Alcohol Effects on the Body. A long and sobering list

HEART: Alcohol raises blood pressure and increases the risk of stroke and heart disease in heavy drinkers.

LIVER: Liver deterioration, the formation of fibrous scar tissue (fibrosis), alcoholic hepatitis, irreversible liver damage (cirrhosis) and jaundice of the skin and eyes are all potential effects of heavy alcohol consumption.

THROAT: Alcohol can cause irritation and damage to the esophagus lead to hemorrhaging, pain and difficulty swallowing.

STOMACH: Drinkers can suffer from irritated stomach lining and stomach ulcers. Malabsorbtion of nutrients. Bleeding may occur when vomiting

PANCREAS: Drinking can lead to inflammation of the pancreas - a potentially fatal condition.

KIDNEYS: Alcohol enlarges the kidneys, alters hormone functions and increases the risk of kidney failure.

SEXUAL HEALTH: Erectile dysfunction and infertility (reduced sperm count) can be common in men with alcohol problems. In women, drinking can lead to menstrual difficulties, decreased fertility and early menopause.

SKIN: Drinking can cause middle-age acne to develop. It also causes small blood vessels in the skin to widen, allowing more blood to flow close to the skin's surface - producing a flushed skin color. Palms of the hands also become red. Itching, rash and hives are common as the liver is impacted

NUTRITION: Excessive drinking increases the risk of malnutrition. The body suffers low intakes of protein, calcium, iron, vitamin A, vitamin C, thiamine, vitamin B6 and riboflavin.

CANCER Heavy drinking increases risk of gouty arthritis and increases the risk of cancer in the liver, pancreas, rectum, breast, mouth, larynx and esophagus.