Definition of alcohol: the types of alcohol and what are their harms

 

Definition of alcohol: the types of alcohol and what are their harms

Alcohol

Chemically, it defines alcoholWith organic compounds that contain hydroxyl groups that carry the chemical symbol (-OH), while the term alcohol, by its common definition, is a toxic substance found in spirits that include beer, wine and distilled wines. These alcohols are chemically known as ethanol, which contains two carbon atoms and a hydroxyl group. One, and alcohol is toxic because of its ability to dissolve fats, as it works to dissolve fats in cell membranes, which destroys the structure of cells and works to kill them. And when it is diluted enough, it causes effects on the brain that some people want to have, but it must be known that drinking alcohol, regardless of its quantity and concentration, cannot be completely safe and without risks.> [1] 

Many people in many regions of the world drink alcohol for social occasions, but drinking alcohol entails many health and social risks and consequences, [2] and despite the fact that most of the chronic diseases that result from drinking alcohol result from consuming it in abundance and for long periods, However, drinking it in small quantities or at long intervals carries with it many risks as well, and science has concluded that there is no safe minimum for drinking alcohol, [3] and in this article we will talk about the effect of alcoholic drinks on human health.

Alcohol in the human body

Alcohol in alcoholic drinks does not need to be digested before absorption, and therefore it is rapidly absorbed into the blood, as about 20% of it can be absorbed directly from the walls of an empty stomach, and it reaches the brain within one minute, while the presence of food slows down the absorption and arrival of alcohol. To the brain, and works to keep it in the stomach for a longer period, as the stomach works to digest a part of the alcohol through the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase, thereby reducing the amount of alcohol that reaches the brain, but the alcohol-digesting enzyme is more in men than In women, therefore, a greater amount of alcohol reaches the small intestine in the woman's body, which makes her absorb more alcohol than a man of equal volume by about one third, and therefore the toxicity of alcohol is greater in women, and after absorption the body gives priority to alcohol in the metabolism processesIn order to ensure disposal of it as soon as possible, as the body cannot store alcohol, which also indicates that the body deals with it as a toxic substance. [1]

The blood loaded with alcohol is transported from the digestive system to the liver, so that this blood reaches all liver cells, and they are the only cells that also contain good amounts of the enzyme dehydrogenase alcohol , which enables the body to get rid of part of the alcohol before it reaches the rest of the body cells, Therefore, the most harmful effects of alcohol occur in the liver, even though it affects all parts of the body. [1]

Consequences of drinking alcohol

The consequences are short term

Drinking alcohol causes a loss of focus and the ability to judge situations and act upon them, as it affects the ability to see, affects memory, and may cause fainting. [4] Also, drinking alcohol has many consequences, and here are some of its short-term consequences that affect people who drink it, as well as others who do not drink it: [1]

• Alcohol is responsible for a third of all cases that enter the emergency department.
• Responsible for half of all homicide cases.
• Responsible for half of all domestic violence cases.
• Responsible for half of all road traffic deaths.
• Responsible for half of the deaths due to fires.

Alcohol consumption affects university students in the world the most; Because of the individuals of this age group tolerating excessive drinking, as drinking alcohol is responsible for: [1]

• An average of 4 university students were killed every day.
• Sexual assault on 192 university students every day.
• 1,370 university students are hurt every day.
• 1644 university students attacked every day.

The consequences are far-reaching

Scientific research has found that drinking alcohol is associated with more than 60 diseases, and it has many effects on the body, which have not yet been fully discovered. [5] And when the quantities of alcohol consumed are large or the period between consuming it is short, the body cannot recover completely. The full effect of the drink, and the repetition of that affects all parts of the body, so that the risk of death from all causes is greater in people who drink heavily, especially people under the age of 35 years, [1] and among the long-term health problems that drinking alcohol causes are the following:

