Medical Health Encyclopedia

Injury Disease Nutrition Poison Symptoms Surgery Test Special Topic

A B C D F G H I K L M N P R S T V W Z

Overview Food Sources Recommendations Side Effects

Alcohol and diet

Alternative Names: Liquor; Diet - alcohol Side Effects: Alcohol is an addictive substance. Text Continues Below Alcohol is a leading cause of traffic accidents in the United States because it slows reaction time and impairs your judgment. The liver detoxifies (or metabolizes) alcohol. Continued, excessive use of alcohol can damage the liver You can develop alcoholic hepatitis and then a fatty liver. A fatty liver can progress to cirrhosis of the liver, a potentially fatal condition. Alcohol is a risk factor for development of cancer of the esophagus, throat, larynx, mouth, and breast. The presence of alcohol impairs the absorption of essential nutrients because it can damage the lining of the small intestine and the stomach where most nutrients are digested. Alcohol also requires some vitamins in its metabolism, and it interferes with the absorption and storage of some specific vitamins. Alcohol can impair sexual function, even though it may increase your interest in sexual activity. Alcohol intake during pregnancy has been identified as the cause of fetal alcohol syndrome.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2004 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.