Alcoholism : Complications
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Complications could include:
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Brain Degeneration
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Heart injury
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Pancreatitis; Heart muscle damage; Nerve damage; Esophageal bleeding; Brain degeneration; Cirrhosis of the liver; Delirium tremens (DTs; Depression; Erectile dysfunction; Fetal alcohol syndrome in the offspring of alcoholic women; High blood press...
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Effects of long-term (chronic) alcoholism. A child born to an alcohol using woman has a great risk of being born with fetal alcohol syndrome, which causes distinctive cranial and facial defects, including a smaller head size, shortening of the...
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The prognosis for recovery from alcoholism varies widely. As of 2001, it is difficult to compare the outcomes of the various treatment approaches to alcoholism, in part because their definitions of "success" vary.
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The prognosis for recovery from alcoholism varies widely. It is difficult to compare the outcomes of the various treatment approaches to alcoholism, in part because their definitions of "success" vary.
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This is because most researchers in the field believe that since the potential for alcoholism is still part of the individual's biological and psychological makeup, one can never fully recover from alcoholism.
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The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence estimates that parents who talk with their children regularly about the danger from drugs (including alcohol) have children who are 42 percent less likely to use these substances.
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Recovery from alcoholism is a lifelong process. In fact, the person who has suffered from alcoholism is encouraged to refer to himself or herself ever after as "a recovering alcoholic," never a recovered alcoholic.
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Delirium tremens is a disorder involving sudden and severe mental changes ( psychosis ) or neurologic changes (including seizures ) caused by abruptly stopping the use of alcohol. Rapid pulse rate, elevated blood pressure, and temperature elevation also may be present.
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Cirrhosis is the result of chronic liver disease that causes scarring of the liver and liver dysfunction. This often has many complications, including accumulation of fluid in the abdomen ( ascites ), bleeding disorders ( coagulopathy ), increased pressure in the blood vessels of the liver (portal hypertension ), and confusion or a change in the level of consciousness ( hepatic encephalopathy ).
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Cirrhosis is a chronic, degenerative disease in which normal liver cells are damaged and are then replaced by scar tissue. Cirrhosis changes the structure of the liver and the blood vessels that nourish it.
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Understanding CirrhosisThe LiverThe liver is a large organ in the upper right part of the abdominal cavity. A healthy liver metabolizes proteins, carbohydrates, and fats.
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Cirrhosis is a chronic degenerative disease of the liver in which normal liver cells are damaged and then replaced by scar tissue. There are different types of cirrhosis that could afflict a person.
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The term " cirrhosis " was first used by Ren e La e nnec (1781-1826) to describe the abnormal liver color of individuals with alcohol-induced liver disease. The word cirrhosis comes from the Greek word kirrhos , the name for a yellowish-brown color.
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Treating CirrhosisAn evaluation helps your doctor find the cause of your liver problem. You may have a health history, an exam, and some tests.
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Depression may be described as feeling sad, blue, unhappy, miserable, or down in the dumps. Most of us feel this way at one time or another for short periods. But true clinical depression is a mood disorder in which feelings of sadness, loss, anger, or frustration interfere with everyday life for an extended time. See also depression in the elderly and adolescent depression .
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Depression, also known as depressive disorders or unipolar depression, is a mental illness characterized by a profound and persistent feeling of sadness or despair and/or a loss of interest in things that once were pleasurable. Disturbance in sleep, appetite, and mental processes are a common accompaniment.
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Depression is sometimes referred to as the common cold of mental illness. It is a debilitating disease with significant societal costs.
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Erectile dysfunction (ED) may be defined as the consistent inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient to permit satisfactory sexual intercourse. The word "consistent" is included in the definition because most men experience transient episodes of ED that are temporary and usually associated with fatigue , anger, depression or other stressful emotions.
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Many men have ED sometime during their lives. It can be discouraging, but it can also be treated. Work with your doctor to find the best treatment for you.
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Evaluating ED begins with your patient history. Your doctor will ask about your physical health, sexual health, relationship, and emotional health. Your answers will be kept confidential, so answer as completely as you can.
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Special erectile aids are sometimes used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). These are prescribed by a doctor.
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Surgery for erectile dysfunction is not common, but it may be the best treatment in some cases.
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Renew your intimacy along with your sex life. Learn to talk with, and listen to, your partner. And remember that your value as a man goes beyond what you do in bed.
