Health Risks of Drinking Alcohol
Health Risks of Drinking Alcohol – Drinking alcohol is a common social practice in our society. More than 50 percent of adults in the United States have had alcoholic drinks in the last 30 days. Binge drinking is excessive and may cause health problems like heart disease and increased risk of injury. Statistics show that between 2001 and 2005 approximately 79 000 adults died of wounds that can be caused by excessive alcohol use.
Excessive alcohol consumption is defined as more than two drinks a day for men and more than one drink a day for women. Drinking party is considered more than five drinks in a single occasion for men and more than four drinks for women. Approximately five percent of adults drink too much and 15 percent of the drinking party. It is not known exactly how many underage drinkers are also alcohol abuse.
Alcohol is produced by the formation of sugar, yeast and starch. It is found in products such as beer, wine, and liquor. Alcohol has different effects on the body, depending on the type and amount consumed. Standard drink consists of about.6 ounces of alcohol. Reactions to alcohol also varies based on many other factors such as age, gender, race, physical condition, amount of food consumed before drinking, how fast the alcohol is consumed, the use of drugs and prescription drugs and family history of abuse.
Alcohol is a depressant of the central nervous system that is quickly absorbed by the stomach and small intestine and metabolized by the liver. Liver can only metabolize a small amount of alcohol that leave the rest to circulate in the bloodstream affects every organ in the body. The intensity will affect directly connected to the amount of alcohol consumed.
Excessive alcohol consumption can cause problems with relationships, school, work and self-esteem. It is also associated with diseases such as cirrhosis of the liver, pancreatic, various cancers, high blood pressure and physiological disorders. This can lead to injury due to accidents such as falls, burns, firearm injuries, and car accidents. This can harm the fetus of a pregnant woman.
Violence is often associated with excessive drinking. Too much consumption can also lead to abuse and dependence. Studies show that the risk of developing this problem is even greater for youth and young adults. Youth who drink alcohol before the age of 15 years have proved five times more likely to become alcoholics than those who begin drinking at age 21 law.