Alcohol: effects, uses, and health implications

Alcohol consumption actually depresses the central nervous system, and although it is not a stimulant, individuals who drink alcohol appear stimulated, as speech become free and animated and social inhibitions become lax (Dunlap). However, the occurrence of these effects are due to the fact that alcohol affects the parts of the brain that control judgment, thus the "stimulation" that occurs with alcohol consumption is basically due to a depression of self-control (Dunlap). Depending on what type of alcohol, how much and how quickly an individual consumes the drink, alcohol slows down brain activity, resulting in slurred speech, slowed reaction time, impaired vision and hearing, impaired thinking and memory, and muscle weakness (Dunlap).

Although alcohol is classified as a food, it is not digested but rather enters directly into the blood stream. Because alcohol dilutes itself in the water volume of the body, vital organs, such as the brain, that contain large amounts of water and need a substantial blood supply, are left especially vulnerable (Dunlap). Within minutes of entering the bloodstream, literally every organ and tissue system, including the brain, liver, heart, lungs, pancreas and kidneys, are infiltrated by alcohol (Dunlap).

There are numerous processes of body chemistry and metabolism that are associated with the liver's functions. For example, the liver produces bile which aides in the digestion of fatty foods, and stores and releases sugar. It also manufactures heparin, an anticoagulant, and produces antibodies that deter diseases (Dunlap). The liver is also responsible for ridding the body of poisons, including alcohol, and although it is very effective in cleansing the body of alcohol in small amounts, when the alcohol content is high, imbalances occur that can lead to hypoglycemia, hyperuricemia, fatty liver, and hyperlipermia (Dunlap). Hypoglycemia causes low blood sugar, hyperuricemia leads to arthritis and gout, a fatty liver can cause hepatitis and cirrhosis, and hyperlipermia leads to the build-up of fats in the bloodstream which can ultimately lead to certain heart conditions (Dunlap).

The central nervous system consists of the spinal cord, including the nerves within, and the brain. As Dr. Michaele Dunlap explains, sensory impulses are sent to the central nervous system and motor impulses pass from it, yet when alcohol reacts on the central nervous system, intoxication occurs, which affects emotional and sensory function, judgment, memory, learning ability, and dulls smell and taste sensors (Dunlap). Moreover, as the blood alcohol level rises, the ability to withstand pain increases. Because alcohol affects different parts of the brain at different rates, an individual may experience alternate periods of restlessness and stupor (Dunlap). Long-term effects include tolerance, dependency and irreversible damage to the central nervous system (Dunlap). The most affected organ is the brain, which is subject to alcohol injuries such as memory loss, confusion, and augmentation (hyper-alertness), all of which can result in rapid mood swings, and emotional and behavioral instability (Dunlap).

Alcohol causes red blood cells to clump together resulting in oxygen starvation to tissues and cell death in the brain, which leads to red eyes, capillaries breaks, and/or red, blotchy skin. When blood vessels break n the stomach and esophagus, hemorrhaging, and even death can occur (Dunlap). Alcohol can also lead to anemia, sedation of the bone marrow, and impairs the body's ability to ward off infections (Dunlap). Because alcohol reduces the blood flow, weakness and deterioration of the muscles may result, including heart conditions such as cardiomyopathy and arrhythmia. Moreover, this muscle weakness is also the cause of "hangovers" (Dunlap).

Alcohol also affects the stomach, the pancreas, and the large and small intestines. Because alcohol increases acid in the stomach, gastritis and/or stomach and intestinal ulcers can result (Dunlap). Insulin, produced by the pancreas, is vital in the regulation of sugar levels in the blood. Alcohol increases the blood sugar, which causes the pancreas to respond by producing insulin, leading to a rapid drop in blood sugar (Dunlap). It is estimated that up to 90% of alcoholics suffer from hypoglycemia as a long-term effect, with symptoms that include dizziness, headaches, loss of concentration, depression, tremors, heart palpitations, anxiety, and loss of coordination (Dunlap). When prolonged alcohol consumption, the pancreas may stop producing insulin, resulting in diabetes (Dunlap).

Hormones are controlled by the endocrine system, and includes the pineal, pituitary, thyroid and adrenal glands, as well as the ovaries and testes. Because alcohol sedates these glands, hormones react by under-producing, resulting in an increase to allergies (Dunlap). Alcohol can decrease the frequency of erections in men, even leading to a shrinkage of sex glands, while in women, it can interfere with the normal processes of sexual stimulation, often prohibiting orgasmic response (Dunlap).

Alcohol consumption over a long period of time can also result in infertility in both men and women (Dunlap).

Depending on the individual's age, weight, size, sex, and the amount of alcohol intake, short-term effects of alcohol include dizziness, talkativeness, slurred speech, blurred vision, disturbed sleep, nausea, and vomiting (Alcohol 2006). Even small amounts of alcohol can impair judgment and coordination, thus interfering in activities such as driving a car, and can lead to aggressive behavior, such as spousal abuse and child abuse (Alcohol 2006). Another common short-term effect includes a hangover, which may consists of headache, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, and an increased thirst (Alcohol 2006). Long-term effects of alcohol can lead to permanent damage to vital organs such as the brain and liver, and the cessation of alcohol after prolonged use often leads to tremors, hallucinations, convulsions, malnutrition, and severe anxiety (Alcohol 2006).