The Affects of Alcohol on Internal Organs  

The stomach is the first organ that feels the consequences of ingested alcohol.  The complexities of food digestion are altered causing food not to be absorbed properly causing dyspepsia, or upset stomach.  Over a period of time, if alcohol is used to excess, the stomach lining can be eroded, leading to seeping blood in the stomach. The liver is the organ that sustains the most structural changes from the consumption of excessive alcohol.  Here, as in the stomach, immoderate drinking can cause the liver to build up scar tissue and function poorly, eventually leading to internal bleeding. 

Those who drink heavily are predisposed for infections of the lung, since it disrupts the proteins that keep fluids out of the lungs.  Alcoholic Lung Disease can lead to the development of pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome.  The effects of alcohol on the brain are varied and complex.  Because alcohol effects the brain’s neurotransmitters, memory, muscle function, judgment, self-control, coordination, awareness, and sex drive are all effected negatively from alcohol abuse. 

Abusive, prolonged alcohol consumption can have negative influence on the heart, such as high blood pressure, irregular heart beats, heart disease, and, ultimately, heart failure.  The immune system is negatively altered by alcohol consumption because it impairs while blood cell function.  Other blood abnormalities ( blood clotting and anemia) can occur as well. 

Over 50% of throat cancers, esophageal cancers, larynx and mouth cancers occur as a result of alcohol, and vomiting that takes place because of alcohol poisoning, can irritate the esophagus brutally.  The kidneys are severely compromised by the amount of alcohol that enters the body.  The delicate balancing functions of  the kidney are thrown out of commision and can result in kidney failure. 

The reproductive system can be damaged by an abundance of alcohol in the system.  The production of testosterone and sperm can be decreased in men, and the amount of estrogen produced in women can be altered, both of which could result in infertility. 

The absorption of nutrients into the body can be altered when too much alcohol enters the small intestines and damages the intestinal lining.  The digestive enzymes secreted by the pancreas can be distorted by the presence of alcohol, causing enzymes to leak in a way that could , eventually, damage the pancreas itself. 

Even the joints and muscles can be adversely affected by the misuse of alcohol.  Osteoporosis and arthritis can be exacerbated by abusive consumption of alcoholic beverages.