negative impact goes far beyond the risk of developing cirrhosis of the liver or alcoholism.
What Are the Side Effects of Excessive Alcohol Consumption?
Though it may be difficult to fathom, medical experts link excessive alcohol consumption to over 60 different medical conditions. Let’s look at 5 of the side effects of excessive alcohol consumption:
1. Cardiovascular Disease
People who drink heavily are more likely to suffer blood clots which may lead to heart attacks or strokes. Additionally, they may suffer cardiomyopathy, a condition where the heart muscles weaken and eventually fail altogether.
2. Cancer
Heavy drinkers are more likely to develop the following cancer types: mouth, throat, larynx, oesophagus, liver, breast, and colon.
3. Dementia
During the aging process, people’s brain shrinks at a rate of 1.9% per decade. If people drink heavily, this shrinkage is far greater. As a result, the brain function deteriorates leading to memory loss and in some instances even dementia.
4. Depression
Contrary to the concept of “drowning your sorrows”, experts now know that excessive alcohol consumption may, in fact, lead to depression.
5. High Blood Pressure
Excess drinking can raise the blood pressure which may lead to kidney disease, heart failure, or stroke.
These are but a select few of the side effects of excessive alcohol consumption.
Final Thoughts
In recent times, the many negative consequences of excessive alcohol consumption have become more and more evident. They reach far beyond the risk of alcoholism and liver cirrhosis. Though socially accepted, alcohol is still a serious drug.
