Alcohol and Aging

The impact that Excessive Drinking can have on the Aging Process

Heavy drinking can have serious health implications. According to WebMD in addition to taking a toll on your liver and increasing your chances of getting certain kinds of cancer, it can also age you faster than normal. In their 14 part slideshow on Alcohol and the Aging Process, WebMD explores how substance abuse and addiction can not only have a “direct effect on certain parts of your body and on your mental health as you get older” but it can also have some “unhealthy indirect effects.”

Dehydration

With age, the amount of water in your body can decrease making it more likely to lead to dehydration. Alcohol increases the likelihood that a person will be dehydrated since it “can pull more water out of your body.”

Dry Skin

Over the years your skin naturally becomes dryer, excessive alcohol consumption can amplify this process. This means the more you drink, the more likely your skin will get drier leading you to look older than you may be (or feel).

Damage to your Brain and Other Organs

Heavy drinking not only impacts your liver but can also cause problems in your kidney and other vital organs throughout your body. As reported by WebMD, “heavy drinking over a long time can shrink brain cells and lead to alcohol-related brain damage (ARBD) and certain types of dementia.”

Weakened Immune System

Alcohol may affect your immune system, as you age this can become particularly problematic. The weaker your immune system, the more likely you are to get serious illnesses.

Heart Problems

Heavy drinking “can lead to an abnormal heartbeat and high blood pressure.”

These are just a few of the complications mentioned by WebMD. Consuming excessive amounts of alcohol can also affect your judgment, your weight and your ability to sleep. If you believe you have an unhealthy relationship with alcohol you need to seek treatment immediately.