HOW DOES BINGE DRINKING AFFECT THE BODY?

Alcohol affects many of the brain’s processes, including balance, speech, judgment, memory, and problem solving. This can lead to an increased risk of injury or other negative outcomes. Long-term drinking can cause the brain to shrink and users are at an increased risk of stroke, dementia, depression, anxiety, and psychosis. 

Alcohol weakens the heart muscle and can cause alcohol-associated cardiomyopathy. Symptoms include shortness of breath, cough, fatigue, swollen legs, and an irregular heartbeat. Binge drinking and long-term use can lead to an increased risk of stroke, hypertension, arrhythmias, or sudden death from heart failure.

Alcohol inhibits the gag reflex, which can lead to irritants like saliva or vomit to enter the lungs. This can often lead to inflammation or infection. New research recognizes the concept of the “alcohol-impaired lung”. These findings indicate that a person who misuses alcohol may be predisposed to severe lung injury or more prone to infections. 

Alcohol is processed in the liver. Enzymes break down the alcohol into compounds that inflame and damage the liver cells. Long-term use can cause the liver to become fatty and may lead to diseases such as alcoholic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver failure. 

Alcohol travels to the stomach and is mostly absorbed into the bloodstream. The unabsorbed alcohol may stay and irritate the stomach, halting digestion and robbing the body of vitamins and minerals. Chronic irritation can lead to gastritis, ulcers, and bleeding. This can be worsened when drinking and using medications, such as aspirin, that can also cause similar problems. 

Alcohol can interfere with the activity of the enzymes in the intestines, leading to a higher risk of lactose intolerance. Long term use may cause mucosal damage that can lead to a thinning of the intestinal walls and bleeding. Alcohol use also reduces the strength of the muscles in the intestines and can lead to diarrhea.