This is pretty neat! A cool thing to know about your brain...
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ITS NOT THE SPELLINGS--THE BRAIN PICKS UP THE MEANINGS..
Autism is a developmental disorder that appears in the first 3 years of life, and affects the brain's normal development of social and communication skills.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Autism is a physical condition linked to abnormal biology and chemistry in the brain. The exact causes of these abnormalities remain unknown, but this is a very active area of research. There are probably a combination of factors that lead to autism.
Genetic factors seem to be important. For example, identical twins are much more likely than fraternal twins or siblings to both have autism. Similarly, language abnormalities are more common in relatives of autistic children. Chromosomal abnormalities and other nervous system (neurological) problems are also more common in families with autism.
A number of other possible causes have been suspected, but not proven. They involve:
Diet
Digestive tract changes
Mercury poisoning
The body's inability to properly use vitamins and minerals
Vaccine sensitivity
AUTISM AND VACCINES
Many parents are worried that some vaccines are not safe and may harm their baby or young child. They may ask their doctor or nurse to wait, or even refuse to have the vaccine. However, it is important to also think about the risks of not having the vaccination.
Some people believe that the small amount of mercury (called thimerosal) that is a common preservative in multidose vaccines causes autism or ADHD. However, studies have NOT shown this risk to be true.
The American Academy of Pediatrics, and The Institute of Medicine (IOM) agree that no vaccine or component of any vaccine is responsible for the number of children who are currently being diagnosed with autism. They conclude that the benefits of vaccines outweigh the risks.
All of the routine childhood vaccines are available in single-dose forms that do not contain added mercury.
The exact number of children with autism is not known. A report released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that autism and related disorders are more common than previously thought. It is unclear whether this is due to an increasing rate of the illness or an increased ability to diagnose the illness.
Autism affects boys more often than girls. Family income, education, and lifestyle do not seem to affect the risk of autism.
Some doctors believe the increased incidence in autism is due to newer definitions of autism. The term "autism" now includes a wider spectrum of children. For example, a child who is diagnosed with high-functioning autism today may have been thought to simply be odd or strange 30 years ago.
Other pervasive developmental disorders include:
Asperger syndrome (like autism, but with normal language development)
Rett syndrome (very different from autism, and almost always occurs in females)
Pervasive developmental disorder - not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), also called atypical autism
Symptoms
Most parents of autistic children suspect that something is wrong by the time the child is 18 months old and seek help by the time the child is age 2. Children with autism typically have difficulties in:
Pretend play
Social interactions
Verbal and nonverbal communication
Some children with autism appear normal before age 1 or 2 and then suddenly "regress" and lose language or social skills they had previously gained. This is called the regressive type of autism.
People with autism may:
Be overly sensitive in sight, hearing, touch, smell, or taste (for example, they may refuse to wear "itchy" clothes and become distressed if they are forced to wear the clothes)
Have unusual distress when routines are changed
Perform repeated body movements
Show unusual attachments to objects
The symptoms may vary from moderate to severe.
Communication problems may include:
Cannot start or maintain a social conversation
Communicates with gestures instead of words
Develops language slowly or not at all
Does not adjust gaze to look at objects that others are looking at
Does not refer to self correctly (for example, says "you want water" when the child means "I want water")
Does not point to direct others' attention to objects (occurs in the first 14 months of life)
Repeats words or memorized passages, such as commercials
Social interaction:
Does not make friends
Does not play interactive games
Is withdrawn
May not respond to eye contact or smiles, or may avoid eye contact
May treat others as if they are objects
Prefers to spend time alone, rather than with others
Shows a lack of empathy
Response to sensory information:
Does not startle at loud noises
Has heightened or low senses of sight, hearing, touch, smell, or taste
May find normal noises painful and hold hands over ears
May withdraw from physical contact because it is overstimulating or overwhelming
Rubs surfaces, mouths or licks objects
Seems to have a heightened or low response to pain
Play:
Doesn't imitate the actions of others
Prefers solitary or ritualistic play
Shows little pretend or imaginative play
Behaviors:
"Acts up" with intense tantrums
Gets stuck on a single topic or task (perseveration)
Has a short attention span
Has very narrow interests
Is overactive or very passive
Shows aggression to others or self
Shows a strong need for sameness
Uses repetitive body movements
Signs and tests
All children should have routine developmental exams done by their pediatrician. Further testing may be needed if the doctor or parents are concerned. This is particularly true if a child fails to meet any of the following language milestones:
Babbling by 12 months
Gesturing (pointing, waving bye-bye) by 12 months
Saying single words by 16 months
Saying two-word spontaneous phrases by 24 months (not just echoing)
Losing any language or social skills at any age
These children might receive a hearing evaluation, blood lead test, and screening test for autism (such as the Checklist for Autism in Toddlers [CHAT] or the Autism Screening Questionnaire).
