Alcoholism - Complications

Gastrointestinal Problems

Alcoholism can cause many problems in the gastrointestinal tract. Violent vomiting can produce tears in the junction between the stomach and esophagus. Alcoholism poses a high risk for diarrhea and hemorrhoids. It increases the risk for ulcers, particularly in people taking the painkillers known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin or ibuprofen. It can also cause inflammation of the esophagus (esophagitis), which can lead to bleeding in heavy drinkers.

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Alcohol can contribute to serious and chronic inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) in people who are susceptible to this condition. There is some evidence of a higher risk for pancreatic cancer in people with alcoholism, although this higher risk may occur only in people who are also smokers.

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Effect on Heart Disease and Stroke

Benefits of Moderate Drinking. The effects of alcohol on heart disease and stroke vary depending on consumption. Evidence strongly suggests that light to moderate alcohol consumption (one or two drinks a day, especially of red wine) protects the heart and also helps prevent stroke. The benefits are strongest in people at high risk for heart disease and may be fairly small in those at low risk.

Adverse Effects of Heavy Drinking. It should be strongly noted that heavy drinking harms the heart. In fact, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in alcoholics. The following are negative effects on the heart and the circulatory system from high alcohol consumption.

Evidence suggests that people who consume more than three drinks per day have abnormal blood clotting factors.

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Heavy drinking was associated with atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) in a 2003 study.

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Between 5 - 10% of cases of hypertension are due to alcoholism. Heavy alcohol consumption can raise blood pressure even in people with no history of heart disease. The more alcohol someone drinks, the greater the increase in blood pressure, with binge drinkers (people who have nine or more drinks once or twice a week) being at greatest risk.

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One study found that binge drinkers had two and half times the risk for heart-related emergencies than nondrinkers.

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Heavy alcohol use, particularly a recent history of drinking, is associated with a higher risk of both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke.

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Large doses of alcohol can trigger potentially dangerous irregular heartbeats, most often those called atrial fibrillation, which is a common heart rhythm problem in people with alcoholism.

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Alcohol abuse has also been associated with, and may actually be a cause of, idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, a condition in which the heart enlarges and its muscles weaken, putting the patient at risk for heart failure. Scientists have identified a genetic factor that appears to be responsible for this condition in certain people with alcoholism. Not all heavy drinkers develop heart failure and, in fact, moderate drinking can be protective.