Alcohol
Alcoholics And Its Harmful Effects
Mr. Henshaw
Our patient was Mr. Henshaw. He is 45 years old. He has been heavily drinking since he was in high school. It has caused him to vomit blood. He has been unable to stop drinking.
What effect has alcohol had on the systems of Mr. Henshaw's body over the years? What must he do to become healthier? What resources are available to help him?
Effects On Brain
Steady drinking over many years can leave permanent damage. It reduces amount of brain tissue and makes the ventricles larger. It also deprives the brain of vitamins. One of the 'B' vitamins, Thiamine, is most commonly missing from the diet and can cause mental disturbances.
Effects On Heart
Since there are less vitamins in the diet, the pumping of the blood throughout the body is weakened. This could cause heart failure.
Effects On Liver
Constant alcohol in the body, causes liver cells to die and make the liver work improperly. This could be known as the disease called Cirrhosis. Two-thirds of cases of Cirrhosis in the UK are caused by alcohol.
Effects On Stomach
Drinking alcohol can irritate the stomach and cause sickness and pain.
Effects On Skin
Alcohol causes small blood vessels in the skin to widen, allowing blood to flow closer to the surface of the skin. This can cause a flushed skin color and a feeling of warmth. It can make you look unhealthy, tired, and older than you truly are.
Effects On Weight
Alcohol contains sugar and carbohydrates. Heavy drinking can cause serious weight problems.
Vomiting Blood
Alcoholics
Resources To Help Mr. Henshaw
-Seek medical attention
-Go to therapy
-Go to support groups
Words You Might Not Know
Ventricle: One of the two large chambers in the heart that collects and puts out blood
Cirrhosis: Scarring of the tissue of the liver
Hematemesis: Vomiting of blood, generally the upper gastrointestinal tract.
Thiamine: A vitamin used by the body to break down sugars in the die
Osteoporosis: Makes your bones weak and more likely to break