Page30 hypertension pressure , which represents a risk factor to the cardiovascular system . It is a fact that alcohol promotes arteriosclerosis . Cerebral hemorrhage is more frequent among drinkers . Beer contains less alcohol by volume , thus beer drinkers often take large volumes of this beverage . As a consequence of excess liquid , and the harmful action of alcohol on the cardiac muscle , heart failure is common among beer drinkers . The use of alcohol has an unfavorable influence on any weakened or defective condition of the heart . Alcohol causes damage to the muscle cells of the heart , causing their eventual deterioration .” [ You & Your Health , v1 , p . 424 ]
causing sudden and otherwise unexplained deaths . [ You & Your Health , v1 , p . 422 ]
Mixing alcohol with certain medications can cause nausea and vomiting , headaches , drowsiness , fainting , or loss of coordination . It also can put you at risk for internal bleeding , heart problems , and difficulties in breathing . In addition to these dangers , alcohol can make a medication less effective or even useless , or it may make the medication harmful or toxic to your body . Some medicines that you might never have suspected can react with alcohol , including many medications which can be purchased over-the-counter . Even some herbal remedies can have harmful effects when combined with alcohol .
NERVES
The immediate effect of alcohol on the kidneys is an increase in urine produced .
[ You & Your Health , v1 , p . 422 ] Alcohol is a true poison for the liver ‟ s cells . Regardless of dose , it is highly destructive to the liver , which it degenerates and destroys . It can also aggravate jaundice . The most publicized bodily damage from the continued use of alcohol is cirrhosis of the liver . The liver becomes shrunken and nodular and progressively ceases to function . This includes bleeding from the esophagus , accumulation of fluid in the abdomen , involvement of the spleen causing alterations in the blood cells , and lapse of consciousness .
[ You and Your Health , v1 , p . 424 ]
MEDICATIONS
Alcohol compounds the effects of certain other drugs that may be present in the body . A synergistic or potentiating effect takes place on some sleeping pills , or pain-relieving drugs
Alcohol is toxic to the neurons . Although at times it seems to relieve nervousness , its effect is always harmful to the nervous system in the end .” [ You & Your Health , v2 , p . 31 ] Alcohol depresses the nervous system . It is not a stimulant as many people suppose .
[ YYH , v1 , p . 421 ]
Long continued use of alcohol causes peripheral neuritis - an inflammation of the nerves which causes intense suffering .
[ YYH , v1 , p . 424 ]
REPRODUCTION
Alcohol increases sexual desire but diminishes the capacity to perform . Alcohol in larger doses produces sexual impotency .