When a person drinks an alcoholic beverage, about 20% of the alcohol is absorbed in the stomach, with the remaining 80% being absorbed in the small intestine. The alcohol then enters into the bloodstream and circulates throughout the body. As alcohol enters the nerve cells within the brain, it interferes with communication between the nerve cells and all other cells. The excitatory nerve pathways are suppressed, while the inhibitory pathways are stimulated. This has the effect of causing sluggishness of the body, which is characteristic of the behavior of someone who is under the influence of alcohol.
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| SAY NO TO ALCOHOL! |
Depending on the level of alcohol within the bloodstream, certain centers of the brain are affected more than others. The first center to be affected is the cerebral cortex, which is why rational thinking tends to become blurred. As the alcohol level rises, it begins to affect the limbic system, involving our emotions and autonomic nervous system. The next center in the brain to be affected is the cerebellum, which among other things, affects our spatial orientation. This is why intoxicated people have difficulty walking in a straight line. And, if the alcohol level continues to increase, the next center to be impacted is the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, which together control the entire endocrine system of the body. And finally, excessive alcohol in the bloodstream reaches the medulla (brain stem), acting as a depressant on the entire central nervous system.
Regular consumption of alcohol damages BRAIN, MEMORY, LIVER, LUNGS, HEART, THROAT, MOUTH, NERVES, SKIN, STOMACH, SEXUAL ORGANS, MUSCLES AND BONES.
Some of the signs and symptoms of a malfunctioning liver include:
Jaundice -- yellowing of the skin and eyes
Fatigue and weakness
Loss of appetite, nausea
Red spider-like blood vessels visible just under the skin
Swelling of extremities, such as hands, legs, feet from fluid build-up
Swelling of the belly.
*Alcohol damages liver, as the liver gets damage increases other diseases to develop.
References:
http://www.ener-chi.com/ (Wellness Center from Andreas Moritz)
http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/ (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism).
