Toasting to Your Health
A CDC study revealed that excessive alcohol consumption was responsible for the death of almost 1 in 10 U.S. adults between the ages of 20 and 64. This means that approximately 88,000 lives are a lost to excessive alcohol use every year.
In recognition of Alcohol Awareness Month, this April, Community Health Charities invites you to help us raise awareness. Below are facts and links to resources you can share to help empower individuals to lead healthier lives.
Alcoholism impacts physical health in a variety of ways:
- Brain: Alcohol impacts the brain’s communication pathways, changing the user’s mood, behavior, decision-making, and coordination
- Heart: Heavy use of alcohol, whether over time or once, can damage the heart and lead to high blood pressure and stroke
- Pancreas: Alcohol causes the pancreas to produce toxic substances that can lead to pancreatitis
- Immune System: Chronic drinking weakens the user’s immune system, making them more likely to contract diseases such as pneumonia and tuberculosis
- Kidney: Alcohol can cause changes in the function of the kidneys, making them less able to filter your blood and potentially leading to kidney and/or liver disease
- Cancer: Clear patterns have emerged between alcohol consumption and the development of head and neck cancer, esophageal cancer, liver cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer
For more in-depth information on how alcoholism can impact your physical health, visit our kidney disease or addiction resources.
