subject: Short And Long Term Results Of Alcohol Consumption [print this page] Alcoholic drinks have short-term and long-term effects on the body specifically on the brain. Brain cells are known as neurons and the brain functions through the interconnection of neurons by the neurotransmitters. According to research, alcohol consumption alters the brain processes. These processes can be simply defined as the excitatory and the inhibitory processes of the neurons in the brain. Acute moderate alcohol consumption has proven to increase the inhibitory neurotransmissions and reduce the excitatory neurotransmission. Individuals who engage in one time heavy drinking feel the inhibitory effects of the brain like lethargy, drowsiness, and relaxation. Constant heavy drinking can further boost the inhibitory neurotransmission. When this occurs, there's greater harm in the brain that may be more threatening.
Impaired memory and blackouts
A blackout is an interval of time where an intoxicated person cannot remember key events or an entire experience after consuming large amounts of alcohol within a short time period on an empty stomach. Individuals who engage in binge drinking are usually young adults or university students and they are the common victims of experiencing a blackout. Alcohol has been proven to damage a person's memory even after only a few drinks and the more amount of liquor is consumed, the greater damage it creates on the person's memory. According to studies in alcohol rehabs, there are more women who experienced blackouts compared to men. This may be attributed to the genetic makeup of men and women because men physically have higher tolerance for alcohol than women.
Brain Damage
Brain damage from chronic alcohol consumption may be indirectly related to poor nutrition. In time, brain damage becomes a secondary result. An example of this is thiamine deficiency caused by poor overall nutrition. Thiamine is an important nutrient used in many body tissues including the brain. When alcoholics drink alcohol especially on an empty stomach, there aren't enough sufficient nutrients to supply the entire body. The most serious disorder that resulted from thiamine deficiency is Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome. This is a mental disorder characterized by confusion, nerve paralysis of the eyes and difficult muscle coordination. People who suffer from this disorder may have trouble finding a way out of a room because of confusion and inability to walk. Some alcohol rehabilitation centers need inpatient treatment as well as medical treatment for those who suffer from alcohol addiction and mental problems. Too much alcohol intake can cause severe liver damage. Liver cirrhosis is one of the known diseases associated with heavy alcohol intake. Prolonged liver impairment can result to brain damage as well. This is known as hepatic encephalopathy. This is a disease which causes changes in personality and mood, sleeping patterns, psychiatric conditions like anxiety and depression, and severe cognitive defects.