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Be aware that men with certain health problems should not use some of these medications. And all medications may cause side effects.
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Penile Self-Injection ProcedureSelf-injection is a good option for many men with erectile dysfunction (ED). A tiny needle is used to inject medication into the penis.
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Bleeding esophageal varices result from dilated (wider than normal) veins in the walls of the lower part of the esophagus and sometimes the upper part of the stomach.
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Fetal alcohol syndrome is the manifestation of specific growth, mental, and physical birth defects associated with the mother's high levels of alcohol use during pregnancy.
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Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a set of physical and mental birth defects that can result from a woman drinking alcohol during her pregnancy. The syndrome is characterized by brain damage, facial deformities, and growth deficits.
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Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a pattern of birth defects, learning, and behavioral problems affecting individuals whose mothers consumed alcohol during pregnancy. FAS is the most common preventable cause of mental retardation.
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Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a pattern of birth defects, learning, and behavioral problems affecting individuals whose mothers consumed alcohol during pregnancy. FAS is the most common preventable cause of mental retardation.
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Drinking a small amount of alcohol isn’t harmful unless you are pregnant. That's because any alcohol you drink also affects your baby. Sometimes, even a small amount of alcohol may cause birth defects.
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The adverse and chronic effects of maternal alcohol abuse during pregnancy on her infant. The effects of heavy maternal alcohol use during pregnancy were first described as fetal alcohol syndrome Facial features of fetal alcohol syndrome.
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Fetal alcohol syndrome, or FAS, refers to a consistent pattern of birth defects found in some individuals whose mothers drank alcohol during their pregnancy. It is the most devastating outcome of prenatal alcohol exposure.
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Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a pattern of birth defects and learning and behavioral problems affecting individuals whose mothers consumed alcohol during pregnancy . FAS is the most common preventable cause of mental retardation.
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Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a pattern of birth defects , learning, and behavioral problems affecting individuals whose mothers consumed alcohol during pregnancy . FAS is the most common preventable cause of mental retardation .
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Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers include cancer of the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, rectum, and anus as well as cancers of the liver, pancreas, gallbladder, and biliary system. The GI tract, or digestive tract, starts from the oral cavity (mouth) and proceeds to the esophagus, the stomach, the duodenum, the small intestine, the large intestine (colon and rectum), and the anus.
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Hypertension means high blood pressure. This generally means: Systolic blood pressure is consistently over 140 (systolic is the "top" number of your blood pressure measurement, which represents the pressure generated when the heart beats) Diastolic blood pressure is consistently over 90 (diastolic is the "bottom" number of your blood pressure measurement, which represents the pressure in the vessels when the heart is at rest) Either or both of these numbers may be too high. Pre-hypertension is when your systolic blood pressure is between 120 and 139 or your diastolic blood pressure is between 80 and 89 on multiple readings. If you have pre-hypertension, you are likely to develop high blood pressure at some point. Therefore, your doctor will recommend lifestyle changes to bring your blood pressure down to normal range.
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Blood pressure is the force with which blood pushes against the artery walls as it travels through the body. Like air in a balloon, blood fills arteries to a certain capacity- and just as too much air pressure can cause damage to a balloon, too much blood pressure can harm healthy arteries.
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Also known as high blood pressure, a condition in which too much force is exerted by the blood as it travels through the body ' s arteries. There are two types of hypertension: primary and secondary.
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Each day that your blood pressure is too high, your chances of having a stroke are increased.
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Hypertension is the medical term for high blood pressure. Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of arteries as it flows through them.
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The National High Blood Pressure Education Program (NHBPEP) was established in 1972 by the National Institute of Health to translate research results on the health hazards of high blood pressure into clinical and public health practice. Before 1900, high blood pressure, or hypertension, was not generally recognized as a health problem.
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High blood pressure (hypertension) is called the silent killer. This is because many people who have it don’t know it. You can take an easy test to see if your blood pressure is too high. If it is high, you can take steps to lower it. Doing so could save your life.
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Risk factors are things that make you more likely to have a disease or condition. Do you know your risk factors for high blood pressure?
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Hypertension is high blood pressure. Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of arteries.
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Hypertension is high blood pressure. Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of arteries as it flows through them.
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Hypertension is high blood pressure . Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of arteries as it flows through them.
