Notes

Esophagus – The esophagus is one of the first things that alcohol comes into contact with when it enters the body. Drinking has long been known to cause esophageal problems like acid reflux disease. Called “reflux” from the Latin word refluxus meaning “to flow back or recede,” acid reflux is a condition in which the valve that separates the stomach contents from the esophagus cannot keep stomach acids from rising back up. Most cases of acid reflux are harmless, but if extreme cases are left untreated, they can lead to esophageal scarring, difficulty swallowing, and cancer.

Stomach – Gastritis, or inflammation of the lining of the stomach, can be caused by excessive alcohol consumption. Cells in the stomach lining effected by gastritis will not be able to produce essential acid and enzymes. The good news is that gastritis typically doesn’t lead to serious problems, but it can make life extremely uncomfortable. Common symptoms include abdominal pain, vomiting, indigestion, loss of appetite, and nausea. In very extreme cases, however, gastritis left untreated can increase the risk of stomach cancer. (Have you noticed yet that that word “cancer” seems to come up a lot?)

Liver – Most people are unaware of how important the liver is to the rest of their body. This amazing organ performs 500 different functions; without it, we could not digest food, control infections, or properly absorb nutrients. It is the liver’s job to filter all the blood in our bodies. It breaks down dangerous toxins and stores excess blood sugar, while also producing enzymes and proteins that break down fats and regulate blood clotting. Alcohol is one of the toxins typically broken down by the liver, so this organ is forced to work overtime when we drink. Constant, heavy drinking can cause the liver to become more vulnerable to dangerous inflammation, such as alcoholic hepatitis. In extreme cases, fibrous tissue will build up in the liver, keeping the necessary blood supply from getting there. This blood contains required nutrients; without them, the liver cells will eventually die off and be replaced with scar tissue. This condition, called cirrhosis, can lead to liver failure or cancer (there’s that word again). Disturbingly, cirrhosis was the twelfth leading cause of death in the United States as recently as 2005.