According to the World Health Organization (WHO), alcoholism is the fifth most important risk factor for premature death and disability:
* Reduces life expectancy by 12 years.
* It is responsible for at least 200,000 deaths annually.
* Is involved in half of all deaths from motor vehicle accidents.
* It is the fourth leading cause of suicides.
* It is related to more than 65% of the murders.
Y * is considered the main health problem in developed countries.

Diseases associated with alcohol addiction
The cerebrum and cerebellum are the primary organs affected by alcohol. The first damage usually cause hallucinations, dementia and delirium tremens, which can be fatal. The damage in the second, meanwhile, tend to cause loss of coordination, vertical and memory.

The liver, for its part, is the organ most affected is responsible for metabolizing the alcohol in 90%. Fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis, are among the ailments caused by harmful habit.

But not just the brain and liver are affected by alcoholism: the stomach, pancreas, kidneys, heart, and to the testes and ovaries, may also be harmed.
Why drink alcohol?
According to a report by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the use of substances by family members or friends, sexual abuse, drug use at early ages, as well as violence at home or school, are some of the causes that could lead a person alcoholism.

Psychological and social factors implicated in the causes of this addiction. Among the former are: the need to relieve anxiety, conflict in interpersonal relationships, depression and low self-esteem. Among the latter: the easy availability of alcohol, peer pressure, social acceptance and stressful lifestyle.

The very source adds that are at risk for alcoholism, men who eat 15 or more drinks a week, women who consumed 12 or more drinks on the same period and anyone who drinks five or more drinks per occasion at least Once in the proper period. (A drink is defined as a bottle of 12-ounce beer, a glass of wine or 5-ounce shot of liquor 1 1 / 2 ounces).

As binge drinking poses serious health risks
Alcohol dependence reduces life expectancy, is linked to half of all deaths in traffic accidents and is one of the causes of suicide.

Miguel is an inveterate alcoholic. At 60 years, has nothing good to tell of his life because of his addiction to alcohol lost family, jobs and prestige. Their only child abandonment can not forgive. Her relatives do to one side. His friends … Miguel has no friends, except for loneliness. Never sought help from a doctor. Never felt sick. But, suffering from alcoholism.

Alcoholism is a chronic disease
More than just a vice, alcoholism is a chronic progressive disease caused by intoxication with ethyl alcohol on a regular and prolonged. Such wasteful consumption often interferes with physical and mental health of those affected and their family responsibilities, work or social.

While noting primarily male, an increasing prevalence in females and between young people in general, reporting a high incidence worldwide.

Role of genetics in children of alcoholics
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, United States, studies have shown that genetic factors are closely linked to the likelihood of alcoholism. In fact, today it is known that children of alcoholics are four times more likely to develop this disease than the rest of the population.

However, this genetic predisposition is not the only factor. Own investigations have found that more than half of these descendants do not become alcoholics ever.

This is the case of the son of Miguel, who is not only alcohol, but almost completely abstinent. Knowing firsthand the effects of the disease, does not want for him or his family anything that has to do with the disastrous attacks of evil. In a drink on special occasions to do so without measure every day, there is a long way that he is not ready to go.

Several epidemiological studies indicate a clear relationship between alcohol consumption and liver disease. It has also shown a close correlation between alcoholic cirrhosis mortality per capita per year.

Despite the direct relationship between the amount of alcohol ingested and the risk of liver damage, cirrhosis occurs in only a small proportion of cases. Of all the people who abuse alcohol, about 40 – 50% liver and presents 15 to 20% have cirrhosis.

Alcohol can trigger various clinical in the liver, among which we highlight.

Fatty liver and alcohol

it is the accumulation of fat inside liver cells (hepatocytes). It is the most frequent abnormality observed in most alcoholics. It occurs as a result of changes in fat metabolism induced by alcohol. In some cases produces no clinical manifestations, but in others, causing specific symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort and weight loss.

Alcoholic hepatitis by alcohol

generally they are chronic alcoholics, following a high intake, present a picture of loss of appetite, tiredness, nausea and vomiting. After several days, there is pain in the upper right abdomen, fever and yellowing of the skin and mucous membranes. Alcoholic hepatitis is the step immediately prior to cirrhosis, favoring the continued development of alcohol consumption, especially in women.

Alcoholic liver cirrhosis by alcohol

Cirrhosis is a disease characterized by an alteration in liver architecture and the presence of regenerative nodules surrounded by fibrous tissue. In this type of cirrhosis was reported the same clinical manifestations as those produced by any other cause. But they are more obvious pictures of malnutrition, vitamin deficiency, disorders and delusional tables.

