The Effect Of Alcohol On The Human Body

Profound changes in the personality of a person who abuses  alcohol , and even more so, an alcoholic patient, develop gradually. They are based on the direct effect  of ethanol  on metabolic processes occurring in body cells . Therefore, the harmful effect  of alcohol  extends not only to the nervous system, but also to almost all human organs and tissues.

What happens when alcohol enters the body

The body constantly contains a small amount of ethyl alcohol , which is formed at intermediate stages of carbohydrate metabolism, or as a result of fermentation processes in the digestive tract. Its concentration in the blood does not exceed 0.1-0.3 g/l. A small amount of ethanol entering the blood as a result of these processes is not dangerous, as it is quickly neutralized by the enzyme systems of the liver and other tissues.

Reactions take place differently when large doses of alcohol enter the body from the external environment. Alcohol is quickly absorbed by the mucous membrane of the mouth, stomach and intestines. About 20% of ingested alcohol is absorbed in the stomach and about 80% - in the small intestine. After consuming alcohol on an empty stomach, its maximum concentration is observed after 30-60 minutes. After eating, the concentration of alcohol in the blood increases more slowly, so its maximum is observed after 1.5-2 hours. At the same time, part of the alcohol (up to 30%) binds to food and does not enter the bloodstream. Free alcohol completely disappears from the bodyafter 5-15 hours after consumption. The largest amount of absorbed ethanol is concentrated in the brain and liver, less in other organs (lungs, kidneys, muscles, etc.).

About 90-95% of the consumed alcohol is oxidized and only a small part is excreted in the urine (2-4%) and through the lungs with exhaled air (3-7%). The rate of alcohol oxidation varies depending on the individual characteristics of the body , it is genetically determined and ranges from 4 to 14 g/h in different people.

The initial stage of ethanol breakdown is carried out mainly in the liver under the influence of the alcohol dehydrogenase enzyme, which converts alcohol into acetaldehyde. Then acetaldehyde is carried by the blood flow to all organs and tissues, where it undergoes further chemical transformation: under the action of the enzyme acetaldehyde dehydrogenase, free acetate is formed and bound - in the form of acetyl coenzyme A. These compounds enter the Krebs cycle (citric acid cycle) and through a series of intermediate stages decompose to СО2 and H2О.

In addition to the main process, ethyl alcohol is destroyed in other ways, also turning into acetaldehyde. These pathways of ethanol metabolism become important during chronic alcohol consumption . That is why the maximum tolerated dose of ethyl alcohol increases among alcoholics .

Acetaldehyde is a chemically active and highly toxic compound. Therefore, the effect of alcohol on biochemical and functional processes in the body , on the structure of cells and tissues consists essentially of the effects of two substances - ethyl alcohol and acetaldehyde, which is formed from it.

Beneficial effects of alcohol

After consumption, alcohol is concentrated in the brain (the concentration of ethyl alcohol in the brain is 1.75 times higher than in the blood). After concentration, alcohol has the following effect on the brain:

• Reduces the excitability of nerve cells - a calming effect.

• Improves mood, causes a state of euphoria.

So, under the influence of alcohol  , a person relaxes, wants to have fun. This is the main reason people drink alcoholic beverages. Of course, alcohol consumption leads to many negative consequences, however:

• Small portions of alcohol are an available and common means of relieving nervous overload, fatigue and difficulty in communication.

• Regular medical studies claim that moderate portions of alcohol have a positive effect on the activity of the cardiovascular system, prevent senile dementia, impotence, etc.

Harmful effects of alcohol

Alcohol is a poison that destroys cells (this is why cuts and wounds are treated with alcohol to kill germs). Ethyl alcohol accumulates in the brain and liver (if we take the standard blood alcohol content as 1, then in the liver it will be equal to 1.5, and in the brain - 1.75) - respectively, primarily killing cells in these organs. The concentration of ethanol , after which brain cells begin to die, is reached after consuming more than just 20 ml of ethyl alcohol in men and 10 ml in women. Accordingly, after consumption of 20 ml of ethyl alcohol , the relaxing effect of alcoholbecomes pronounced, but liver and brain cells do not die yet - this is what people say when they talk about the possibilities of so-called moderate alcohol consumption .

