Physiology

Impact of Alcohol on Physical Health

Alcohol is water soluble which means it can be carried around in the blood stream and thus get into every cell causing many different types of harm through out our bodies.

The physical side effects of drinking can vary quite significantly in terms of type of illness, type of symptoms, time of onset, progression and severity of disease. This can be due to individual differences in our biology for example genetic factors or other diseases also being present.

Our behaviour also plays a role, the types of physical harm seen can depend on an individuals drinking behaviour, there will be injuries people sustain when they are intoxicated - for example cuts, bumps, bruises and other accidental injuries. Their is physical harm that may be reversible if the person stops drinking and then there is the type of harm that can be life threatening such as Pancreatitis, Cancers or Cirrhosis. Environment and other factors also plays an important role.

Some examples of the Physical harm alcohol can cause are given below :

Liver Problems:

	Fatty Liver
	Alcoholic Hepatitis
	Cirrhosis
	Jaundice
	Liver Cancers

Physical Indicators of Liver Damage

Big Fatty Liver Ascites Jaundice Rounded face Spiders Red Palms

For more information see Fact Sheet 8

Gastrointestinal Problems (From Ingestion to Excretion)

	Cancers all the away along the GI tract (Mouth, Throat, Stomach, Pancreas, Duodenal, Colon, Rectal)
	Oesophageal Varices (see The Liver)
	Pancreatitis
	Dyspepsia and Ulcers
	Persistent Vomiting and Diarrhoea
	Other Gastric and Bowel Problems

Brain and Nervous System (CNS and Peripheral)

	Delirium Tremens
	Dementia
	Cerebral Degeneration / Brain Lesions
	Stupor / Coma
	Withdrawal Seizures and Epiform Fitting
	Tremor / Shakes
	Strokes / Haemorrhages
	Peripheral Neuropathy (Tingling sensation in extremities)

Heart and Circulatory System

	High or Low Blood Pressure
	Anaemia
	Blood loss from external or internal injury
	Heart Failure
	Impaired Clotting
	Weakened Heart Muscles

Physical Appearance

Ruddy Complexion

Malnutrition (thin / drawn)

Poor Personal Hygiene

Sweats

Cuts and bruises

Tired, Puffy Eyed

Sexual Indicators

	Impotence
	Loss of Libido
	Infertility
	Shrinkage of Sexual Organs
	Risk to Foetus (Foetal Alcohol Syndrome)

Withdrawal Symptoms

Shakes

Sweats

Peripheral neuropathy (tingling / pins and needles in your hands and feet)

Anxiety and/or panic attacks

Hallucinations and Delusions (Visual, Auditory and sometimes Olfactory) (see Anxiety)

Mood swings and Irritability

Graphic Nightmares (see Anxiety)

Disturbed Sleep

Delirium Tremens

Seizures

Strokes

Heart Attacks

Drinking can also affect the Respiratory system and lead to Kidney problems including Cancers and Renal Failure.

Pictures reproduced with kind permission of Mick Burrows and Mark Holmes (Alcohol Liaison Team, Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham)