Effects of alcohol on liver and brain function and on unborn babies
Alcohol and liver function
Drinking excess An organic compound containing a hydroxyl group, -OH. The 'alcohol' in alcoholic drinks is ethanol, produced by the fermentation of sugars and found in wines, spirits and beers. can damage the liver, the organ responsible for processing and breaking down alcohol.
The liver can To restore something to its original form. For example, a catalyst is regenerated at the end of a reaction. Certain tissues and organs can regenerate themselves by producing new cells. its cells, but long-term alcohol abuse causes serious damage:
- the patient begins by feeling sick, experiences weight loss, loss of appetite, there is a yellowing of the eyes, confusion, drowsiness and vomiting of blood
- alcohol causes lipids to build up in the The large organ, beside the stomach, which has many functions, including processing substances absorbed by the digestive system and a role in the storage of the body's carbohydrate. - fatty liver disease
- alcohol damage leads to alcoholic Inflammation or swelling of the liver, for example because of infection by a virus or drinking too much alcohol., which can lead to death
- Scarring of the liver, which can be caused by alcoholism or hepatitis. of the liver can develop – the liver becomes scarred and loses its ability to function
- changes are now irreversible and the reduced ability to process alcohol can also lead to brain damage
Alcohol and brain function
Alcohol affects the brain in several ways. Alcohol:
- slows reaction time
- causes difficulty walking
- can impair memory
- causes slurred speech
- causes changes in sleep patterns and mood, including increased anxiety and depression
Longer term drinking of excess alcohol:
- causes brain shrinkage
- leads to memory problems
- leads to psychiatric problems
- may result in the patient requiring long-term care
The effects of alcohol on unborn babies
Alcohol can lead to a variety of physical, developmental and behavioural effects on the fetus. The most serious is foetal alcohol syndrome, where the An unborn baby. Usually eight weeks after conception.:
- is smaller in size
- has a smaller brain with fewer neurones
- will have long-term learning and behavioural difficulties
- has distinct facial features
Human and financial costs of alcoholism
Alcoholism has impacts on social and economic aspects:
- there is increased violence, antisocial behaviour and other crime associated with alcoholism
- there is an increased risk of accidents
- there is increased absence from work
- alcoholism increases the likelihood of relationship break-up
- alcoholism causes mental decline
- alcoholism increases treatment costs to NHS
In many countries, drinking during pregnancy is decreasing as awareness of the harm to the fetus that alcohol causes is increasing. The data in the stacked bar chart shows how women in Australia changed their alcohol consumption when they became pregnant:
