Alcohol and health
Alcohol is created when grains, fruits, or vegetables are fermented. Alcohol has different forms and can be used as a cleaner, an antiseptic, or a sedative. When people drink alcohol, it's absorbed into their bloodstream. From there it affects the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord), which controls virtually all body functions. Alcohol slows the function of the central nervous system. It actually blocks some of the messages trying to get to the brain. This alters a person's perceptions, emotions, movement, vision, and hearing.
tips to cutdown alcohol intake
- reduce the amount of alcohol you keep in the house or stop buying it entirely.
- develop an alternative drinking ritual by substituting, say, a cup or two of hot tea before bed.
- drink slowly.
- try to stay active and learn to spend the time and money you once spent drinking doing something else you enjoy.
- join a support group that can help you stay sober.
In very small amounts, alcohol can help a person feel more relaxed or less anxious. Moderate drinking can have beneficial effects on the heart, especially among those at greatest risk for heart attacks, such as men over the age of 45 and women after menopause. But long-term heavy drinking increases the risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, and some kinds of stroke. Also it increases the risk of developing certain forms of cancer, especially cancer of the esophagus, mouth, throat, and voice box. More alcohol causes greater changes in the brain, resulting in intoxication. Depending on the person, intoxication can make someone very friendly and talkative or very aggressive and angry. people are told not to drink and drive as the reaction times are slowed dramatically. Alcohol poisoning can result when large amounts of alcohol are consumed in a short span of time. Alcohol poisoning is exactly what it sounds like - the body gets poisoned by large amounts of alcohol. Violent vomiting is usually the first symptom of alcohol poisoning, as the body tries to rid itself of the alcohol. Extreme sleepiness, unconsciousness, difficulty in breathing, dangerously low blood sugar, and even death may result.