What kinds of diseases can you get from being an alcoholic?
Alcoholics put their bodies at risk to develop all kinds of life-threatening diseases. Heavy drinking directly damages the key organs and parts of the body – the heart, liver and brain.
The heart regulates blood flow throughout the body. People cannot live without a properly functioning heart. The Women’s Heart Foundation reports that drinking heavily poisons the heart. The diseases related to the heart that can develop as a result of alcoholism mentioned are: “high blood pressure, alcoholic cardiomyopathy (enlarged and weakened heart), congestive heart failure, and stroke.” Women also have to beware of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome – a disease that causes birth defects in children.
Equally important in the human body is the liver. It acts like a filter, straining out all the bad stuff that has entered the body. When someone drinks a lot of alcohol, the liver overloads and cannot function properly. The American Liver Foundation has information about Fatty Liver, Alcoholic Hepatitis, and Alcoholic Cirrhosis. These are several kinds of liver problems and diseases that you can get from being an alcoholic.
Smart choices are harder without brain power. Alcohol is known to cause brain damage, brain shrinkage, and even limited brain functionality. Alcoholics are also susceptible to Korsakoff’s Syndrome. According to the American Medical Association, for teens and young adults (even those of college age), alcohol has an increased negative effect on their bodies, and increased risks of brain damage.
This isn’t even a comprehensive list of all the health risks that come with being an alcoholic. There are several psychological conditions that can be made worse by alcohol. Some types of cancer are linked to alcoholism, as well. We learn more about how alcohol affects people through the latest scientific studies. Bottom Line: Alcoholism truly is hazardous to your health.