It is a fact and a reality that alcohol abuse can cause major health problems that are life threatening. Cirrhosis of the liver is the number one health risk. But it is not the only one. There are more than 60 other diseases linked to alcohol abuse. It can cause damage to the different body systems causing them to malfunction and worse, not function anymore. When this happens death becomes inevitable. Alcohol is good when taken moderately. But when abused, the body suffers.
Top Life Threatening diseases Caused by Alcohol Abuse
- Cirrhosis – Chronic drinking can scar the liver tissue and lead to cirrhosis. The liver tissue is so scarred that it cannot function anymore. Records show that many people die of this disease and most of them are alcohol abusers.
- Cancer – Heavy and constant drinking increases the risk of developing cancer. The alcohol is converted into acetaldehyde, or commonly known as carcinogen. It is a substance that causes cancer. Most heavy drinkers suffer cancer of the mouth, throat, voice box, esophagus, liver, breast and colorectal regions.
- Cardiovascular disease – Alcohol raises the level of fats in the blood known as triglycerides. This leads to high blood pressure and stroke. It can also cause weakening of the muscles of the heart and heart-beat abnormalities, both atrial and ventricular fibrillation.
- Seizures – chronic or heavy drinking can trigger epilepsy to people who did not have any condition before they started drinking. Prolonged epilepsy is a life threatening condition. If you are epileptic, alcohol interferes with some of your medication.
- High Blood Pressure – Alcohol can cause hypertension or high blood pressure. The more a person drinks alcohol, the greater is his risk of developing high blood pressure. When hypertension becomes chronic it can lead to other health conditions such as heart disease, stroke and kidney disease.
- Pancreatitis – Heavy drinking causes pancreatitis. It is a dangerous condition where the pancreas get inflamed. A person with pancreatitis will experience symptoms of nausea, abdominal pains and vomiting. Chronic pancreatitis may lead to diabetes. Diabetes may lead to more serious medical conditions that are life threatening.
- Infectious Diseases – Heavy drinkers are more likely to get infection because alcohol weakens the immune system and makes it hard to fight off viruses, germs and all types of infectious diseases. They are likely to contact pneumonia, tuberculosis, HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.