Effect Of Alcohol On The Nervous System
Alcohol is a drug that is legalized and socially acceptable. In fact, it is the most common drug in the world, and we use it often at meetings, evenings with friends, family meals, and so on. However, do we really know the effects and influence of alcohol on the nervous system ?
Alcohol works with a feeling of excitement and euphoria that make us feel better when we start drinking it. Unfortunately, many people use it to get rid of inhibitions or to calm down.
However, the actual effects of alcohol on the nervous system are not very good at all. Alcohol is a poison that can cause changes to all systems in our body. In fact, there are many diseases associated with chronic use of this substance.
For example, alcohol has a strong influence on liver dysfunction. This group of diseases has spread widely among the population, a lot of information is given about it. However, few people know the effects of alcohol on the nervous system. In this article, we explain everything you need to know.
What is the effect of alcohol on the nervous system?
The effects of alcohol on the nervous system can be acute or chronic. The amount consumed and the duration of this situation are decisive. In general, a distinction is made between acute alcohol intoxication and chronic alcoholism.
Acute alcohol poisoning
Acute alcohol poisoning occurs when very large amounts of alcohol are consumed in a short period of time. Initially, this intoxication produces pleasant symptoms, such as the previously mentioned release of the brakes and relaxation.
On the other hand, it should be mentioned that while many people drink alcohol for social purposes, it affects others in quite the opposite way. There are many people who become aggressive and irritable.
However, the action of alcohol in this case can lead to an ethyl coma. It is a state of unconsciousness due to this substance that can be life-threatening.
Among the effects of alcohol is the fact that it depresses the respiratory system. This means that in cases of high ingestion, death may occur due to lack of breathing.
Alcoholism
Alcoholism occurs when a person has an urgent need to drink alcohol, leading to constant drinking. One of the effects of alcohol consumption is that it can cause physical dependence. This, in turn, causes alcoholics to experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms when they cannot drink it.
In addition, alcoholism is associated with other harmful processes that, when combined, trigger the development of some serious neurological disorders. The circumstances are as follows:
- Most alcoholics have nutritional and vitamin deficiencies.
- Alcohol negatively affects other organs, such as the liver. Numerous studies show that degeneration of the liver can then damage the nervous system.
- Very frequent blows and head injuries occur under the influence of alcohol . This can cause hematomas and bleeding in the brain, which also worsens its function.
For all these reasons, the effects of alcohol on the nervous system lead to many diseases. Below we explain the most dangerous ones.
The Effects of Alcohol on the Nervous System: Neurological Diseases
Dementia
Almost 10% of chronic alcoholics suffer from dementia. This means that these people suffer from deterioration in all cognitive functions such as memory and social skills.
In such cases, the person loses the ability to perform complex activities. It can also cause changes in her personality and lead to mood disorders.
Degeneration of the cerebellum
The cerebellum is the part of the nervous system responsible for muscle coordination and other movements that we make involuntarily. It is estimated that approximately 50% of alcoholics experience damage to this part of the brain. Eventually they have difficulty speaking, walking and even begin to have seizures.
Alcoholic polyneuropathy
Another effect of alcohol is alcoholic polyneuropathy. It is a disease in which some nerves degenerate and cannot maintain their proper function. It is associated with a vitamin deficiency secondary to alcohol consumption.
Such people gradually begin to lose strength in their limbs. In addition, they experience paresthesia (a feeling of tingling on the skin) and pain in the same limbs. Ultimately, the disease affects the way you walk.
Effect of alcohol on the nervous system: Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome
This pathology causes a change in consciousness that can lead to coma. This is because the brain does not metabolize glucose properly and some toxic substances accumulate in it.
As we can see, the effects of alcohol on the nervous system are varied and complex. It is important to realize that it causes harm both when it is limited to acute poisoning and when the person suffers from chronic alcoholism
Therefore, if you think you are addicted to alcohol or drink it frequently, try to give up this unhealthy habit. Both your doctor and the numerous support groups that exist today can help you with this.
