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List of Diseases Caused by Alcohol     

The choice to drink alcohol is completely personal. Many people drink it occasionally, while others consume it as a stress reliever, social enhancer, or just as the mood demands. The amount of alcohol one consumes varies from moderate to excessive. People who drink alcohol excessively encounter multiple problems including losing control, feeling of anticipation, straining finances, impending brain activities and more. 

On the other hand, Alcohol is typically a waste substance that the body strives to eliminate. It can have an impact in multiple ways even when consumed in very little amount. But that's not all it does. Any individual who consumes it should know that there is a long list of diseases caused by alcohol. If you are wondering what those are? Then read until the end to discover more. 

• Heart Diseases

One of the first on the list of diseases caused by alcohol is heart disease. When any individual consumes alcohol, the heart tends to become weaker and the arteries may narrow over time. This makes it difficult for the heart to pump blood throughout the body. 

When the alcohol is consumed, it passes through the heart and harms the cells present there. The function of the heart is hampered which makes it daunting for it to control the blood flow. Eventually, this causes the heart to thin out and swell. Most of the time, individuals even encounter problems like heart failure in worse cases. 

But before the alcohol heart stroke occurs, some other symptoms that one may go through include fatigue, abnormal heartbeat, difficulty in breathing, and others. Additionally, if you have already encountered a heart attack, then drinking alcohol after a stroke is not recommended.

• Gout

Besides the popular disease heart where alcohol and stroke are often related, another health issue that one may encounter is Gout. It is basically a painful form of arthritis that is seen in individuals who consume alcohol excessively.

Gout leads to causing the feet and toes red, hot, swollen as well as stiff. This happens as alcohol interferes in between and releases itself instead of the uric acid from the kidney. It increases the chances of uric acid accumulating in the bloodstream. Also, gout attacks can unexpectedly happen which can be very painful.

• Diabetes 

Alcohol and blood pressure problems are widely known. But you must also know that alcohol affects the liver's ability to control the levels of blood sugar. When any individual consumes too much alcohol, it leads the liver to eliminate it from the blood instead of controlling blood sugar. 

Additionally, it makes the body less sensitive to insulin causing Type 2 diabetes. Simply put, Alcohol can significantly worsen the diabetes condition and is also linked to poor dietary habits. Lastly, it also leads to hurting one's daily physical activities. 

• Digestive System Problems 

Another health problem in the list of diseases caused by alcohol is this. Most of the harm is caused here. The intestines have a harder time managing the germs and absorbing nutrients when any individual consumes alcohol. This can lead to causing malnutrition. 

In addition, excessive alcohol consumption in any person damages and inflames the mucous cells of the stomach. Other than that, a few other dangers of drinking alcohol include damaged salivary glands, tooth decay, stomach ulcers, reflux diseases, heartburn, gum diseases, internal bleeding, haemorrhoids, and gastroenteritis. 

• Cancer

Cancer is another risk of drinking alcohol that is significantly increased if any individual consumes it for a long time. The risk of cancer increases because it contains substances which have the potential to damage DNA, proteins and lipids. 

It interferes with the ability of the body to absorb nutrients which are needed to fight cancer. Also, it increases the levels of oestrogen that may lead to breast cancer. Some other types of cancer 

risks of alcohol use include throat and head cancer, neck cancer, stomach cancer, liver tumour, mammary cancer, colorectal cancer, intestinal cancer and more.

• Liver Diseases

Contrary to health-related issues, another risk factor for alcoholism is liver disease. Usually, a significant portion of liver disease development is influenced by genetics. Even though some heavy drinkers never undergo liver issues, drinking more alcohol increases its chances anyway. 

Additionally, the risks increase more when it is combined with drugs like Dayquil. Some of the types of liver diseases that one may encounter include fatty liver disease, alcohol hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, etc. On the other hand, women are more prone to liver diseases when compared to men. However, if you are consuming alcohol for a longer time, then know some of the early signs include low vigour, lower appetite, abdominal pain, nausea, and more.

• Lung Problems 

Abuse of alcohol raises the risk of lung problems. When any individual consumes alcohol, it compromises the vital cellular process in the lungs. These cellular flaws enhance the vulnerability to causing life-threatening lung diseases. Alcohol-related lung diseases can be really fatal. Heavy drinkers must know that excessive drinking gradually changes the airways which interfere with inhalation. 

It lowers salivation and leads to increasing the risk of oral bacteria. Besides just lung illness, this may cause oral infections as well. Alcohol consumption can also weaken the body's defence mechanism against infection and raise the danger of bacteria getting into the lungs. Moreover, other alcohol health risks include respiratory distress syndrome, acute lung damage, pneumonia, tuberculosis, respiratory syncytial virus infection and more. 

• Pancreatitis 

Excessive drinking can cause pancreatic inflammation further leading to pancreatic scarring. When the pancreatitis precedes, it leads to acute pancreatitis which is a transient disorder. It is also known as pancreatic inflammation and is completely reversible. Some of the symptoms of this include vomiting, nausea, stomach pain and more. 

On the other hand, when the pancreas has sustained damage but the inflammation has subsided, it causes chronic pancreatitis. Some of its symptoms include diabetes and gastrointestinal. Any individual can lessen the chance of developing acute pancreatitis if the consumption of alcohol is lowered and can regulate the symptoms of chronic pancreatitis.