The Effects of Alcohol and Smoking on Overall Health
The Effects of Alcohol and Smoking on Overall Health
Whether you are a beer drinker, a wine drinker, a bourbon drinker, or a hard seltzer drinker, you might want to understand what that alcohol is doing in your body each time you make the choice to take that drink. In many societies, alcohol plays a large role in its customs and traditions so it can be complicated to get away from the habit of drinking. And, I confess that this is one health-related decision that I struggle with. I enjoy the way that alcohol makes me feel and there are times when I choose to drink, even knowing the impact it is having on my brain and my body. However, I make this choice with a clear understanding of the pros and cons. After all, each one of us who is (legally) using alcohol is an adult and, as such, we get to make the choices that feel right for us. But, to make the best choice, it’s important to have as much information as we can. Read on to learn about how alcohol and smoking impact our brains, bodies and overall health.
Let’s take a broad look at the potential downstream risks of excessive alcohol consumption. Basically, alcohol is a depressant that affects our brains and central nervous systems. This leads to impaired cognitive functions, motor skills, and judgment. Acute intoxication can lead to alcohol poisoning, which is potentially fatal. Chronic consumption increases the risk of developing various cancers, including those of the mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, colon, and breast. It can also lead to digestive problems, including gastritis and pancreatitis.
Moreover, excessive alcohol intake can contribute to cardiovascular diseases. Hypertension, cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias, and stroke are more common among heavy drinkers. Mental health is also significantly impacted, with increased risks of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. Socially, alcohol abuse can lead to relationship problems, unemployment, and legal issues, particularly related to drinking and driving.
None of this sounds good. And, the reality is that most people don’t consider themselves heavy drinkers. However, we are learning that even small amounts of alcohol harm our internal organs, including our brains. Even when consuming what is considered a small amount of alcohol (7 drinks a week for women and 14 for men), scientists are finding that there is degeneration of both the gray matter (our neurons) and white matter (the connections between neurons) in our brains. This leads to a thinning of important regions of our brains, including the neocortex which is responsible for sensation, action, cognition and consciousness.
Additionally, alcohol contains ethanol, which is a known carcinogen. With each sip of alcohol we take, we are changing the makeup of the microbiome in both our mouths and our guts. This can lead to leaky gut, which is when small gaps are created in our gut lining that allow for larger particles to enter the bloodstream directly instead of being filtered out by the liver. When we allow ethanol to enter the bloodstream, it causes damage to our DNA which then leads to cancer. As stated earlier, the cancers most highly connected with alcohol use are esophageal, colorectal, stomach, liver, oral (throat and mouth) and breast.
As we all know, alcohol affects not only our brains and bellies but also other super important organs in our bodies. Our livers are responsible for filtering out the toxins in our blood. So, obviously, they play a big role in shaping how our systems deal with the toxic by-products of alcohol. In fact, when alcohol is broken down in our systems, the by-products are more dangerous than the alcohol itself. Acetaldehyde and free radicals are produced when alcohol is broken down which leads to inflammation in the liver. Eventually, this leads to scar tissue (cirrhosis) and fatty build-up (fatty liver disease). While fatty liver disease is reversible with abstinence, cirrhosis is not. It can lead to liver failure, requiring a liver transplant.
Additionally, alcoholic hepatitis, an inflammation of the liver, can develop which might lead to jaundice, liver pain, and fever. And, again, with the increase in free radicals and DNA damage to the cells of the liver, the risk of liver cancer increases.
Not to be outdone by the liver, alcohol also has a huge impact on our hearts. Alcohol in our systems leads to an increase in certain hormones that send signals throughout our bodies to constrict our arteries. This constriction impacts our central nervous systems and the receptors on the blood vessels near our hearts. When we are not getting enough blood to our hearts, this causes strain on the heart muscle and increases the risk of stroke and heart attack.
With repeated alcohol use, we can develop cardiomyopathy, a condition where the heart muscle weakens and cannot pump blood efficiently. Additionally, arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation, are more common in heavy drinkers. Chronic alcohol use can also contribute to the development of atherosclerosis, where plaque builds up in the arteries, again increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Alcohol use is a complicated issue for most of us. We often soothe our fears by recognizing that we are not alcoholics and can stop whenever we want. And that is true for most of us. However, there are those of us who are truly addicted to alcohol. Alcohol addiction (alcoholism) is a chronic disease characterized by an inability to control drinking despite adverse consequences. It leads to physical dependence, where the body requires alcohol to function normally, and psychological dependence, where drinking becomes a coping mechanism for stress or emotional pain.