A health care provider experienced in diagnosing and treating autism is usually needed to make the actual diagnosis. Because there is no biological test for autism, the diagnosis will often be based on very specific criteria from a book called the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV.
An evaluation of autism will often include a complete physical and nervous system (neurologic) examination. It may also include a specific screening tool, such as:
Autism Diagnostic Interview - Revised (ADI-R)
Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS)
Childhood Autism rating Scale (CARS)
Gilliam Autism Rating Scale
Pervasive Developmental Disorders Screening Test - Stage 3
Children with known or suspected autism will often have genetic testing (looking for chromosome abnormalities) and may have metabolic testing.
Autism includes a broad spectrum of symptoms. Therefore, a single, brief evaluation cannot predict a child's true abilities. Ideally, a team of different specialists will evaluate the child. They might evaluate:
Communication
Language
Motor skills
Speech
Success at school
Thinking abilities
Sometimes people are reluctant to have a child diagnosed because of concerns about labeling the child. However, without a diagnosis the child may not get the necessary treatment and services.
Treatment
An early, intensive, appropriate treatment program will greatly improve the outlook for most young children with autism. Most programs will build on the interests of the child in a highly structured schedule of constructive activities. Visual aids are often helpful.
Treatment is most successful when it is geared toward the child's particular needs. An experienced specialist or team should design the program for the individual child. A variety of therapies are available, including:
Applied behavior analysis (ABA)
Medications
Occupational therapy
Physical therapy
Speech-language therapy
Sensory integration and vision therapy are also common, but there is little research supporting their effectiveness. The best treatment plan may use a combination of techniques.
APPLIED BEHAVIORAL ANALYSIS (ABA)
This program is for younger children with an autism spectrum disorder. It can be effective in some cases. ABA uses a one-on-one teaching approach that reinforces the practice of various skills. The goal is to get the child close to normal developmental functioning.
ABA programs are usually done in a child's home under the supervision of a behavioral psychologist. These programs can be very expensive and have not been widely adopted by school systems. Parents often must seek funding and staffing from other sources, which can be hard to find in many communities.
TEACCH
Another program is called the Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communication Handicapped Children (TEACCH). TEACCH was developed as a statewide program in North Carolina. It uses picture schedules and other visual cues that help the child work independently and organize and structure their environments.
Though TEACCH tries to improve a child's adaptation and skills, it also accepts the problems associated with autism spectrum disorders. Unlike ABA programs, TEACCH programs do not expect children to achieve typical development with treatment.
MEDICINE
Medicines are often used to treat behavior or emotional problems that people with autism may have, including:
Aggression
Anxiety
Attention problems
Extreme compulsions that the child cannot stop
Hyperactivity
Impulsiveness
Irritability
Mood swings
Outbursts
Sleep difficulty
Tantrums
Currently, only risperidone is approved to treat children ages 5 - 16 for the irritability and aggression that can occur with autism. Other medicines that may also be used include SSRIs, divalproex sodium and other mood stabilizers, and possibly stimulants such asmethylphenidate. There is no medicine that treats the underlying problem of autism.
DIET
Some children with autism appear to respond to a gluten-free or casein-free diet. Gluten is found in foods containing wheat, rye, and barley. Casein is found in milk, cheese, and other dairy products. Not all experts agree that dietary changes will make a difference, and not all studies of this method have shown positive results.
If you are considering these or other dietary changes, talk to both a doctor who specializes in the digestive system (gastroenterologist) and a registered dietitian. You want to be sure that the child is still receiving enough calories, nutrients, and a balanced diet.
OTHER APPROACHES
Beware that there are widely publicized treatments for autism that do not have scientific support, and reports of "miracle cures" that do not live up to expectations. If your child has autism, it may be helpful to talk with other parents of children with autism and autism specialists. Follow the progress of research in this area, which is rapidly developing.
At one time, there was enormous excitement about using secretin infusions. Now, after many studies have been conducted in many laboratories, it's possible that secretin is not effective after all. However, research continues.
Support Groups
For organizations that can provide additional information and help on autism, see autism resources.
Expectations (prognosis)
Autism remains a challenging condition for children and their families, but the outlook today is much better than it was a generation ago. At that time, most people with autism were placed in institutions.
Today, with the right therapy, many of the symptoms of autism can be improved, though most people will have some symptoms throughout their lives. Most people with autism are able to live with their families or in the community.
The outlook depends on the severity of the autism and the level of therapy the person receives.
Complications
Autism can be associated with other disorders that affect the brain, such as:
PLEASE CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR --- YOU CAN QUIT SMOKING !
This is one of the best Anti -smoking adds ever..! Have a Look!
The potentially fatal diseases smoking causes are:
Cardiovascular (heart and circulatory) disease:
(2 out 5 of all tobacco-caused deaths; approximately 17,500 deaths per year)
Heart attacks
Stroke
Hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis)
Dilatation and rupture of the aorta (Aortic aneurysms)
Cancer:
(2 out 5 of all tobacco-caused deaths; approximately 17,700 deaths per year in Canada)
Lung cancer
Cancers of the mouth, pharynx, larynx and oesophagus
Cancer of the pancreas
Cancers of kidney and urinary bladder
Respiratory disease:
(1 out 5 of all tobacco-caused deaths; approximately 9,500 deaths per year in Canada)
Chronic airways obstruction
Chronic bronchitis and emphysema
Pneumonia and influenza
The other health effects caused by smoking are:
Chronic Illness:
Peptic ulcer disease is more likely to occur in smokers; the ulcers of smokers heal more slowly and
are more likely to recur.
Smoking is a risk factor for chronic bowel disease (Crohn's disease).
Oral Health:
Tobacco use is an important factor in oral health, apart from its role in causing oral cancer.
Smokers are more likely than non-smokers to experience tooth decay and gum disease.
Aging:
Smoking reduces bone density (osteoporosis), which increases smokers' vulnerability to bone
fractures.
Smoking decreases blood flow in the small vessels of the skin, leading to skin wrinkling and an
appearance of premature aging.
Natural menopause occurs earlier in smokers than in non-smokers by one or two years.
Impotence:
Impotence is more likely to occur among smokers than among non-smokers.
Treatments Available--
Medications
Many medications, including nicotine replacement therapy and non-nicotine medications, have been approved as safe and effective in treating tobacco dependence. Any of these medications, combined with behavioral changes, can increase your chances of quitting.
Using more than one medication may help you get better results than if you use a single medication. You'll get better results by combining a longer acting medication — such as the nicotine patch or the drug bupropion (Zyban, Wellbutrin) or varenicline (Chantix) — with a short-acting nicotine replacement product, such as nicotine gum, lozenge, nasal spray or inhaler.
If you've tried a medication on your own but haven't been able to stop smoking, talk to your health care provider. He or she can help you move in the right direction by adjusting the dose of your medication, recommending a different medication or using a combination of medications.
Most people who want to stop smoking can benefit from a medication. But if you're pregnant or breast-feeding, you smoke fewer than 10 cigarettes a day or you're under age 18, talk to your doctor before taking any over-the-counter nicotine replacement products.
Nicotine replacement therapyNicotine replacement therapy gives you nicotine without the other harmful chemicals in tobacco smoke. Many people mistakenly believe that nicotine causes cancer, but that's not the case. Nicotine replacement medications, including patches, gum, lozenges, nasal spray and inhaler, can help relieve difficult withdrawal symptoms and cravings. The best time to start using nicotine replacement is on the day you set to stop smoking.
Most nicotine replacement products are available over-the-counter:
Nicotine patch (NicoDerm CQ, Habitrol, others). The patch delivers nicotine through your skin and into your bloodstream. You wear a new patch each day. The treatment period usually lasts for eight weeks or longer. Don't be in a hurry to stop using the patch, especially if you've stopped smoking or dramatically reduced your smoking. If you haven't been able to stop smoking completely after the two weeks or so of treatment, ask your doctor for help in adjusting the dose of the patch or adding another medication.
