The more you drink, the higher your blood pressure. The Effects of Drinking Alcohol on the Circulatory System It also damages the cells lining the intestinal tract and affects the transport of nutrients to the blood. Regular heavy drinking can result in chronic gastritis, which is often difficult to cure, as it develops slowly over many years.Īlcohol impairs the body’s ability to absorb nutrients, including amino acids, vitamins A and C, minerals and glucose. Heavy drinking can cause heartburn, nausea, vomiting (sometimes with blood) and pain in the upper abdominal area. This condition is called acute gastritis. Gastric reflux can lead to reflux esophagitis, a more advanced condition involving inflammation and more severe acid back flow.Ĭhronic esophagitis can lead to ulcers in the esophagus or tearing in the mucous lining at the point where the esophagus joins the stomach.Īlcohol can cause an inflammation in the stomach mucosa – the lining that protects the stomach walls. Gastric reflux causes a back flow of acidic fluid from the stomach into the esophagus, resulting in an uncomfortable burning sensation. People who drink excessively are at risk for developing a condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD (commonly known as gastric reflux). Others will never develop pancreatitis, no matter how much they drink. Some people may develop pancreatic disease from drinking moderately (less than two drinks a day), while others may drink excessively before the symptoms appear. Acute pancreatitis can be treated and healthy function restored, but chronic pancreatitis causes permanent scarring and results in long-term impairment and the possibility of multiple complications. In 80-90 per cent of all cases, alcohol is the cause of both acute and chronic forms of pancreatitis. If drinking continues, the once-reversible conditions develop into severe hepatitis or cirrhosis in 25 per cent of cases. Alcohol-related liver disease progresses from a buildup of fat cells known as “fatty liver” (hepatic steatosis) to more serious inflammation (alcoholic hepatitis) and finally permanent scarring ( cirrhosis).īoth hepatic steatosis and alcoholic hepatitis are reversible conditions that in some cases may improve without long-term consequences if the person stops drinking completely. When a person drinks more than the liver can process, lesions begin to form. Liver diseases are the most common problems related to excessive alcohol use because the liver is responsible for metabolizing alcohol. The Effect of Drinking Alcohol on Internal Organs This happens either through drinking too much regularly or alcohol dependency (alcoholism). People who drink above the low risk drinking guidelines, or are dependent on alcohol, risk damaging major systems in their bodies, including internal organs and the circulatory system. Here are a few of the major body parts that can be damaged from excessive drinking. Continued, long-term use and excessive use of alcohol can do damage to your body.