The consequences of alcohol addiction are profound. We have already talked about the implications on our physical health, but there are tremendous implications for our mental health as well. Alcoholism can lead to depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders. Socially, it can result in strained relationships, job loss, financial difficulties, and legal issues. As most of us know from experience with a heavy drinker in our lives, alcoholism impacts not just individuals, but their families and loved ones as well.
For anyone struggling with addiction or has a loved one struggling there are support systems around. There are counselors and therapists dedicated to treating people with addictions. There are support groups like AA and NA for accountability and community. And there are people who love and support you who can provide encouragement and understanding. Please reach out to them. Also, for the loved ones of alcoholics, there is support for you too. Al-anon meetings are a great way to learn about addiction and to find community.
Although not as prevalent these days, smoking is another habit that can have significant health implications. In fact, smoking is the leading cause of preventable diseases and deaths worldwide. While most of us know that smoking is bad for our lungs, it’s interesting to understand what happens when we inhale that smoke into our lungs.
First of all, the smoke itself irritates the trachea and larynx, causing swelling. This leads to reduced lung function because less air is getting to the lungs. Additionally, the smoke can permanently damage the air sacs in our lungs which impairs our ability to fully exhale. This condition is known as emphysema.
Nicotine (the drug in cigarettes) temporarily paralyzes the cilia in our lungs. The cilia are little hair-like structures that work to filter out the dust and debris that we inhale when breathing. When these are not working, we are more prone to infections in our lungs. Combine this with the increase in mucus from smoking and we have a breeding ground for bacteria and infections. This often leads to chronic bronchitis. Bring together emphysema and chronic bronchitis and we have COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) - a debilitating illness that none of us wants to get!
Interestingly enough, however, this is not the whole story on nicotine! More recent studies are looking at the benefits of nicotine. As many smokers and dippers know, nicotine can have positive cognitive benefits. It can improve attention, concentration, memory, and information processing speed. It can also help with boredom and drowsiness. In some cases, nicotine has been shown to improve cognitive impairment caused by diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. So, while nicotine is not all bad, we need to be cognizant of the way we ingest it.
Obviously, the inhalation of nicotine through tobacco smoke introduces harmful chemicals, including carcinogens, into our lungs. As a result, lung cancer is major consequence of smoking, accounting for the majority of lung cancer cases. The carcinogens in tobacco smoke cause genetic mutations in lung cells, leading to uncontrolled cell growth and tumor formation.
Sadly, just because you don’t smoke does not mean you are safe. Inhaling secondhand smoke is just as bad for us as smoking! In fact, exposure to secondhand smoke increases the risk of developing respiratory infections, asthma, and COPD, even in individuals who have never smoked. Secondhand smoke is especially bad for children, leading to increased rates of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), ear infections, and respiratory illnesses. Studies have shown that adults exposed to secondhand smoke have a higher risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer. And, pregnant women exposed to tobacco smoke are at risk of complications, including preterm birth and low birth weight. Thank goodness smoking has been banned in enclosed public areas!
This seems obvious, but I need to put it out there - the more you smoke, the more damage is caused. Smoking accelerates the aging process too, leading to premature wrinkles, dental problems, and decreased physical fitness. As you can see, the cumulative damage to the body from smoking significantly reduces life expectancy and quality of life.
And, I know, quitting smoking is super hard! Nicotine is very addictive! If you are trying to quit, there are some good options for you. Nicotine replacement therapies (NRT) that include patches, gum, and lozenges, can help alleviate withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings. Additionally, prescription medications like varenicline and bupropion can also help you quit by affecting nicotine receptors in the brain.
If you want to try quitting without taking another substance, behavioral therapies, including counseling and support groups, provide psychological support and coping strategies for quitting smoking. Also, there are now mobile apps and online resources that offer additional tools and support networks.
Nothing about quitting alcohol or tobacco is easy. And, ultimately, the decision is yours. My hope is that this information allows you to make a more informed choice about what is right for you at this time of your life!