5 Signs Alcohol Is Destroying Your Body
Alcohol abuse can take many forms. Some people are able to drink a lot without it having any detrimental impact on their day to day life (sometimes referred to as high functioning alcoholics). However, in the long run, the negative effects of alcohol may catch up with these people in the form of health problems. Below are just a few signs that alcohol could be destroying your body - and that it may be time to cut back.
Gut issues
A night of heavy drinking can typically make people nauseous the night after - or possibly cause the runs. However, in the long run, heavy drinking can cause more serious gut issues.
If you’ve started to develop abdominal pain and you’ve lost your appetite, you could possibly be experiencing gastritis. This is when the stomach’s protective lining wears away, leading to irritation from stomach acid and possible ulcers. It could be worth seeing a doctor if you’ve experienced such symptoms.
Some people can also develop problems such as IBS as a result of heavy drinking. Alcohol can irritate the gut and may start to cause flare-ups, which could result in cramping and diarrhea every time you drink even small amounts.
Gut issues aren’t always the result of alcohol and could be due to other factors. It’s always worth seeing a doctor if you are experiencing serious pain or discomfort.
Poor immune system
Do you constantly come down with colds? Do wounds often get infected? It’s possible that your immune system may not be working properly.
Alcohol abuse is one common cause of this. Drinking alcohol every day can suppress the immune system, making it harder for your body to fight off germs and viruses.
Of course, there are other reasons for immune system issues. Seeing a doctor could help you to get the bottom of the problem if you feel like your immune system is down.
Joint pain
Alcohol abuse can make existing joint issues worse. It can also be a cause of joint pain too.
One of the most serious examples is gout. This is when the kidneys start excreting alcohol instead or uric acid. This increases the amount of uric acid in the blood. This uric acid can build up around joints causing hard crystals - resulting in serious joint pain.
If you experience stabbing joint pain (especially in your big toe) it could be worth seeing a doctor. Gout can have other causes as listed here at Mayo Clinic.
Jaundice
Jaundice could be a sign that serious alcohol damage has taken place. This is when the skin and eyes take on a yellowish tone.
Jaundice is sometimes accompanied by stomach pain, stomach swelling or a fever. It is usually a sign of liver failure or pancreatitis - both of which can be caused by years of heavy drinking.
People can develop jaundice for other non-alcohol-related reasons. If you are unsure of what is the cause it could be worth seeing a specialist such as Dr Shakeel Ahmed. Jaundice is not something that should be ignored and could require urgent medical attention.
Memory problems
Heavy drinking can also damage the brain. Many long-term alcoholics can become very forgetful. There are even studies to suggest that alcohol abuse could be a contributing factor to dementia.
Memory problems can occur for all kinds of reasons. This post at Very Well Mind lists a few possible causes.
If you find yourself struggling to give up alcohol you may be dependent on it. As mentioned above this can have detrimental effects on all aspects of your health and wellbeing. It has to be your choice to give up, nobody can force you or coax you into it. There are many ways to get help for addiction and alcohol dependency. You could attend counselling. Another way is to visit your GP and slowly wean yourself off the alcohol. You could also go cold turkey giving it up completely, although this isn’t recommended if you drink a lot of alcohol all the time.
You might benefit from an addiction recovery programme. They can offer you the help and support you need to quit the bad habits in your life. They are understanding of your needs and will help you transition into a newer, healthier you.
