Health: The innocent alcoholic

It was yet another case similar to the other 2, which I had earlier seen. They were young boys barely in their teens, suffering from alcoholic liver disease. I presumed that these were street boys left out loose or boys, “spoilt” by “bad company”. But the precise information which I received was shocking. I was told that these boys have been drinking alcohol with their parents right from when they were capable of eating and drinking i.e. from early childhood. It shows that these parents were ignorant about the toxic effects of alcohol. Alcohol is a substance capable of causing physical and mental dependence. As one drinks regularly body cells get habituated to alcohol, creating the urge to drink more. Once someone becomes an alcoholic, that person suffers from a wide range of psychosomatic, physical, social, work related and financial problems. Alcohol has a depressant effect on the brain. Therefore people after intake of alcohol display abnormalities of behavior. There may be in the form of unexplained crying, dullness, apathy or at times agitation and excess talking. Damage to optic nerve causes sudden blindness and this occurs more often with crude spirits containing methanol or methyl alcohol. Long term abuse of alcohol leads to degeneration of the cerebellum which is responsible for balancing the body. Result is difficulty in walking and doing work because of the tremors and difficulty in maintaining body equilibrium. A state of psychosis can also develop. This causes loss of memory, difficulty in concentration and general apathy. When nerves are affected, one may suffer from tingling, numbness and abnormal sensations in the limbs. Alcohol intake is associated with acute and chronic inflammation of the stomach. People vomiting after a binge of alcohol are a familiar sight. Chronic gastritis causes nausea, bloating and a burning sensation in the stomach. Esophagitis i.e. inflammation of the esophagus or food pipe, similarly causes nausea and a burning sensation in the chest usually aggravated after eating. The Liver bears the brunt of alcohol consumption because it is the site for alcohol metabolism. The damage to liver cells in the early stages can be reversed provided one stops drinking. But as the damage progresses irreversible damage to the liver sets in culminating in liver failure and death. The liver being one of the vital organs of the body, damage to it causes a wide range of problems. Damage to the pancreas also causes severe pain in the upper abdomen radiating to back. All these conditions can turn into cancer if unchecked. Alcohol raises levels of lipids and sugar in blood, aggravating diabetes and problems related to hyperlipidemia such as hypertension, stroke and angina. The muscles of the heart are also affected causing its failure to function. Myopathy i.e. damage to muscles is yet another complication of long term use of alcohol. This causes progressively increasing pain and cramps in limb muscles. Gradually one starts finding it difficult to do simple tasks like getting up from a sitting position, climbing stairs or even combing. The bones become soft making one more prone to fractures. This is more so in women who suffer from osteoporosis due to hormonal effects and calcium deficiency. Apart from this, regular drinking can cause general weakness and malnutrition. Because it supplies only,” empty” calories without any nutrition. The story of effects of alcohol does not end here. In case one wants to give up alcohol, it may be very difficult. The body becomes so much habituated to it that one starts having tremors (delirium tremens). Severe cases can have convulsions like epilepsy. This can develop 3 to 5 hours after the last drink. There may be associated symptoms of anxiety, insomnia, restlessness and sweating. Blood pressure may become high or low. Alcohol being beneficial for the heart in small quantities is much publicized, but it is not a real benefit. Because of the tendency of alcohol to open up blood vessels it causes a sense of flushing and warmth of the face and hands after drinking. Blood vessels of the heart also open slightly due to the same mechanism increasing blood flow. But this supposedly beneficial effect is much less as compared to the damage inflicted by alcohol directly and indirectly on the heart. Considering the harmful effects of alcohol, it is imperative that people should be educated about its potential dangers. In case of addicts, who are willing to give up alcohol, drugs which specifically help in quitting the addiction are used. Tranquilizers and sedatives are given to relieve the symptoms which occur due to withdrawal of alcohol. Nutritional supplements are a must to improve the nutritional status of the alcoholic. However, before one thinks of heading to a clinic for treatment, prevention should be emphasized. This can only be attained through proper sensitization on the dangers of alcohol so that we save many who ‘ignorantly’ imbibe it. Contact: rachna212002@yahoo.co.uk