Alcoholism Complications

Alcoholism results in many complications that affect most areas of the body, from the brain to the bones. Complications such as early death, depression and heightened risk for injury can be attributed to the excessive use of alcohol. According to an in-depth report by the University of Maryland Medical Center, alcoholism can reduce your life expectancy up to 12 years.

Liver Disorders

• The excessive drinking of alcohol can cause an inflammation of the liver called alcoholic hepatitis. Heavy drinking over time can lead to cirrhosis of the liver, an irreversible disease that damages and scars liver tissues.

Gastrointestinal Problems

• Alcohol can damage the stomach lining and prevent the proper absorption of vitamins and nutrients along the digestive track. It can also contribute to ulcers and pancreatitis in individuals susceptible to them.

Cardiovascular Problems

• Drinking alcohol increases the risk for heart disease and stroke, because it can contribute to high blood pressure as well as damage the heart muscle. Alcohol also leads to other problems such as obesity and heightened levels of unhealthy fats in the bloodstream that can cause heart failure.

Birth Defects

• Drinking any amount of alcohol during pregnancy can cause problems like low birth weight and increasing the mother's risk of miscarriage. Heavy drinking during pregnancy can result in fetal alcohol syndrome, including growth and mental retardation in children.

Bone Loss

• Alcoholism is attributed to lower bone density in women. Excessive amounts of alcohol may prevent or interfere with the body's ability to make new bone tissue, thereby resulting in osteoporosis later in life.

Neurological Problems

• Excessive amounts of alcohol affect neurological function, causing conditions such as insomnia and headache, almost immediately . Excessive alcohol use over time can cause more severe problems such as difficulty solving problems, lack of short-term memory function and issues with attention span.