Effects Of Alcohol On The Body Alcohol example essay topic

The effects of alcohol on the body Alcohol is one of many dangerous substances that effects our bodies. The effects of this drug can be very harmful. Alcohol is a potent non-prescription drug sold to anyone over the national legal drinking age, 21. Unlike other deadly drugs it is easy to access. This makes it easy to over-consume and create a tragic accident, even death.

It can damage a person not only physically but also mentally and emotionally. Many people each year become more and more addicted to alcohol and soon experience all of it's dangerous effects. Even if alcohol use is discontinued, some of these damages can not be cured, because the scars have been left on those that drink and those that surround them. The only hope of truly avoiding the effects of alcohol is complete abstinence from the drug. Alcohol counts for a large percentage of accidents and deaths among people of all gender, and age each year. Every year alcohol is responsible for 1/2 of all murders, accidental deaths, and suicides; 1/3 of all drowning, boating, and aviation deaths; 1/2 of all crimes; and almost 1/2 of all fatal automobile accidents.

(Alco limit. com December 4). The amount of alcohol consumed by each gender differs. Men are more likely to drink, and they drink more heavily than women, though in some cases it is vice versa and this does not exclude women from being capable of drinking heavily. (web December 9). Whether it be a large or small amount 89% of men and 85% of women consume some alcohol each year. (web December 10) 18% of men and 29% of women do not drink or drink less than once a month. (web December 10) Men consume 73% of all alcohol. 83% of the top 10% of drinkers are male. (web December 10) On average the top 5% of male drinkers consume the equivalent of 63 cans of beer a week. (web December 10) On average the top 5% of female drinkers consume the equivalent of 25 cans of beer a week. (web December 10) 19% of male drinkers and 10% of female drinkers drink every day. (web December 10) Studies have shown that males are more likely to drink as women, but women are not so far behind. Everyone experiences the effects of alcohol, regardless of gender.

Everyone that consumes alcohol is effected differently. Some people have higher tolerance levels. Some may have more food in their stomach than others. (Langone, Book 45) Food becomes a big factor when you are drinking. (Langone, Book, 45) If you have a lot of food in your stomach to absorb the alcohol, instead of it being absorbed into your blood stream, then you won't be intoxicated as fast. (Langone, Book, 45) Weight can also determine your tolerance and speed of intoxication (Langone, Book 45) Since our bodies are 70% water, alcohol is diluted some.

A small person has less water for the alcohol to dilute in than someone who is bigger. (Langone, Book 45) A single drink may even be all it takes to impair judgment. (web November 27) Some people believe that by becoming a 'seasoned' drinker they are more tolerant to the alcohol they put into their bodies. (Langone, Book, 85) However being a seasoned drinker does not make you use to alcohol because you can become seriously impair by even the smallest quantities. (Langone, Book, 85) The effects of alcohol is different among all people depending on size, weight, time and amount of alcohol consumed. The physical results of drinking alcohol can be life-threatening. Within moments of ingestion, alcohol moves from the blood stream into every part of the body that contains water.

(Vasap. state / effects. com November 30) This includes major organs like the brain, lungs, kidneys, and heart. (Vasap. state / effects. com November 30) Alcohol stimulates and agitates, depresses and sedates, produces calmness and tranquillity, and begins a hypnotic state of drowsiness and sleep. (Vasap. state / effects. com November 30) Alcohol impairs your judgment, and strongly affects motor skills, muscle function, reaction time, eyesight, depth perception, and night vision. (Alcoholism.

' World Book Encyclopedia. 1997 ed. 335-338.) As a drinker continues to drink, alcohol depresses lung and heart function, slowing breathing and circulation. (Alcoholism.

1997 ed. 335-338.) Death can occur if alcohol completely paralyzes breathing. (Alcoholism. 1997 ed. 335-338.) However, this state is seldom reached because the body rejects alcohol by vomiting. (Alcoholism.

1997 ed. 335-338.) The results are in many ways harmful to the body. Alcohol effects many of our important internal organs. Our brain is one of those. Alcohol effects the brain temporarily and permanently.

(Langone, Book, 99) Some effects on the brain are, brain injury and memory loss. In some cases the drinker may not be good with problem solving, judgment of even the smallest things, behavior, insight, understanding or comprehending, pain or pleasure, co-ordination, and body functions. (Langone, Book, 99) Brain cells are also affected by alcohol carried by the blood stream into the brain, like many other organs. (Langone, Book, 99) (Langone pg 99 book) Alcohol strongly disturbs the structure and function of the central nervous system, interrupting the ability to retrieve and integrate information. ('Alcohol and Drug Consumption.

' Encyclopedia Britannica Macropaedia. 1990 ed.) Even small amounts if alcohol affect the brains retrieving and processing abilities, while larger amounts interfere with the oxygen supply to the brain. Blackouts, hallucinations, and extreme tremors may occur. 1990 ed.) The physical results are almost alway permanent.

