Navigating Health

Archive for February 13th, 2010

Alcohol is enjoyed by people around the world at all kinds of celebration and social occasion. It has a relaxing effect and complements the taste of many foods, but it can also cause considerable physical and psychological ill-health. A moderate intake of alcohol may protect against heart disease, but excessive binge drinking or sustained high in takes of alcohol can damage the liver irreparably and reduces life expectancy. Alcohol abuse and dependency can also cause or lead to serious physical, psychological and social problems. When you drink alcohol, a small amount is absorbed in the stomach but the majority slips into your blood stream via the small intestine. From here it goes to the liver, whose role it is to detoxify the blood and break down most of the alcohol.

Excess alcohol then travels around the body, affecting different organs in various ways. Initially, alcohol depresses your central nervous system, leading to feelings of well being and confidence and impaired judgment and thought processes. Your skin becomes redder as alcohol causes blood vessels into the skin to dilate. Alcohol also has a diuretic effect and so increases urine production, leaving you dehydrated. Heavier drinking may result in further effects on the nervous system, which include slurred speech, memory loss, lack of coordination and control of your body’s movements, and aggressive and antisocial behavior patterns.

Moderate alcohol consumption appears to have beneficial effects on the circulation and research has shown that it may even have protective effects on your heart. Scientists are studying different alcoholics and it is believed that red wine might offer significant cardio-protective benefits. If you are planning to drive or operate machinery then any alcoholic drink, no matter how small, will affect your ability.