By Tanisha Jindal
The consumption of alcohol is a subject that has been under the medical microscope for a very long time. The recreational ingestion of alcohol has been increasing gradually as the substance is more readily available in many areas of the country.
It is important to understand how the body reacts to alcohol to make an informed decision about its use.
Here is how alcohol affects the human body-
Central Nervous System (CNS) - Alcohol is a CNS depressant. It affects neurotransmitters like GABA, and glutamate and exerts influence on the limbic region of the brain.
It causes slowing of reflexes, difficulty in speech and reasoning, altered moods and feelings and induces sleep.
Respiratory System - Alcohol irritates the buccal and pharyngeal mucosa which may stimulate respiration transiently. It renders chronic alcoholics more susceptible to diseases like tuberculosis and pneumonia due to impairment of immune function.
Cardiovascular System - Alcohol in small doses causes warm and flushed skin.
Moderate doses may cause a rise in heart rate and blood pressure whereas high doses cause depression of the vasomotor center in the brain leading to a fall in BP.
Gastro-intestinal system - Alcohol use is associated with chronic gastritis. Vomiting may occur after an episode of heavy drinking. Heavy drinking can also cause acute pancreatitis.
Liver - Increased consumption of alcohol can lead to the build-up of fats in the liver, which if left unchecked can progress to hepatitis. Chronic alcoholism exposes the liver to oxidative stress. Metabolism of alcohol produces Acetaldehyde, which can cause inflammation and hepatocellular damage.
Prolonged stress on the liver along with nutritional deficiencies can lead to cirrhosis which is a stage of significant irreversible scarring of liver tissue.
Kidney - Alcohol is a diuretic. A diuretic is a substance that causes increased production of urine. It may cause disturbances in the regulation of electrolytes and the acid-base balance. However, it does not directly impair renal function.
Endocrine System - Small to moderate amounts of alcohol intake cause the release of Adrenaline which causes an increase in blood sugar, increase in heart rate, dilatation of pupils, and perspiration.
High doses can lead to hypoglycemia (reduced blood sugar) which requires urgent attention.
Other effects - Alcohol may increase libido but chronic drinking can cause infertility in both men and women.
Alcohol causes muscle weakness and myopathy in chronic cases.
Now that a clear picture of how alcohol affects the body has been established, here are some common myths associated with its use-
Myth 1. Alcohol helps you sleep better.
Fact 1. Alcohol causes poor quality of sleep by disturbing REM cycles and may aggravate sleep apnoea.
Myth 2. A cold beer is a good way to beat the summer heat.
Fact 2. Alcohol is a dehydrating substance that causes an increase in urine production and may lead to electrolyte imbalance.
Myth 3. Alcohol increases sex drive.
Fact 3. While alcohol can increase libido transiently, it impairs the ability to perform sexually and can also lead to infertility on chronic use.
Myth 4. You cannot get a hangover from a couple of drinks.
Fact 4. A hangover (headache, dry mouth, laziness, disturbed mood) can occur even after 1 drink.
Myth 5. Drinking red wine is good for your health.
Fact 5. Although drinking a small amount of red wine can incur certain health benefits due to the presence of antioxidants, tannins present in red wine can trigger headaches.
Myth 6. Coffee is the best cure for a hangover.
Fact 6. Caffeine can cause narrowing of blood vessels and lead to arrhythmias. Hence it should be avoided as a cure for a hangover.
Myth 7. Eating something after drinking can lower the chances of getting a severe hangover.
Fact 7. Consumption of food before alcohol consumption can reduce the severity of symptoms. Food eaten post-drinking does not help as alcohol absorption from the stomach has already started taking place.
Myth 8. Alcohol can make you happy.
Fact 8. Alcohol, when consumed in small quantities occasionally can cause euphoric feelings but too much consumption or chronic use can lead to depression and social alienation.
Myth 9. Mixing drinks makes you more intoxicated.
Fact 9. It is the total amount of alcohol content in all the beverages combined that causes intoxication and not the type of drink.
Myth 10. Alcohol helps in keeping the body warm.
Fact 10. Alcohol does produce a sense of warmth due to cutaneous and gastric vasodilatation but the blood is cooled due to greater exposure to the environment and hence heat loss increases in colder surroundings. High doses of alcohol depress the temperature regulation center in the brain.
Alcohol has a high potential for abuse and alcohol addiction is a serious problem affecting society. Any medical concerns about its use should be discussed with a medical professional.
Alcohol addiction helplines in India:
National toll free drug de-addiction helpline - 1800110031 AA India helpline - +91 9022771011