Alcohol can also effect other major organs such as the heart. In the heart it can cause disturbances to heart rate. (Vasap. state / effects. com November 30) If you have an existing heart problem, it could even kill you or make you very sick. (Vasap. state / effects. com November 30) Moderate daily drinking may be good for the heart, but for many the risks outweigh the benefits. (Vasap. state / effects. com November 30) Even one binge may produce irregular heartbeats, and an alcohol abuser experience increased risk of high blood pressure, heart attacks, heart arrhythmia, and heart disease. 1990 ed.) Alcohol may cause cardiomyopathy (a disease of the heart muscle) ('Alcohol and Drug Consumption.

1990 ed.) It also puts you in great danger of heart problems. 1990 ed.) Keeping clear of alcohol means avoiding any heart problems. Alcohol also effects the kidneys, another major internal organ. When drinking alcohol urination increases dues to changes in the hormone aldosterone. This is what regulations water in the body.

(Vasap. state / effects. com November 30) So it is not uncommon to experience an increase in the urge to urinate will intoxicated. (Vasap. state / effects. com November 30) The liver, however, is effected the most. Liver damage may occur in three irreversible stages. (Vasap. state / effects. com November 30) The first stage is called Fatty Liver. This is where the liver cells are worked in with abnormal fatty tissue, enlarging the liver.

Second there is Alcoholic Hepatitis. Liver cells swell, become inflamed, and die, causing blockage. Last, the more advanced alcoholic liver now has Cirrhosis: a fibrous scar tissue forms in place of healthy cells, obstructing the flow of blood through the liver. Various functions of the liver deteriorate with often fatal results. (Vasap. state / effects. com November 30) A diseased liver cannot convert stored glycogen into glucose, thus lowering blood sugars and producing hypoglycemia an important function in the liver (an abnormally low level of glucose in the blood). (Vasap. state / effects. com November 30) This inefficiently detoxifies the bloodstream and inadequately removes drugs, alcohol, and dead red blood cells.

(Vasap. state / effects. com November 30) It now cannot manufacture bile (for fat digestion), prothrombin (for blood clotting and bruise prevention), and albumin (for maintaining healthy cells). (Vasap. state / effects. com November 30) Alcohol in the liver also alters the production of digestive enzymes, preventing the absorption of fats and proteins and decreasing the absorption of the vitamins A, D, E, and K. (Vasap. state / effects. com November 30) The decreased production of these enzymes also causes diarrhea. (Vasap. state / effects. com November 30) A healthy liver is vital to live. With alcohol consumption, a person cannot have a healthy liver. Alcohol effects both mean and women's sex hormones. A women may experience changes in her menstrual cycle or irregularity of her menstrual cycle.

(Vasap. state / effects. com November 30) There is also a decrease in the ability for a women to become pregnant. (Vasap. state / effects. com November 30) Also during a pregnancy, it could harm the unborn fetus, causing it severe medical problems or withdrawal at birth. (Vasap. state / effects. com November 30) Sterility increases in both sexes with the consumption of alcohol (Vasap. state / effects. com November 30). Men also experience problems with their sex hormones. The decrease in male hormone levels means decreased sexual desire and performance.

(Vasap. state / effects. com November 30) Some men, like women, even become sterile. Alcohol effects even the function of sexual hormones. Something most people never considered. Not only does the person that consume alcohol feel the effects of it, but the unborn fetus of a drinking mother does also. If the mother consumes alcohol during her pregnancy, she jeopardizes the life of her baby, even putting them in danger of death or severe birth defects. (Vasap. state / effects. com November 30) When alcohol that intoxicates the mother is passed to her fetus, the baby experiences great changes in it's body.

(Vasap. state / effects. com November 30) When the baby is born he / she may be dead and if not severely retarded or experiencing withdrawal symptoms. (Vasap. state / effects. com November 30) It doesn't seem fair to a child to have to suffer the consequences of the drinking of his mother. Alcohol is one of many dangerous substances that effects our bodies. In conclusion, the choice is all up to the drinker.

If they choose to drink they are also choosing to put their health in jeopardy and in some cases the health of their unborn child. In more tragic cases, innocent people lose their lives to these thoughtless people who get behind the wheel and drive while intoxicated. The major burden of coping with this complex drug and its problems continues to fall on the individuals and families and friends. The only way to prevent any effects is to stay completely clear of alcohol.

Bibliography

Alcohol and Drug Consumption. 1990 ed " Alcoholism.
1997 ed.
335-338"Alcohol Limit" web (4 December 2000) Langone, John.
Bombed, Buzzed, Smashed or... sober (a book about alcohol). Boston: Little, Brown, and Company, 1975.
Silvers tien, Alvin. Alcoholism. Philadelphia and New York: J.B. Lippincott Company, 1977.
Personal Interview. 19 November 2000".
The Percentages of Alcohol... ". web (30 November 2000).