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Insomnia is the inability to obtain an adequate amount or quality of sleep. The difficulty can be in falling asleep, remaining asleep, or both.
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Insomnia is a condition that occurs when a person in unable to get long enough or refreshing enough sleep at night. Insomnia can result from an inability to fall asleep, an inability to stay asleep, or waking too early before having gotten enough sleep.
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Insomnia is the inability to obtain an adequate amount or quality of sleep. The difficulty can be in falling asleep, remaining asleep, or both.
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Treating InsomniaGood sleeping habits are a key part of treatment. If needed, some medications may help you sleep better at first.
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A pinched nerve is caused by some anatomical structure putting pressure on a nerve and impairing its function. This problem may occur in many different areas of the body.
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A pinched nerve is a general term that describes an injury to a nerve or group of nerves. The damage may include compression, constriction or stretching.
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Nerve compression is the restriction in the space around a nerve that can occur due to several reasons. Functioning of the nerve is compromised.
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Malnutrition is the condition that occurs when a person's body is not getting enough nutrients. The condition may result from an inadequate or unbalanced diet, digestive difficulties, absorption problems, or other medical conditions.
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Malnutrition is a condition that develops when the body does not get the proper amount of protein, energy (calories), vitamins , and other nutrients it needs to maintain healthy tissues and organ function. Poor eating habits or lack of available food may lead to malnutrition.
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The nutritional requirements of the human body reflect the nutritional intake necessary to maintain optimal body function and to meet the body ' s daily energy needs. Malnutrition (literally, " bad nutrition " ) is defined as " inadequate nutrition, " and while most people interpret this as undernutrition , falling short of daily nutritional requirements, it can also mean overnutrition, meaning intake in excess of what the body uses.
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Malnutrition is the condition that develops when the body does not get the right amount of the vitamins , minerals , and other nutrients it needs to maintain healthy tissues and organ function. Undernutrition Malnutrition occurs in people who are either under-nourished or over-nourished.
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Pancreatitis is an inflammation or infection of the pancreas -- an elongated, tapered gland that is located behind the stomach. The pancreas secretes digestive enzymes and the hormones insulin and glucagon .
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Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas , an organ that is important in digestion. In pancreatitis, normal digestive enzymes act abnormally to break down the pancreas itself.
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Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas, an organ that is important in digestion. Pancreatitis can be acute, beginning suddenly, usually with the patient recovering fully; or chronic, progressing slowly with permanent injury to the pancreas.
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Understanding PancreatitisIf your pancreas suddenly becomes irritated or inflamed, you haveacute pancreatitis.Acute pancreatitis is often very painful. Emergency medical treatment is usually needed.Symptoms of Acute PancreatitisSevere pain in your...
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Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas, an organ that is important in digestion. Pancreatitis can be acute (beginning suddenly, usually with the patient recovering fully) or chronic (progressing slowly with continued, permanent injury to the pancreas).
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Suicide is defined as the intentional taking of one's own life. In some European languages, the word for suicide translates into English as "self-murder " Until the end of the twentieth century, approximately, suicide was considered a criminal act; legal terminology used the Latin phrase felo-de-se , which means "a crime against the self.
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Warning Signs of Suicide and What You Can DoIf you think a person could be suicidal, ask, "Have you thought about suicide?" If they say "yes," they may already have a plan for how and when they will attempt it.
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Alternative terms: Deliberate self-harm The phenomenon of deliberate self-harm, often with a wish to die. Suicide is the third leading cause of death among adolescents, occurring at a rate of 10.
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Suicide is the act of ending one ' s own life. Suicidal behavior are thoughts or tendencies that put a person at risk for committing suicide.
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Suicide is defined as the act of deliberately taking one ' s own life. It occurs most often in response to a crisis such as a death or the loss of a relationship or job.
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Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is a brain disorder involving loss of specific brain functions caused by a thiamine deficiency .
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Korsakoff ' s syndrome is a memory disorder which is caused by a deficiency of vitamin B 1 , also called thiamine. In the United States, the most common cause of thiamine deficiency is alcoholism .
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Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is a severe memory disorder usually associated with chronic excessive alcohol consumption, although the direct cause is a deficiency in the B vitamin thiamin. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR), the professional handbook that aids clinicians in diagnosing patients ' mental disorders, refers to Korsakoff syndrome as alcohol-induced persisting amnestic disorder and includes it under the category of substance-induced persisting amnestic disorders .
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