Nicotine gum (Nicorette, others). This gum delivers nicotine to your blood through the lining of your mouth. It's available in a 2-milligram (mg) dose for regular smokers and a 4-mg dose for heavy smokers. You can use up to 20 pieces a day as needed. Nicotine gum is often recommended to curb cravings. To use the gum correctly, chew it a few times until you feel a mild tingling or peppery taste, then park the gum between your cheek and gumline for several minutes. This "chewing and parking" allows nicotine to be gradually absorbed in your bloodstream. Avoid drinking carbonated or acidic drinks, such as coffee or juice, before or while using nicotine gum or lozenges.
Nicotine lozenge (Commit, Nicorette mini lozenge). This is a tablet that dissolves in your mouth and, like nicotine gum, delivers nicotine through the lining of your mouth. The lozenges are available in 2- and 4-mg doses, for regular or heavier smokers. To use the lozenge, place it in your mouth between your gumline and cheek or under your tongue and allow it to dissolve. You'll start with one lozenge every one to two hours and gradually increase the time between treatments.
These nicotine replacement products are available by prescription:
Nicotine nasal spray (Nicotrol NS). The nicotine in this product, sprayed directly into each nostril, is absorbed through your nasal membranes into your blood vessels. The nasal spray delivers nicotine a bit quicker than gum, lozenges or the patch, but not as rapidly as smoking a cigarette. It's usually prescribed for three-month periods for up to six months. Side effects may include nasal irritation.
Nicotine inhaler (Nicotrol). This device is shaped something like a cigarette holder. You puff on it, and it delivers nicotine vapor in your mouth. You absorb the nicotine through the lining in your mouth, where it then enters your bloodstream. Common side effects are mouth or throat irritation and occasional coughing.
Non-nicotine medicationsMedications that don't contain nicotine include:
Bupropion. The antidepressant drug bupropion (Zyban, Wellbutrin) increases levels of dopamine and norepinephrine, brain chemicals that are also boosted by nicotine. Bupropion may be prescribed along with a nicotine patch. Bupropion has the advantage of helping to minimize weight gain after you quit smoking. Side effects may include sleep disturbance and dry mouth. If you have a history of seizures or serious head trauma, such as a skull fracture, you shouldn't take this drug.
Varenicline (Chantix). This medication acts on the brain's nicotine receptors, decreasing withdrawal symptoms and reducing the feelings of pleasure you get from smoking. Potential side effects include nausea, headache, insomnia and vivid dreams. Rarely, varenicline has been associated with serious psychiatric symptoms, such as depressed mood, agitation and suicidal thoughts.
Nortriptyline (Pamelor). This tricyclic antidepressant has been shown to help smokers stop. It acts by increasing the levels of the brain neurotransmitter norepinephrine. It is used as a second line medication to treat tobacco dependence. Side effects may include dry mouth.
Clonidine (Catapres). This drug is approved for use in treating high blood pressure, but may be used as a second line medication for tobacco dependence if other medications haven't helped. Its usefulness is limited because of side effects such as drowsiness and sedation.
Since all of you are loving these here is one more science FUN....Enjoy..
This will blow your mind . This is a quick eye exam for you . Just do it ; don't cheat . Try this , its actually quite good But don't cheat ....ENJOY..!
An optical illusion (also called a visual illusion) is characterized by visually perceived images that differ from objective reality. The information gathered by the eye is processed in the brain to give a perception that does not tally with a physical measurement of the stimulus source. There are three main types: literal optical illusions that create images that are different from the objects that make them, physiological ones that are the effects on the eyes and brain of excessive stimulation of a specific type (brightness, colour, size, position, tilt, movement), and cognitive illusions, the result of unconscious inferences.
Greetings ..These videos are not made by me and I hope you take them in the right spirit and not as an Actual Scientific norm. Thank You ... Stay Happy..!
Greetings . I Would now be Alternating the blogs between Core Psychiatry topics and some Light Science Fun .These videos are not made by me and I hope you take them in the right spirit and not as an Actual Scientific norm. Thank You ... Stay Happy..!
The video just gives you an idea of impairment of judgement and effects on brain read through the blog and go through the effects of Alcohol Dependency...
Health Issues and Alcoholism
A recent study in the United Kingdom examined 20 drugs and found that overall alcohol was the most harmful drug, followed by heroin, and then crack. The findings considered both individual and societal harm. When a person abuses alcohol or drugs, the ramifications are felt within his or her entire sphere of influence: family, friends, work, school, and community. The cost to society of one single alcoholic can be staggering.