Gastritis is an inflammation of the gastric mucosa. It may be accidental and strong (acute), due to ingestion of poison (usually alcohol, abuse of coffee, exciting or snuff), and chronic, caused by the slow action of the gastric juices. It results in difficulty to digest properly.

Acute gastritis, stomach upset also affects the head, general malaise. It disappears just as aggression. Almost always caused by overeating and drinking. There is also an acute gastritis drug, usually analgesics or anti-inflammatory.

Chronic gastritis, occurs either after the recurrence of acute or especially, by age. It’s like gastric weakening its ability to digest. There is also a chronic atrophic gastritis, compatible with age, which prevents the absorption of B vitamins another type of gastritis prevents absorption of iron deficiency anemia and creates. That is why the elderly are advised to eat a varied diet and digestible.

Some diabetics should not drink because alcohol can worsen their conditions. For example, diabetics with high triglycerides (a type of blood fat) should not consume alcohol because it affects the liver’s ability to remove fat from the bloodstream.

Some studies have reported that consumption of low or moderate alcohol may have a mild protective effect against developing type 2 diabetes. Moreover, studies suggest that for some people with type 2 diabetes even moderate alcohol consumption can induce low blood sugar.

Alcoholic drinks are mostly sugar and high in carbohydrates, depending on the natural compound that is extracted and further handling. Among the highest glycemic index are the beer (for its high-maltose) and fruit liqueurs.

Moreover ethanol itself (not the entire alcoholic beverage) has high power hypoglycemic, by several mechanisms: it prevents gluconeogenesis (formation of new glucose molecules) in the liver, this leads to hypoglycemia especially when glycogen stores are being depleted, for example after intense exercise or prolonged fasting, decreases the response of hormones contrainsulares therefore aggravate hypoglycemia caused by insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents and finally, increases pancreatic insulin secretion after ingestion sugar (this of course in no diabetic patients).

However, it may once again the main danger for the diabetic is its ability to mask these hypos.

A high fever may be accompanied by a delusional state is in spoken, seen or lived, no memory, different situations. The toxic products that act directly on the CNS (Central Nervous System) are those which arise more frequently delusions. Almost all drugs are produced, although some, such as hallucinogens, are characterized precisely by that.

But let’s focus on those produced by alcohol, and which is characterized by varying degrees. The specialists come to distinguish sub acute, sharp, and state of hallucination, delusions and hallucinatory psychosis Jealous. The damage that the alcohol produced in the brain causes these changes and some others, leading to alcoholic dementia.

Encephalosis sub acute or sub acute alcoholic. Appears in alcoholics between 30-40 years. Start with nightmares that disrupt sleep, repeating several nights to be continuous. Sweating profusely, is agitated, speaking in broken phrases and ask for help. He gives orders; relive scenes from their regular work. There vision of animals (zoopsia). Temperature normal or slightly elevated. The difference with the delirium tremens is one of degree.

Or acute delirium tremens. Arguably, it is the same as above, but more pronounced in every way. It has a more abrupt initiation and more serious. Sweating, trembling and shaking, total sleep loss and high fever. The rise of fever is a symptom of poor prognosis, as there may be hyperthermic coma. Those who have been affected by this psychosis later give the highest percentage of abstinence. The patient suffers a lot, have real anxiety and fear with zoopsia. Go and live like the animals they eat you invade or physically.

Alcoholic hallucinosis. Are the insults, harassment and threats those excessive drinkers and can hear and believe. They produced a situation so desperate that during psychiatric treatment is recommended for extreme vigilance what causes them agony of which neither knows nor can they defend themselves.

Jealous delusions. It is a fit of jealousy motivated exclusively by alcohol. It is the individual alcoholic who accuses his innocent wife of having affairs. The reactions of aggression and violence against alleged infidelity and towards their children are scary. As guilty even includes his in-laws. Often the killing.

Hallucinatory psychosis. It is very similar to the “acute alcohol hallucinosis. It is less abrupt and usually occurs in demented patients with delusional themes unclear.

Delirium by alcohol withdrawal or delirium tremens, usually begins between 48 and 72 hours after the last intake, and precedes the first signs and symptoms of abstinence, although these symptoms can be masked or delayed by associated diseases or taking medication.

Signs of sympathetic hyperactivity (such as tachycardia, hypertension, fever and diaphoresis or excessive sweating), are hallmarks of alcohol withdrawal delirium, and often profound. The mortality rate is estimated between 1% and 5%, but increases if diagnosis is delayed, if done improperly treat, or concurrent medical conditions.

