Beer Drinking: A Deadly Habit Or Harmless Pleasure?

Beer is a popular alcoholic beverage, but it can be harmful and even lethal. Alcohol abuse is a significant problem and can lead to severe health issues and social problems. While mild to moderate drinking was once considered harmless, emerging evidence suggests that no amount of alcohol is safe for consumption. Alcohol use disorders can result in physical, psychological, and social effects, and the negative consequences can be far-reaching.

Drinking large quantities of beer, such as 2-3 litres per day, is considered excessive and can lead to serious health issues. This level of consumption can cause stomach problems and increase the risk of liver disease, including cirrhosis and liver cancer. Additionally, binge drinking can lead to alcohol poisoning, which can be fatal. It is important to recognise the signs of alcohol abuse and seek help if needed.

Alcohol poisoning

The symptoms of alcohol poisoning include mental confusion, difficulty remaining conscious, vomiting, seizures, trouble breathing, slow heart rate, clammy skin, dulled responses (such as a loss of the gag reflex, which can lead to choking), and extremely low body temperature. It is important to note that alcohol poisoning can affect anyone, regardless of their alcohol tolerance, weight, age, or gender.

If you suspect someone is experiencing alcohol poisoning, it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention by calling for emergency services. While waiting for medical help to arrive, there are several steps you can take to ensure the person's safety:

• Stay alert and calm
• Keep the person in an upright sitting position
• Ensure the person stays awake
• Sit with the person and do not leave them alone
• Be prepared to provide emergency responders with information about the person, such as their name, age, weight, any medications they are taking, and any other relevant details

It is important to remember that the effects of alcohol poisoning can be long-lasting and even life-threatening if left untreated. Therefore, it is always best to seek professional medical assistance as soon as possible.

Additionally, it is worth noting that alcohol abuse and addiction are complex issues that can have severe physical, psychological, and social impacts on an individual's life. Seeking help and support for alcohol abuse or addiction is crucial to mitigate the harmful consequences and improve overall well-being.

Liver failure

There are four stages of alcohol-induced liver disease: fatty liver disease, alcoholic hepatitis, alcoholic cirrhosis, and liver cancer. The early stages of this disease often present no symptoms, but as the disease progresses, symptoms may include pain or discomfort in the upper right side of the abdomen, fatigue, and unexplained weight loss. Other symptoms include abdominal discomfort, swelling in the legs and abdomen, darkening or lightening of the skin, dark bowel movements, and enlarged breasts in men.

Alcoholic fatty liver disease is the first stage of ARLD, where fat starts to accumulate in the liver. This condition can be reversed by abstaining from alcohol for several weeks or permanently, depending on the individual. If excessive alcohol consumption continues, inflammation levels can increase, leading to alcoholic hepatitis.

Alcoholic hepatitis can be mild or severe. Mild cases cause liver damage slowly over several years, while severe cases can come on suddenly after binge drinking and be life-threatening. Symptoms of alcoholic hepatitis include pain in the liver area, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), blood in vomit or stool, clubbing of fingernails, swelling of the lower limbs, and tenderness in the abdomen.

If alcoholic hepatitis progresses without treatment, it can lead to alcoholic cirrhosis, the most severe form of ARLD. At this stage, the liver is permanently scarred from alcohol abuse, and the damage cannot be undone. Symptoms of alcoholic cirrhosis are similar to those of alcoholic hepatitis and can lead to serious health complications such as portal hypertension (high blood pressure in the liver), ascites (fluid accumulation in the abdomen), hepatic encephalopathy (brain damage due to increased toxins in the blood), bleeding from veins in the upper digestive tract, and an increased risk of infection.

While liver disease can be prevented by drinking in moderation or abstaining from alcohol altogether, once cirrhosis develops, treatment focuses on minimizing further liver damage and addressing any complications that arise. In advanced cases, a liver transplant may be necessary.

Addiction

Alcohol addiction is a complex disease with many environmental, biological, and psychological causes. It is a chronic relapsing brain disease characterised by a loss of control over drinking and a negative emotional state when not consuming alcohol.

The transition from alcohol use to abuse and eventually addiction is gradual and influenced by several factors. These include the amount and frequency of alcohol consumption, age, weight, and gender, genetics, and mental health. Binge drinking, defined as consuming four or more drinks on one occasion for a woman or five or more for a man, is a significant risk factor for addiction. Heavy drinking, defined as more than two drinks per day for men or one drink per day for women, can also lead to alcohol dependence.

Alcohol addiction can have severe physical, psychological, and social consequences. Physically, it can cause cardiac issues such as high blood pressure, liver problems including cirrhosis, and a weakened immune system. Psychologically, it can lead to mood changes, increased irritability, aggression, memory problems, and anxiety. Socially, it can result in isolation, deceitfulness, conflict with friends and family, and decreased performance in various areas of life.

The development of alcohol addiction can be insidious, and recognising the signs of alcohol abuse is crucial. Some indicators include increased alcohol consumption, spending more time recovering from its effects, frequent intoxication, decreased self-care, significant weight changes, and increased injuries.

If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol abuse or addiction, seeking professional help is essential. Treatment options include inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation programmes, medically-assisted detoxification, and comprehensive alcohol treatment programmes that address the medical, psychological, and spiritual aspects of addiction.

Accidents

Beer is a popular and inexpensive drink, but it can be dangerous and even lethal. While mild to moderate drinking was once considered harmless, emerging evidence proves that no amount of alcohol is safe for consumption.

Beer can lead to accidental death in several ways:

• Alcohol poisoning: Drinking large quantities of beer in a short period can cause alcohol poisoning, which can be fatal. Beer has a lower alcohol content than liquor, so it is less likely to cause accidental alcohol poisoning. However, consuming excessive amounts of beer can still lead to poisoning.
• Drunken misadventures: Alcohol impairs judgment and coordination, increasing the risk of accidents, such as falling, car crashes, or choking on vomit.
• Altered body chemistry: Alcohol affects the body's chemistry, including lowering inhibitions, impairing judgment, causing loss of coordination, and altering brain function. These effects can lead to accidents or poor decision-making that may result in injury or death.
• Withdrawal: For long-term, heavy drinkers, abruptly stopping alcohol consumption can result in dangerous withdrawal symptoms, including seizures and, in rare cases, death.
• Health complications: Excessive beer consumption can cause stomach problems, liver damage, and other health issues. While these may not be considered "accidents," they are unintended consequences of drinking beer that can lead to serious health complications and, in some cases, death.

Stomach problems

Drinking beer can cause a range of stomach problems. Alcohol irritates the gut, including the stomach, and can cause acid reflux or heartburn. It can also lead to gastritis, which is the inflammation of the stomach lining. This can be caused by a single session of heavy drinking or by drinking heavily over a longer period. Symptoms of gastritis include a burning ache in the stomach, a constant pain between the navel and ribs, belching, hiccuping, and a bloated feeling in the stomach.

If left untreated, gastritis can lead to more serious problems, such as:

• Anemia, caused by bleeding in the stomach.
• Peptic ulcers, which are painful sores in the upper digestive tract.
• Gastric polyps, or clumps of cells, in the stomach lining.
• Stomach tumours, which may or may not be cancerous.

To protect your stomach, it is recommended that you follow low-risk drinking guidelines, such as not drinking more than 14 units of alcohol per week and having several drink-free days. If you think you have gastritis, it is also recommended that you eat smaller, more frequent meals, avoid spicy, acidic, or fried foods, and cut down on or quit drinking alcohol.

Frequently asked questions