Complications of Alcoholism
| About complications: Complications of Alcoholism are secondary conditions, symptoms, or other disorders that are caused by Alcoholism. In many cases the distinction between symptoms of Alcoholism and complications of Alcoholism is unclear or arbitrary. |
Complications list for Alcoholism: The list of complications that have been mentioned in various sources for Alcoholism includes:
- Alcohol intoxication (see Alcohol use)
- Unconsciousness (see Syncope)
- Accidents
- Accidental death
- Accidental drowning
- Liver disease
- Cirrhosis of the liver
- Pancreatitis
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Congestive heart failure
- Impotence
- Menstrual disorders (see Menstrual irregularities)
- Dementia
- Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) - in children born to alcoholic mothers.
- Social problems
- Loss of employment
- Divorce
- Loss of friends
- Homelessness
- Blackouts (see Syncope) - loss of memory of events
- Loss of recent memory
Complications of Alcoholism: The consequences of alcohol misuse are serious—in many cases, life threatening. Heavy drinking can increase the risk for certain cancers, especially those of the liver, esophagus, throat, and larynx (voice box). Heavy drinking can also cause liver cirrhosis, immune system problems, brain damage, and harm to the fetus during pregnancy. In addition, drinking increases the risk of death from automobile crashes as well as recreational and on-the-job injuries. Furthermore, both homicides and suicides are more likely to be committed by persons who have been drinking. In purely economic terms, alcohol-related problems cost society approximately $185 billion per year. In human terms, the costs cannot be calculated. 1
Chronic and/or heavy use of alcohol is another major risk factor for esophageal cancer. People who use both alcohol and tobacco have an especially high risk of esophageal cancer. Scientists believe that these substances increase each other's harmful effects. 2
Complications of Alcoholism: medical news summaries: The following medical news items are relevant to complications of Alcoholism:
Footnotes:
1. excerpt from Alcoholism Getting the Facts: NIAAA
2. excerpt from What You Need To Know About Cancer of the Esophagus: NCI
Last revision: April 10, 2003
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