According to the National Council on Alcoholism:
¼ of all emergency room admissions, 1/3 of all suicides, and more than ½ of all homicides are alcohol related
Alcoholic drinking contributes to heart disease, cancer and stroke
½ of all traffic fatalities are alcohol related
48-64% of people who die in fires have blood levels indicating intoxication
Fetal alcoholism is the leading cause of mental retardation
Impact of Alcohol on the Body
Alcohol dependence and addiction have a profound impact on the whole body.
Alcohol is rapidly absorbed by the body through the stomach, intestine, and directly through blood into the brain. A small amount of alcohol can alter brain function. Large amounts of alcohol ingested regularly damages the brain, the central nervous system, major organs, circulatory system, skeletal system, immune system, and psychological responses to the environment.
Alcohol and the Brain
When we think about a drunk person, we think about someone who staggers about, someone who stammers and slurs his or her words, or someone whose responsiveness is somewhat compromised.
Alcohol enters the brain and immediately alters the messages the neurotransmitters send to the rest of the body. The faster alcohol is consumed, the higher the blood alcohol level. Because alcohol is soluble in water solutions, it easily crosses the blood brain barrier. Within several minutes, normal neuron responses are diminished allowing the alcohol to manipulate the receptors. Because the receptors are associated with “pleasure” centers in the brain, the body easily adapts to the manipulation. Yet the desire for pleasure will quickly require more alcohol intake to achieve the initial experience. Soon that pleasurable sensation is gone, though the body continues to seek the stimulus.
Unfortunately, the brain’s ability to process even a very small amount of alcohol will result in alterations of the brain. The more a person drinks, the worse the impact is upon the brain structure and the brain function. Scientists are still exploring the long-term effects of alcohol on brain function.
Consuming large quantities of alcohol leads to a deficiency of vitamin B1 (thiamine). This vitamin is an essential nutrient for all body tissues. Thiamine deficiency causes some alcoholics to develop Wernicke-Korsakoff, a severe, two-phased syndrome.
Wernicke’s encephalopathy, phase one, includes “mental confusion, paralysis of the nerves that move the eyes, and difficulty with muscle coordination. Such a condition can leave a person confused about finding his or her way out of a room. Even if a person does not suffer from all the characteristics, they may have the syndrome.” (source: NIAAA, Oct. 04, #63)
80% of the people who develop Wenicke’s encephalopathy will eventually develop Korsakoff’s syndrome, phase two. This syndrome is chronic and irreversible. It affects a person’s ability to both learn new information and to recall old information. Furthermore, people suffering from Korsakoff’s syndrome experience forgetfulness and are frustrated easily. (source: NIAAA, Oct.04, #63)
Brain Damage and Alcohol Abuse
The amount of alcohol a person can ingest safely varies from person to person and depends upon genetic, biological, physical, psychological, psychosocial and environmental factors.
After decades of scientific research, the ramifications of chronic alcohol abuse are:
Severe alterations in cognitive functioning. Frequent, chronic abuse of alcohol can lead to Wernickes-Korsakoff’s syndrome.
Diminished decision making. Alcoholics are unable to appropriately respond to the negative consequences of continued drinking. Also, alcoholics are also described as being “impulsive, inconsiderate, uninhibited, inflexible or ill mannered…As a group, alcoholics share this constellation of behaviors characteristic of frontal lobe dysfunction…”, (source: Alcohol Research & Health, Wntr-Spring, 2010, “Alcohol’s effects on brain and behavior”, Edith V. Sullivan et al online)
Severe alterations in brain matter. Grey matter and white matter, both brain material used for learning and for cognitive functioning are reduced or destroyed by chronic use of alcohol. Intellectual deficiencies and dementia are the results of long term alcohol abuse.
Alcohol also has the ability to block the formation of “new autobiographical memories…In addition to impairing balance, motor coordination, decision making, and a litany of other functions, alcohol produces detectable memory impairments beginning after just one or two drinks. As the dose increases, so does the magnitude of the memory impairments. Under certain circumstances, alcohol can disrupt or completely block the ability to form memories for events that transpire while a person is intoxicated, a type of impairment known as a blackout.” (source: What Happened? Alcohol, Memory Blackouts, and the Brain” Aaron M. White, Ph.D.,http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arh27-2/186-196.htm)
The impairment can be cumulative, resulting in a loss of memory over time, or it can be immediate, as in the experience of a blackout. Blackouts are the result of acute intoxication: drinking too much, too quickly, and on an empty stomach.
