What Are the Short -Term Health Effects of Alcohol Use?

A few short-term physiological effects are commonly associated with consuming alcohol. While everyone will experience the effects of alcohol in a distinctive way, drinking relaxes inhibitions, impairs speech and mobility and raises the heart rate. If too much alcohol is consumed, you may experience dizziness, nausea and vomiting. These short-term effects are a few of the many reasons you should stay out of the driver's seat after drinking.

Path of Alcohol

• The Partnership for a Drug-Free America points out that alcohol's effects vary depending on age, weight, gender and tolerance. When you ingest alcohol, it goes into your stomach and then is absorbed into your blood stream where it travels throughout your body and into your other tissue.

Loss of Inhibitions

• The loosening of inhibitions is an immediate effect felt by many drinkers. Alcohol can also cloud judgment, even in small amounts. As more alcohol is consumed, drinkers may continue to shed their senses of caution. This can lead to dangerous consequences, as the drinker may act without thinking in a way that can cause injury.

Speech and Mobility

• According to The Partnership for a Drug-Free America, impaired speech and talkativeness are signs of moderate alcohol intake. In the short-term, alcohol also affects your coordination and mobility. You may have trouble walking in a straight line or completing a simple manual task. You may experience dizziness. This effect on coordination makes drinking and driving especially dangerous.

Cardiovascular System

• According to the American Heart Association, drinking an excess of alcohol can raise the heart rate and the drinker's blood pressure. On the other hand, those that drink moderate amounts may have a lower risk of heart disease than a non-drinker. Talk to your doctor about safe drinking and your heart.

Nausea and Vomiting

• If you consume too much alcohol, you may feel nauseous. Vomiting may occur when your body attempts to rid itself of this toxic substance. Vomiting can be dangerous if the drinker is asleep or passed out. When lying down, vomit presents a choking hazard.