• Mutagenic cells of one's own body in an adult organism are mostly destroyed by the immune system (when this does not happen, a person gets cancer, in alcoholics it is cancer of the liver, esophagus, stomach, and oral cavity).

• Mutations of germ cells are not manifested in the body of an adult, in which they are formed, but they are clearly expressed in the children of this person.

These disorders do not consist in mutations, but in the improper interaction of the cells of the developing fetus. The greatest danger to the brain: children of alcoholics are very often mentally retarded. In addition, the appearance of distortions is also possible: damage to the heart, underdevelopment of limbs, kidneys, etc.

After consumption, it is concentrated in the brain, where it acts on 2 groups of neurotransmitters.

• Activates gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors — one of the main inhibitory mediators of the nervous system. Cell excitation decreases, the human body calms down.

• It enhances the synthesis of the human body 's own opiates : endorphins (hormones of pleasure), and also dopamine, a mediator that activates pleasure centers. A person experiences a state of euphoria.

Regular consumption of alcohol modifies the metabolism in the body :

• Ethanol becomes a full-time energy producer, since it is much easier to get energy from  alcohol than from food. But all other necessary nutrients and vitamins cannot be obtained from alcoholic beverages, so alcoholics suffer from dystrophy and vitamin deficiency.

• Artificial stimulation causes the body to produce less of its own opiates and GABA. Without these substances, a person is dissatisfied, which happens after drinking alcohol . This leads to the development of mental dependence, and then other drug addiction syndromes.

The effect of alcohol on human organs

The brain is the main consumer of energy. The destructive effect of alcohol on the brain consists in the disruption of oxygen supply to neurons as a result of alcohol intoxication. Alcoholic dementia, which occurs with constant consumption of alcoholic beverages, is the result of the death of brain cells.

Irreversible consequences of excessive alcohol consumption : damage to brain functions caused by damage to the cells of the cortex of the large hemispheres - the thinking area of ​​the brain. Autopsies of deceased alcoholics, even at a relatively young age, often show significant depletion of the brain, in particular, the cortices of the large hemispheres.

The destructive effect of alcohol is manifested in all systems of the human body (nervous, circulatory, digestive). In our time, it has also been proven that alcoholism has a detrimental effect on the development of acute chronic diseases.

It occupies one of the leading places in terms of population mortality. Under the influence of alcohol , the heart muscle is affected, which causes serious diseases, and in some cases death. X-ray examination often reveals an increase in the volume of the heart. Even in healthy people , heart rhythm disturbances appear after consuming a large dose of alcohol , but they disappear gradually and on their own. Alcohol abuse leads to the development of hypertension, ischemic heart disease, heart attacks.

The respiratory process of the human body consists of four stages. Violation of at least one of them causes serious breathing disorders. At the first stage of chronic alcoholism , there is some stimulation of the function of external breathing: the frequency and volume of breathing increases. As the disease progresses, further deterioration of breathing develops, which manifests itself in the occurrence of such diseases as bronchitis, tuberculosis, emphysema of the lungs, etc.

Those who suffer from chronic alcoholism often have disorders of the digestive tract, since the mucous membrane of the stomach is primarily exposed to the poisonous effect of alcohol . They develop such diseases as ulcers of the duodenum and stomach, gastritis, etc. With the development of alcohol addiction, salivary gland dysfunction and other pathological disorders occur.

Takes a special place among the lesions of the organs of the digestive system. The liver is the main "chemical laboratory" of the body , which provides an anti-toxic function and exchange of basic nutrients: fats, proteins, carbohydrates, water. Under the influence of alcohol, the functions of the liver are disturbed, which causes cirrhosis (fatty degeneration) of the liver.

