Different parts of your body are affected by alcohol in different ways. We’re going to tell you which organs can be affected and what symptoms you will get.
Brain:
Alcohol has an effect on the brain’s communication pathways, it can also have an affect the way the brain works and looks. These effects can change the mood and behaviour of the brain, and make it harder to think clearly, it can even make it harder to move with coordination.
Heart:
Drinking a large amount over a long time or drinking too much on a single occasion can damage the heart, it can cause problems including:
- Stroke
- High blood pressure
- Cardiomyopathy (Stretching and drooping of heart muscle)
- Studies show that drinking small amounts of alcohol every so often may protect healthy adults from developing coronary heart disease.
- Arrhythmias (Irregular heart beat)
Liver:
Heavy drinking takes a toll on the liver and can lead to a variety of problems, including:
- Fibrosis
- Steatosis, or fatty liver
- Cirrhosis
- Alcoholic hepatitis
Cancer:
Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol can increase your risk of developing certain cancers, including:
- Liver
- Mouth
- Throat
- Breast
- Esophagus
If you’re worried about your health because of your drinking, we hope you read the above and consider looking into more information about the health risks of excessing the drinking units.