As to the causes, any excuse seems sufficient to trigger the pain, but actually the origin lies mostly in a dilation of the arteries and vessels of the “dura”, one of the layers covering the brain. That explains one of the most common manifestations of headache, throbbing character, i.e. a succession of “beats” that sometimes give us the impression of being real hammering. It seems that the heart has been moved to the brain. Do not forget that stress adversely affects blood circulation.

And although it seems a paradox, sometimes the headache arises precisely when we are relaxed or want to be. What happens is that the accumulated stress is expected at time of quiet to blame us. Should be subsumed under these vascular headaches that occur as a reflection of situations that disturb, ultimately, normal circulation, such as hypertension or the abundance of toxins in the blood (coffee, snuff, alcohol, are substances taken in high doses, “flooding” the blood of toxic elements).

Apart from toxins, alcohol itself is a factor. There are spirits that have more power than others to trigger the headache. It has been found, for example, wine or liquor with higher content of “histamine” easily produces headaches.

Alcoholism can also be linked to other forms of cancer, including lung, stomach, pancreas and endometrial.

Moreover, some studies have suggested that moderate consumption of alcohol may be associated with a reduced risk of cancer of the bladder, kidneys, ovaries and prostate. However, we do not promote alcohol consumption for health benefits.

Alcoholism may not be the direct cause of cancer development, but probably can enhance the carcinogenic effects of other substances like cigarette smoke. About 75% of esophageal cancers and 50% of cancers of the mouth, throat and larynx are attributed to alcoholism; alcohol is also associated with increased risk for colorectal cancers.

Smoking combined with drinking enhances the risk for cancers dramatically. The risk for liver cancer is increased in alcoholics, even moderate drinking three to nine drinks a week may increase the prospects for development of breast cancer in women.

According to an article published on August 3, 2006 by Reuters, an international team of researchers says that 3.6% of all cancer cases worldwide are related to alcohol, leading to a 3.5% all cancer deaths.

“It has established a causal link between alcohol and cancers of the oral cavity, pharynx, esophagus, colon, rectum, liver, larynx and chest,” said Dr. Paolo Boffetta of the International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon (France), and colleagues.

In their study, published in its entirety in the International Journal of Cancer (August 15, 2006) entitled “For other cancers, a causal association is suspected, the researchers rated the number of cancer cases and deaths from this disease in 2002 attributable to alcohol consumption by sex and WHO sub region, using various data sources.

According to them, in that year, there were 389,100 cases of cancer attributable to alcohol consumption, representing 3.6% of all cancer cases. The number of cancer deaths attributable to alcohol consumption was 232,900 (3.5% of all cancer deaths). Over 60% of alcohol-related cancers in men were in the upper digestive tract and approximately 60% of alcohol-related cancers in women originate in the chest. Moreover, the burden of cancer attributable to alcohol was especially high in Central and Eastern Europe.

Moreover, according to Boffetta and colleagues, there is consistent evidence that moderate alcohol consumption reduces the risk of other diseases such as heart disease, stroke or gallstones.

It is the accumulation of fat inside liver cells (hepatocytes). It is the most frequent abnormality observed in most alcoholics. It occurs as a result of changes in fat metabolism induced by alcohol. In some cases produces no clinical manifestations, but in others, causing specific symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort and weight loss.

Alcoholic hepatitis by alcohol

Generally they are chronic alcoholics, following a high intake, present a picture of loss of appetite, tiredness, nausea and vomiting. After several days, there is pain in the upper right abdomen, fever and yellowing of the skin and mucous membranes. Alcoholic hepatitis is the step immediately prior to cirrhosis, favoring the continued development of alcohol consumption, especially in women.

Alcoholic liver cirrhosis by alcohol

Cirrhosis is a disease characterized by an alteration in liver architecture and the presence of regenerative nodules surrounded by fibrous tissue. In this type of cirrhosis was reported the same clinical manifestations as those produced by any other cause. But they are more obvious pictures of malnutrition, vitamin deficiency, disorders and delusional tables.

Several epidemiological studies indicate a clear relationship between alcohol consumption and liver disease. It has also shown a close correlation between alcoholic cirrhosis mortality per capita per year.

Despite the direct relationship between the amount of alcohol ingested and the risk of liver damage, cirrhosis occurs in only a small proportion of cases. Of all the people who abuse alcohol, about 40 – 50% liver and presents 15 to 20% have cirrhosis.

Alcohol can trigger various clinical in the liver, among which we highlight.