The vast majority of patients with alcoholism suffer from impaired excretory function of the kidneys. There are failures in the work of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system, accordingly, there are failures in the regulation of kidney activity. The harmful effect  of alcohol is also observed on the delicate renal epithelium (protective tissue lining the inner surface of the organs), which significantly disrupts kidney function.

Alcoholism is accompanied by a number of abnormalities in the psyche - hallucinations, muscle cramps, numbness of body parts, sometimes sharp weakness in the limbs (wobbly legs). Paralysis of certain groups of muscles, in particular, of the lower limbs, often occurs. With abstinence from alcohol, these symptoms disappear.

Alcohol has a negative effect on the work of the human immune system: it causes disruption of blood formation processes, prevents the formation of lymphocytes, provokes the development of allergies, etc.

To a large extent, the negative effect of alcohol is reflected in the work of the human sex glands. 1/3 of patients with alcoholism and those who abuse alcohol note a decrease in sexual function. In men, as a result of the so-called  alcoholic impotence, there are various disturbances in the activity of the nervous system (reactive depressions, neuroses, etc.). In women under the influence of alcohol , menopause occurs early, the ability to give birth decreases, toxicoses occur more often during pregnancy.

Alcohol abuse often leads to muscle weakness and exhaustion. Alcohol can damage muscles directly. 30-50% of cases of excessive alcohol consumption are accompanied by skin diseases. Skin damage is a consequence of both direct alcohol exposure and disturbances in liver function and nutrition.

It is the most severe form of alcohol intoxication. Causes 1-2% of fatal cases even with intensive medical treatment, in the absence of treatment mortality reaches 20%. White fever is characterized by hallucinations, blackouts, and disorientation, accompanied by tremors, agitation, rapid pulse, high blood pressure, and fever. Most people suffering from alcoholism need medical help during the detoxification period (dry period). The duration of the period can be from 1-2 days to a week.

Constant consumption of alcohol leads to premature aging and disability. The life expectancy of persons prone to drunkenness is 15-20 years less than the statistical average.

How the level of alcohol in the blood affects the behavior and state of a person

Blood alcohol content

Human condition

0.2 g/l 

Friendliness, the feeling of warmth, the speed of visual reaction decreases

0.6 g/l

Good general well-being, mental relaxation, slight decrease in cognitive abilities

0.9 g/l

Talkativeness, increased emotionality, feelings are suppressed, control weakens

1.2 g/l

Slurred speech, unsteady gait

1.5 g/l

Poisoning

2 g/l

Nausea, depression, loss of ability to work, loss of control over one's own body

3 g/l

Stupor

4 g/l

Loss of consciousness, comatose state

6 g/l

Death caused by heart and respiratory failure

How to reduce the negative effects of alcohol

Alcohol has the ability to remove fluid from the body . Because if you are going to drink alcohol , drink an additional 1-2 liters of water before that.

Carbon dioxide accelerates the assimilation of alcohol .

A full stomach slows down the absorption of alcohol . Thereby giving the body time to gradually excrete it.

Yes, fats have the ability to create a protective film that prevents the stomach from absorbing alcohol . However, a lot of fatty food will do more harm than good.

Follow the 1 hard drink per 1 hour rule. If you just want to make company, and not get drunk, this is the best option. If you follow this dosage, the body will have enough time to excrete alcohol in a timely manner .

Products that remove alcohol from the body

Many harmful substances accumulate in the human body . One of them is none other than alcohol . The following products can help remove alcohol  from  the body :

• The main benefit of lemon is the presence of vitamin C, which allows you to dissolve ethyl alcohol and remove it from the body .

• Parsley is a powerful antioxidant in itself, helping to remove poisons from the body .

• Green tea, like parsley, is a powerful antioxidant and also restores liver cells.

• Garlic helps the body fight infections.

• Cabbage is also a product that removes poisons from the body , its effect is similar to parsley.

• Fresh orange juice.