THINGS YOU MUST KNOW ABOUT ALCOHOL

here are some of the ways alcohol can affect your health

High blood pressure, heart disease, stroke

According to the Department of Health, men who regularly drink more than eight units of alcohol a day are four times more likely to develop high blood pressure. Women who drink six units a day double their risk of high blood pressure.

Cancer

Alcohol is second only to smoking as a risk factor for mouth, throat and neck cancers. As alcohol helps the mouth to absorb smoke, people who smoke and drink alcohol to excess are 30 times more likely to develop mouth cancer.

Drinking too much alcohol also increases the risk of colon and liver cancer, and breast cancer in women. Liver cirrhosis, which can be caused by regularly drinking too much, increases the risk of liver cancer.

Liver disease

Regularly drinking over the limit can cause a buildup of fatty deposits in the liver, known as fatty liver disease. At this stage, cutting back or stopping drinking altogether can save this vital organ.

But continuing to drink at this level can lead to the liver to becoming inflamed, causing hepatitis, and in some cases, even liver failure and death. Through time, a buildup of scar tissue in the liver or fibrosis may result and finally, liver cirrhosis, which is irreversible.

Pancreatitis

Gallstones and heavy drinking are the two most common causes of acute pancreatitis, or inflammation of the pancreas. Around a quarter of cases are thought to be caused by regularly drinking too much. Some people appear to be more susceptible to the condition which can also be extremely painful. Heavy drinking is the most common cause of chronic pancreatitis, where long term inflammation causes permanent damage.

Alcohol poisoning

In general, the human body can only metabolise one unit of alcohol per hour. So drinking a large amount of alcohol in a short time can cause a rapid rise in the blood alcohol concentration. This may continue even when drinking has stopped, as the alcohol in your stomach continues to be absorbed into the bloodstream.

Your blood alcohol concentration can rise to levels which can kill, known as alcohol poisoning. This can also happen when you have stopped drinking, fallen asleep or passed out.

Weight gain

Gram for gram, alcohol is second only to fat as a source of calories. Each UK unit of alcohol contains eight grams of alcohol and seven calories. They are also known as "empty calories," because they are of no nutritional benefit whatsoever.

Sleep problems

Although it's true that alcohol will help you fall asleep faster, it interferes with the normal sleep cycle, causing you to wake up during the night and feel unrefreshed in the morning.

source:http://uk.health.lifestyle.yahoo.net/How-alcohol-can-affect-your-health.htm