• High risk of developing arthritis. [1]
• Drinking alcohol can cause anemia . [5]
• High risk of developing cancer; Due to the conversion of alcohol in the body into the carcinogenic compound acetaldehyde (English: Acetaldehyde), [5] it increases the risk of developing liver, pancreatic, rectal and breast cancer, and it also increases the risk of developing cancers of the mouth, larynx, pharynx, and esophagus, and it interacts with smoking to raise the risk In these types of cancer, more significant. [1]
• Drinking alcohol during pregnancy causes what is called Fetal alcohol syndrome, in which the fetus suffers from birth defects and abnormal changes in behavior, and this effect is considered the most dangerous of drinking alcohol. [1]
• Drinking alcohol significantly raises blood pressure and blood lipids (lipids), as well as increases the risk of stroke and heart disease, [1] which includes heart failure . [5]
• Drinking alcohol can cause high blood sugar, and it may also decrease blood sugar, especially in people with diabetes. [1]
• Higher risk of miscarriage in women and infertility in women and men. [1]
• Increase the size of the kidneys, affect hormone function, and raise the risk of developing kidney failure . [1]
• Drinking alcohol causes fatty liver disease, liver cirrhosis, and alcoholic hepatitis. [1]
• Increase the risk of malnutrition resulting from lack of protein and energy (English: Protein-energy malnutrition), lack of protein intake, vitamin A, calcium, iron, vitamin C, thiamine (vitamin B1), riboflavin (in English: Riboflavin) (vitamin B2), vitamin B6, and impaired absorption Calcium, phosphorous, vitamin D, and zinc. [1]
• Drinking alcohol causes nerve damage , dementia, imbalance and memory imbalance, [1] and it also causes what is known as alcoholic neuropathy , which results in tingling and numbness in the extremities, muscle weakness, incontinence , erectile dysfunction, and others. [5]
• Drinking alcohol increases your calorie intake, and thus increases the risk of obesity and weight gain. [1]
• Drinking alcohol causes depression, anxiety and insomnia. [1]
• Higher risk of stomach ulcers and cancer . [4]
• High risk of epilepsy, and it causes convulsions even in people without epilepsy , and it also interferes with drugs used to treat convulsions. [5]
• Increased risk of gout (English: gout ), and worsening of the disease in infected people. [5]
• Reducing the efficiency of the immune system and increasing the risk of infection, especially tuberculosis, lung disease, AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases, which include diseases that lead to infertility. [5]
• Inflammation of the stomach (in English: Gastritis) and pancreas (in English: Pancreatitis), which affects the digestive process, and causes pain in the abdomen and constant diarrhea, and alcohol is responsible for about 60% of cases of pancreatitis. [5]

Addiction to alcohol

Alcohol addiction is defined as having unhealthy and dangerous drinking habits. A person is considered to have alcohol addiction if he has three or more of the following problems within one year: [6]

• Inability to stop drinking or control the amount of drink consumed.
• The need to drink more amounts to get the same effect.
• Having withdrawal symptoms, which include stomach upset, sweating, tremors, and anxiety when you stop drinking.
• Spending a long time drinking or waking up from the influence of a drink, or giving up other activities in exchange for drinking.
• Previous failure to stop drinking or reduce the amount of drinking.
• Continuing to drink even though this harms social relationships, or causes physical problems.

Alcohol addiction is considered a chronic disease in itself, and it has symptoms that develop in a known way. It is a disease that needs treatment that may require a stay in the hospital or in a treatment center.

References

1. ^ ^{A b t w c h x d y t g o u r z i J p} Sharon , Rady Rolfes, Kathryn Pinna, And Ellie Whitney 's (2006), Understanding the Normal And Clinical Nutrition , The United States Of America: of Thomson Wadswoth, . Page 240 -249. Edited.
2. ↑ "Alcohol" , World Health Organization , Retrieved 15-6-2016. Edited.
3. ↑ "No 'safe' limit: Alcohol Health Alliance Responds to New CMO Drinking Guidelines" , Institute of Alcohol Studies , Retrieved 6/15/2016. Edited.
4. ^ ^{A b} "Alcohol Effects" , of WebMD , Retrieved 15-6-2016. Edited.
5. ^ ^{A b t w c h x d y} , David Freeman (15-9-2011), "12 Health Risks , Of Chronic Heavy Drinking" , of WebMD , Retrieved 15-6-2016. Edited.
6. ↑ "Substance Abuse and Addiction - Topic Overview" , WebMD , 26-3-2014, Retrieved 15-6-2016. Edited.