What kind of disease is alcoholism?

Answer 1

No disease is caused by alcohol. However, alcohol abuse, especially over a period of years or decades can increase the risk of liver disease, Korsakoff's syndrome, and several cancers.

The moderate consumption of alcohol improves health and increases longevity.

Answer 2

Diseases associated with alcoholism

There are several scientific reasons for the prohibition of consumption of

intoxicants i.e. alcohol. The maximum number of deaths in the world related to

any one particular cause is due to the consumption of alcohol. Millions of people die every year only because of intake of alcohol. I need not go into the details of all the ill-effects of alcohol since most of them are commonly known. Below is a simple list of few of the alcohol related illnesses:

1. Cirrhosis of Liver is the most well known alcohol associated disease.

2. Others are Cancer of Oesophagus, Cancer of Head and Neck, Cancer of Liver (Hepatoma), Cancer of Bowel, etc.

3. Oesophagitis, Gastritis, Pancreatitis and Hepatitis are linked with alcohol consumption.

4. Cardiomyopathy, Hypertension, Coronary Artherosclerosis, Angina and Heart Attacks are linked with heavy alcohol intakes.

5. Strokes, Apoplexy, Fits and different types of Paralysis are linked with alcohol intake.

6. Peripheral Neuropathy, Cortical Atrophy, Cerebellar Atrophy are well-known syndromes caused by alcohol consumption.

7. Wernicke - Korsakoff syndrome with amnesia of recent events, confabulations and retainment of memory to old events with different types of paralysis are mainly due to thiamine deficiency due to excessive alcohol intake.

8. Beriberi and other deficiencies are not uncommon among alcoholics. Even Pellagra occurs in alcoholics.

9. Delerium Tremens is a serious complication that may occur during recurrent infection of alcoholics or post operatively. It also occurs during abstention as a sign of withdrawal effect. It is quite serious and may cause death even if treated in well equipped centres.

10. Numerous Endocrine Disorders have been associated with Alcoholism ranging from Myxodema to Hyperthyroidism and Florid Cushing Syndrome.

11. Hematological ill effects are long and variable. Folic acid deficiency, however, is the most common manifestation of alcoholic abuse resulting in Macrocytic Anemia. Zeive's syndrome is a triad of Hemolytic Anemia, Jaundice and Hyperlipaedemia that follows alcoholic binges.

12. Thrombocytopenia and other platelet abnormalities are not rare in alcoholics.

13. The commonly used tablet metronidazole (flagyl) interacts badly with alcohol.

14. Recurrent infection is very common among chronic alcoholics. The

resistance to disease and the immunological defense system are compromised by alcohol intake.

15. Chest infections are notorious in alcoholics. Pneumonia, Lung Abcess, Emphysema and Pulmonary Tuberculosis are all common in alcoholics.

16. During acute alcoholic intoxication, the drunk person usually vomits, the cough reflexes which are protective are paralysed. The vomitus thus easily pass to the lung causing Pneumonia or Lung Abscess. Occasionally it may even cause suffocation and death.

17. The ill effects of alcohol consumption on women deserves special mention. Females are more vulnerable to alcohol-related Cirrhosis than men. During pregnancy alcohol consumption has a severe detrimental effect on the foetus. Foetal Alcohol Syndrome is being recognised more and more in the medical profession.

18. Skin diseases are also related to alcohol indulgence.

19. Eczema, Alopecia, Nail Dystrophy, Paronychia (infection around the nails) and Angular Stomatitis (inflammation of the angle of the mouth) are common diseases among alcoholics.

Answer 3

The maximum number of deaths in the world related to any one particular cause is due to the consumption of alcohol.

Below is a simple list of few of the alcohol related illnesses:

1. Cirrhosis of Liver is the most well known alcohol associated disease.

2. Others are Cancer of Oesophagus, Cancer of Head and Neck, Cancer of

Liver (Hepatoma), Cancer of Bowel, etc.

3. Oesophagitis, Gastritis, Pancreatitis and Hepatitis are linked with alcohol

consumption.

4. Cardiomyopathy, Hypertension, Coronary Artherosclerosis, Angina and

Heart Attacks are linked with heavy alcohol intakes.

5. Strokes, Apoplexy, Fits and different types of Paralysis are linked with

alcohol intake.

6. Peripheral Neuropathy, Cortical Atrophy, Cerebellar Atrophy are well-known

syndromes caused by alcohol consumption.

7. Wernicke - Korsakoff syndrome with amnesia of recent events,

confabulations and retainment of memory to old events with different types

of paralysis are mainly due to thiamine deficiency due to excessive alcohol

intake.

8. Beriberi and other deficiencies are not uncommon among alcoholics. Even

Pellagra occurs in alcoholics.

9. Delerium Tremens is a serious complication that may occur during recurrent

infection of alcoholics or post operatively. It also occurs during abstention as

a sign of withdrawal effect. It is quite serious and may cause death even if

treated in well equipped centres.

10. Numerous Endocrine Disorders have been associated with alcoholism

ranging from Myxodema to Hyperthyroidism and Florid Cushing Syndrome.

11. Hematological ill effects are long and variable. Folic acid deficiency,

however, is the most common manifestation of alcoholic abuse resulting in

Macrocytic Anemia. Zeive's syndrome is a triad of Hemolytic Anemia,

Jaundice and Hyperlipaedemia that follows alcoholic binges.

12. Thrombocytopenia and other platelet abnormalities are not rare in

alcoholics.

13. The commonly used tablet metronidazole (flagyl) interacts badly with

alcohol.

14. Recurrent infection is very common among chronic alcoholics. The

resistance to disease and the immunological defense system are

compromised by alcohol intake.

15. Chest infections are notorious in alcoholics. Pneumonia, Lung Abcess,

Emphysema and Pulmonary Tuberculosis are all common in alcoholics.

16. During acute alcoholic intoxication, the drunk person usually vomits, the

cough reflexes which are protective are paralysed. The vomitus thus easily

pass to the lung causing Pneumonia or Lung Abscess. Occasionally it may

even cause suffocation and death.

17. The ill effects of alcohol consumption on women deserves special mention.

Females are more vulnerable to alcohol-related Cirrhosis than men. During

pregnancy alcohol consumption has a severe detrimental effect on the

foetus. Foetal Alcohol Syndrome is being recognised more and more in the

medical profession.

18. Skin diseases are also related to alcohol indulgence.

19. Eczema, Alopecia, Nail Dystrophy, Paronychia (infection around the nails)

and Angular Stomatitis (inflammation of the angle of the mouth) are

common diseases among alcoholics.

Answer 4

Liver disease , mouth cancer, breast cancer and impotence

Liver disease , mouth cancer, Breast cancer and impotence

Answer 5

Alcoholism is an addictive disorder. Basically the afflicted drinks so much alcohol so regularly that their body develops a chemical need for alcohol to function.