The physical affects of alcohol can wreak havoc on your life as well as have a detrimental effect on your appearance. At Advanced Liposuction Center, our Pittsburgh-area plastic surgeons meet with women and men every day who want to improve how they look. There are many aspects of life that take a toll on the way your skin and body look. Aging, the environment, pregnancy and lifestyle choices such as diet and smoking can all play a role in your appearance. Excessive use of alcohol can also have an effect. For example, chronic alcohol abuse can lead to broken capillaries and flushed skin on your face, creating an uneven, ruddy complexion. April is Alcohol Awareness Month. We would like to take this opportunity to discuss this sensitive subject.
Of course, your appearance is just one of the more minor ways that alcohol can negatively impact your life. Far more serious are the consequences to relationships, career, finances, emotional stability and overall physical health.
Signs of unhealthy alcohol use:
Alcohol disorder has some stages, such as mild, moderate or severe.
The more symptoms you have the serious your situation is, if you can experience the symptoms from the list then you must get medical help right away, here are some symptoms:
- Spending too much time on consuming alcohol
- Not being able to complete your assignment or project due to excessive use of alcohol
- Not being able to stop yourself from drinking alcohol no matter how much you try.
- Drinking alcohol continuously although you know it’s causing you financial, social and relationship problems.
- Consuming alcohol on daily basis, without any reason
- Focusing on alcohol consumption more than your social work, hobbies and activities
- Using alcohol everywhere, even in dangerous situations like driving, swimming or working
- Facing financial problems because of drinking or spending too much money to buy drinks.
- Arguing with friends and family when they try to stop you.
What are the effects of alcohol on the endocrine system?
Alcohol can have several effects on the endocrine system, which is responsible for producing hormones that regulate various bodily functions. Here are some ways alcohol can impact the endocrine system:
1. Disruption of Hormone Production: Alcohol consumption can disrupt the production and release of hormones from the endocrine glands, including the pituitary gland, thyroid gland, adrenal glands, and pancreas.
2. Impact on Insulin Levels: Alcohol can affect insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism, leading to fluctuations in blood sugar levels. Chronic alcohol consumption can increase the risk of developing insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
3. Changes in Sex Hormones: Alcohol can disrupt the balance of sex hormones, such as testosterone and estrogen, which can lead to reproductive issues, including decreased libido, infertility, and menstrual irregularities.
4. Effect on Growth Hormone: Chronic alcohol use can suppress the production of growth hormone, which is important for growth, metabolism, and muscle health.
Can alcohol use contribute to the development of mental health disorders, such as depression or anxiety?
Yes, alcohol use can contribute to the development of mental health disorders, including depression and anxiety. While some people may use alcohol to cope with stress or manage symptoms of mental health conditions, excessive or long-term alcohol use can actually worsen these conditions. Here’s how alcohol can impact mental health:
1. Depression: Alcohol is a depressant that can affect the brain’s neurotransmitters, including serotonin and dopamine, which play a role in mood regulation. Chronic alcohol use can lead to changes in these neurotransmitter systems, contributing to feelings of depression.
2. Anxiety: While alcohol may initially produce feelings of relaxation or reduced anxiety, it can actually increase anxiety symptoms over time. This is because alcohol can disrupt the brain’s natural balance of neurotransmitters, leading to rebound anxiety as the effects of alcohol wear off.
Alcohol’s Harmful Effects on Your Body
Eye Disorders
When intoxicated, pupils find it challenging to contract and expand as they normally would. The body’s natural physiological processes are compromised, making it difficult for the eyes to swiftly adapt to various changes in light. People who have been drinking frequently remark that a room is “too bright” when bright lights are suddenly turned on.
Additionally, alcohol interferes with the brain’s and the eyes’ ability to communicate. Double vision is a condition where the brain slows down how quickly the information from the two eyes synchronizes in the brain’s visual system.
Driving when intoxicated is highly risky due to the issue of double vision and delayed response to changes in light. Additionally, excessive alcohol consumption can impair color perception, distort peripheral vision, and weaken eye muscles. In fewer instances, drinking can lead to blindness brought on by damage to the optic nerve.
Inflammation of the pancreas
Damage to the pancreas, another vital organ that aids in digestion, is another long-term effect alcohol has on the body. The pancreas releases exocrine hormones to assist control blood sugar levels and digestive enzymes to aid in the breakdown of meals when it is operating regularly. But continued alcohol use will disrupt those processes, frequently resulting in pancreatitis.
Acute or chronic pancreas inflammation is referred to as pancreatitis. The pancreatic cells begin to suffer damage as a result of an excess of toxins released during the alcohol breakdown process.
Cancer
The chance of acquiring other malignancies, such as those of the mouth, esophagus, larynx, stomach, liver, colon, rectum, and breast, is also increased by chronic alcohol use. Acetaldehyde and alcohol itself are both identified as contributing factors to the elevated risk.
The effects of alcohol on the risk for upper digestive and respiratory tract malignancies are enhanced by concurrent cigarette or tobacco smoking, which is typical among drinkers.
We have many procedures to improve your skin, face and body, but being in good health is essential for maximizing enhancements and ensuring long-term results. At Advanced Liposuction Center, we want all of our patients to live beautiful lives. To schedule your free consultation, contact us by calling: 724-683-7581.