| Think alcohol is harmless? Think again. Now, let's not | | | | but if the drinking ceases, there is a chance that the |
| get excited. Not all drinking is a problem. Consuming | | | | condition can be reversed. 10 to 20 percent of people |
| copious amounts of alcohol can indeed be dangerous. | | | | who drink heavily develop alcoholic cirrhosis. This is an |
| Combining alcohol with many drugs, prescription and | | | | ailment that scars the liver and if a person suffers |
| over-the-counter, can be problematic. This practice can | | | | from it, he or she should not drink alcohol at all. There is |
| be dangerous, especially if combined with driving or the | | | | treatment for this condition but a liver transplant may |
| operation of heavy machinery. Any woman who may | | | | be needed for someone with life-threatening cirrhosis. |
| be pregnant or hopes to become pregnant will want to | | | | Death may occur if the drinking continues. Cirrhosis is |
| avoid the consumption of alcohol. Drinking while | | | | not reversible but if the person stops drinking, the |
| pregnant can cause serious birth defects. Many of | | | | chances for survival will improve. The chance for |
| these birth defects are irreversible and will cause | | | | some types of cancer increases for those who drink |
| difficulties for the child for the rest of his or her life. | | | | heavily for a long period of time. Cancer of the throat, |
| Fetal alcohol syndrome is the most serious of these | | | | mouth, esophagus and voice box are types of cancer |
| birth defects. Children born with FAS may have | | | | that may occur at higher rates in those who abuse |
| physical, behavioral and emotional problems. Scientists | | | | alcohol over a long period of time. Heart disease is |
| do not know how much alcohol a pregnant woman | | | | another condition that may develop when a person |
| can drink before a baby is affected with FAS so the | | | | drinks too much alcohol for too many years. High blood |
| best plan is to avoid all alcohol during pregnancy. The | | | | pressure and some kinds of stroke are other problems |
| above problems may be associated with periods of | | | | that may occur in people who abuse alcohol. |
| short-term drinking. Many other health issues may arise | | | | Long-term drinking may lead to pancreatitis. |
| when alcohol is misused over a longer period of time. | | | | Inflammation of the pancreas can cause severe |
| Liver disease is often an alcohol-related disease. More | | | | abdominal pain and it can be fatal if it reaches the |
| than 2 million people living in the United States have | | | | acute stage. Chronic pancreatitis may result in weight |
| problems with liver disease that is a result of drinking | | | | loss, chronic pain and diarrhea. Anyone who drinks |
| over a long period of time. The symptoms can include | | | | heavily for short or long periods of time may develop |
| jaundice, abdominal pain, and fever. If a person does | | | | any of these problems. Guard your health and watch |
| not stop drinking, alcoholic hepatitis can cause death | | | | the amount of alcohol you consume on a regular basis. |