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For some people, alcohol is a regular or occasional drink enjoyed at social occasions that causes no apparent harm, as evidenced by the comments and questions that have been pouring in.
However, even moderate alcohol use carries some risk, as alcohol causes breast cancer even a low doses, can damage the developing foetus before a woman even knows she is pregnant and can lead to addiction and dependence in any individual.
Long-term alcohol use increases the risk of breast cancer, with higher use resulting in a higher risk of cancer. A significantly elevated risk is seen from having even one or two drinks of alcohol a day. The risk increases on average by about 10 percent for every one standard drink of alcohol per day.
As there is no known safe level for using alcohol during any stage of pregnancy, it is advised that any woman who is pregnant or wishing to get pregnant should not drink alcohol. Drinking alcohol at any stage during pregnancy can affect the development of the unborn baby (the foetus) as alcohol passes through the placenta from the blood of the mother to the foetus.
The most extreme consequence of alcohol affecting the foetus is a miscarriage or stillbirth. In other cases, the baby can be born with significant permanent effects.
Long-term alcohol use can cause cancer of the large bowel/intestines and rectum. Alcohol can lead to malnutrition and diseases due to low vitamin levels, as it blocks the absorption of many important vitamins and nutrients in the gut. Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning that it causes water to be lost from the body through the kidneys (into urine), which can lead to dehydration.
Alcohol can also cause the loss of important minerals and salts from the body such as magnesium, calcium, phosphate, sodium and potassium either directly or because alcohol induces vomiting. Low levels of these elements can cause many problems ranging from irregular heartbeats to seizures.
Alcohol is a carcinogen, meaning that it causes cancers in humans. Regular alcohol use increases the risk of cancers of the mouth, throat and voice box. Drinking around 50g of alcohol a day (five standard drinks) increases the risk of these cancers by two to three times compared with non-drinkers, but for people who smoke, this risk is increased much more.
Chronic heavy alcohol use can cause acute pancreatitis (sudden inflammation of and damage to the pancreas that resolves over several days) and chronic pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas that does not heal and worsens over time). Acute pancreatitis typically causes abdominal and back pain, nausea and fever and may occur a few hours or up to two days after drinking alcohol. The pancreas is a gland that secretes digestive enzymes and releases insulin, which regulates sugar levels in the blood. Moderate alcohol use is associated with a reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
An alcohol free life begins with you!
Mthandazo Ndlovu is a drug prevention and rehabilitation specialist. For help call or WhatsApp 00263772399734 or email [email protected]
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derick.khumalo