Are certain health problems caused by drinking too much alcohol? Despite a number of recent studies that promote alcohol as “healthy,” the line between health and harm is easily crossed. Those who drink more than 2-3 glasses of alcohol a day could suffer from some pretty serious health problems.
Some of the more serious damage caused by drinking too much alcohol:
1. Damage to the brain. Drinking too much alcohol can damage the nervous system and brain cells. It can cause psychological problems such as anxiety and depression. It can also cause problems such as rapid pulse and trembling. Intellectual ability can also be diminished.
2. Drinking too much alcohol can interfere with the digestive system, causing inflammation and increasing the risk of pancreatitis.
3. Diabetes. Damaging the pancreas can lead to diabetes by disrupting insulin production. Damaging the liver by drinking too much alcohol can also make diabetes very difficult to manage.
4. Drinking too much alcohol over a long period of time cand damage the liver and can cause cirrhosis of the liver. And it doesn’t take as many drinks as you might think. For women, it’s 2-3 glasses (of liquor, beer and wine) a day, and for men it’s 3-4 glasses a day.
5. Sexual dysfunction is another health problem often caused by drinking too much. The depressant effect of alocohol can lead to problems like impotence.
Could you give up alcohol for one month? Dr. Phil Hammond is encouraging people in a new charity campaign to go sober for the month of October to explore the health benefits, such as a clearer head and better sleep.
If you think you might be drinking too much alcohol, contact one of our specialists to help determine where you are at and what can done to help you get the situation under control.
