American Medical Association Family Medical Guide - American Medical Association [473]
Heavy drinking (the consumption of more than two drinks a day for men and more than one drink a day for women) can cause the following health problems:
• Cardiomyopathy Damage to the heart that can lead to congestive heart failure (see page 570).
• Liver disease Scarring of the liver (cirrhosis; see page 790) and alcoholic hepatitis, which is inflammation of the liver.
• Pancreatitis Inflammation of the pancreas (see page 799).
• Cancer of the mouth, throat, and voice box The risk of developing these cancers rises significantly in people who also smoke.
• Vitamin deficiencies Not eating a nutritious diet can cause vitamin deficiencies, which can damage the brain, heart, and nerves.
• Nerve damage This damage occurs primarily in the nerves of the arms and legs.
• Brain damage Excessive alcohol intake is toxic to brain cells; the death of brain cells can lead to dementia.
WARNING!
Some People Should Never Drink
For most adults, drinking moderate amounts of alcohol (two drinks a day for men and one drink a day for women) poses little health risk and, doctors believe, may even be beneficial. But some people should never drink alcohol. Do not drink if you:
• Are pregnant or are trying to become pregnant (alcohol can seriously harm a developing fetus).
• Plan to drive or use high-speed machinery (alcohol can impair your judgment and slow your reactions).
• Take certain over-the-counter or prescription drugs such as some antianxiety medications (see page 713), antidepressants (see page 712), or antiseizure drugs, which can interact with alcohol and cause problems.
• Have health problems (such as liver disease) that could be made worse by drinking. Ask your doctor if you have a condition that could be worsened by drinking.
• Are a recovering alcoholic (which puts you at risk of a relapse).
• Are under age 21 (because your brain and nervous system are still developing and could be harmed by excessive alcohol intake).
Heavy drinking also increases a woman’s risk of the bone-thinning disorder osteoporosis (see page 989) and possibly breast cancer (see page 857). Alcohol’s tendency to loosen inhibitions can make you more likely to engage in risky behaviors such as driving while intoxicated or having unprotected sex. Women who drink even small amounts of alcohol during pregnancy risk harming their fetus; fetal alcohol syndrome (see page 409) is the most common preventable cause of mental retardation in the United States.
Symptoms
People who are dependent on or addicted to alcohol have a strong need or compulsion to drink that cannot be overcome by willpower. If they do not have access to alcohol, they experience severe withdrawal symptoms, including nausea, sweating, tremors, and anxiety. They often feel that they are not able to limit or control their drinking once they start. In addition, their tolerance for alcohol increases and they need to drink increasing amounts of alcohol to feel intoxicated.
Denial is a significant psychological trait of people who are dependent on alcohol. They seldom acknowledge that they have a problem. They also may become depressed, jealous, resentful, or paranoid (unreasonably fearing that other people are hostile or plotting against them). Eventually, they can experience loss of memory and concentration, along with an inability to meet the demands of their job. Physically, alcohol dependence can produce a flushed, veiny face; bruises on the body; a husky voice; trembling hands; and chronic gastritis (inflammation of the stomach; see