The section of the brain involved in forming memories is located in the hippocampus. As the illustration shows, the medial septum has a direct link to the hippocampus and the frontal lobe, which is involved in the retrieval of memories, decision making, and planning. Thus, the disruption to neurons in any area of this section of the brain impacts all the sections. Alcohol prevents the formation of new memories. (http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arh27-2/186-196.htm)
Mental Health and Alcoholism
Society accepts drinking as a normal part of everyday living. However, people who have a predisposition to alcoholism, or people who have mental health issues such as depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and personality disorders are more likely to have an alcohol problem. Mental health disorders that exist alongside an alcohol addiction are called a dual diagnosis disorders. Plainly stated, drinking worsens mental health disorders. However, substance related disorders sometimes can manifest acting like mental health disorders
Approximately 37% of alcohol abusers have at least one co-occurring mental disorder (see dual diagnosis). What does this mean to a person who has not yet been diagnosed with a mental health disorder? Unfortunately, when alcohol is combined with any of the mental health disorders, a person’s life will take a downward turn. The use of alcohol does not help resolve the mental health disorder; indeed, it can worsen the mental health disorder. There is a greater chance of a dually diagnosed individual experiencing violent behavior, substance abuse, and problems with work, family and friends.
Other physical complications of alcohol addiction
Liver Damage and Alcohol Addiction
The liver is a vital organ in the body’s ability to absorb, process nutrients and remove a variety of toxins. It also controls the blood’s ability to clot, helps fight off disease, and reduce internal inflammations. Chronic alcohol abuse has a direct and deleterious impact on healthy, normal liver functioning. “Long-term, heavy alcohol use is the leading cause of illness and death from liver disease in the United States. The number of persons with alcoholic liver disease (ALD)…is conservatively estimated at more than 2 million.” (source: Alcohol Research & Health, Winter 2000, “Medical Consequences of Alcohol Abuse” n.a., onlinehttp://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0CXH/is_1_24/ai_72884222/)
Liver disease develops in stages and while most people have heard of cirrhosis of the liver, the process does not begin there. ALD occurs in three stages:
Fatty liver (steatosis). This condition occurs with both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinkers. It is easily defined by its name. Fat droplets develop within the liver leading to the organ’s enlargement. This condition has been found to be reversible once a person abstains consistently from alcohol.
Alcoholic hepatitis. This second stage is far more severe than fatty liver disease. According to the American College of Gastroenterology, people suffering from alcoholic hepatitis have an enlarged liver and experience:
Weakness
Fever
Loss of appetite
Nausea
Vomiting
Pain in the area of the liver
When the inflammation subsides, scarring in the liver occurs leaving fibroid tissue called fibrosis. There is no reversing the fibrosis condition of the liver.
Alcohol Cirrhosis. This is the final stage of liver disease. The fibrosis, or scarring, within the liver leads to “obstruction of blood flow through the liver. This prevents the liver from performing its critical functions of purifying the blood and nutrients absorbed from the intestines.” (source:http://www.acg.gi.org/patients/cgp/cgpvol2.asp#Alcoholic%20Liver)
Thus, liver failure follows.
During the progression of liver disease, the body’s natural defenses produce an increase in cytokines that help fight inflammations. Chronic alcohol abuse induces the steady increase in cytokines. This abnormal production creates other chemical responses within the body which then leads to a scarring and a weakening of the permeability of the intestinal cell wall. The weakened permeability of the intestinal cell wall enables toxins to move freely from the intestine into the liver and back. Alcohol disrupts the filtering mechanism that protects the purity of the blood stream, the digestion of food, and the absorption of protein.
Both men and women alcoholics suffer from cirrhosis and other alcohol-related liver disorders. However, the mortality rate for cirrhosis of the liver is two times higher for men than women. But, women are more susceptible to cirrhosis than men. (Gender and Alcoholism)
Alcohol-related liver disease usually occurs after years of heavy drinking and the complications can be serious. The lack of normal liver function and its inability to clean the blood supply for the body leaves people with cirrhosis also susceptible to: Symptoms of Alcohol-Related Liver Disease
Bleeding
Bloating
Waste build-up in blood causing confusion
Portal hypertension
Enlarged veins in the esophagus and stomach
Yellowing of the skin, eyes
(source: National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, NDDIC)
Those suffering from cirrhosis can develop “hepatic encephalopathy” which causes altered:
Sleep patterns
Mood changes
Personality changes
Shortened attention span
Coordination problems
Flapping hands
Coma
(source: National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, NDDIC)
The following are the less severe early symptoms of cirrhosis:
Feeling tired or weak
Loss of appetite
Loss of weight
Gastro-Intestinal Complications
Just a small amount of alcohol consumption may negatively impact the entire digestive system. The digestive system includes the mouth (the tongue, the teeth), the parotid gland, the pharynx, the salivary glands, the esophagus, the stomach, the duodenum, small intestine, large intestine, the rectum, and the anal canal.
The digestive system, or the GI system, breaks down food, allows the absorption of nutrients into the bloodstream, and rids the body of waste products. Use of alcohol can lead to:
Symptoms of Gastro-Intestinal Complications from Alcohol
Damage to salivary gland
Swollen tongue
Rotting teeth
Gum disease
Weakening the lower esophagus sphincter muscle (between the esophagus and the stomach)
Vomiting
Intestinal bleeding and gastric lesions
Diarrhea from impaired small and large intestine muscle movement
Malnutrition
Heartburn
Increase risk of esophageal cancer
Absorption of toxins into the blood from the intestine that contributes to liver disease
Development of Barrett’s disease (precursor to esophageal cancer)
The pancreas is a gland involved in the proper functioning of the digestive system. It is also responsible for the creation of insulin and enzymes that metabolize carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. When the balance between the cells in the pancreas are disrupted and disorganized, serious side effects can occur. Alcohol use, medication, and gallstones are the three main reasons for pancreatitis. In general, more men suffer from acute pancreatitis due to alcohol abuse than women.
Acute pancreatitis interferes with the absorption of foods with the following symptoms:
Abdominal pain
Fever
Jaundice
Listless
Cardiovascular Disease and Alcoholism
The regular consumption of alcohol can lead to a variety of cardiovascular problems. Alcohol, which is quickly absorbed undiluted into the blood stream, increases the level of triglycerides. Increases in the triglycerides can then lead to high blood pressure, heart failure, or stroke. Furthermore, the heart muscles can be adversely affected by the consumption of large amounts of alcohol, causing shortness of breath.
Binge drinking produces atrial fibrillation/flutter, or the heart beating at irregular rhythms, moving from rapid to slow. The disruption in the regular heartbeat deprives the body of the necessary blood and oxygen supply to function properly resulting in the destruction of healthy organs.
Neuropathy (neuromuscular) and Alcoholism
The ability to maintain muscular sensation, muscle strength, tendon reflexes, and the sensation of pain are a direct result of the health and proper functioning of the peripheral nerves. Peripheral neuropathy is a disruption in one or more of the peripheral nerves (part of the spinal nervous system).
Chronic alcohol intake causes neuropathies. Thiamine (part of the B1 complex) is an essential vitamin needed to maintain healthy bodily functions. Alcohol use causes a depletion of thiamine. This deficiency adversely affects the health of the nerves around the spinal cord. Thus, the combination of the thiamine deficiency and the absorption of toxins that build up within an alcoholic’s cells and nerves contribute to alcoholic neuropathy. It is estimated that 25-66% of chronic alcoholics suffer from the development of alcohol neuropathy.
Symptoms of Alcoholic Neuropathy
Weakness or atrophy in muscles
Numbness in lower extremities and feet
Loss of sensation
Tingling and burning
Organ dysfunction
Other Conditions
Other less known conditions linked to alcohol abuse are:
Eight different types of cancer
Diabetes
Alcohol psychoses
Respiratory diseases
Hypertension
Cardiomyopathy
Cerebrovascular disease
The discussions above do not include health conditions that are the direct result of alcohol intoxication, like traffic accidents, accidental death, fetal alcohol syndrome, violence against others, or suicide.
The effects of alcohol are insidious and thorough. Society continually paints a picture of the benign and playful effects of alcohol. Nothing could be further from the truth, as millions of lives are decimated by alcohol yearly. There is nothing benign about violence, sexual assault, child abuse, or suicide as a result of alcohol abuse.
