Alcoholism And Hypertension : The Rising Concerns Of National And Global Health Essay

(Alcohol and Public Health,2017) study found the following: Binge drinking is a serious but preventable public health problem.

The pathophysiology of Alcohol affects virtually every organ system in the body. Therefore, consuming to much alcohol in high

Alcohol is the most abused licit psychoactive drugs that affect one 's ability to think rationally and distorts their judgement if consumed excessively. Alcohol addiction is an illness arising from prolonged and excessive intake of alcoholic drinks. An alcoholic is a person suffering from alcohol addiction. Prolonged excessive use of large quantities can eventually lead to chronic health diseases like cirrhosis of the liver, anaemia, cardiovascular disease, dementia, depression seizures, gout and alcohol related accidents and crime. Statistics show that 9 million people in England drink more than the recommended daily intake while an estimated 8.697 died of alcohol-related deaths in 2014. According to the WHO worldwide alcohol causes 1.8 million deaths (3.2% of total) and 58.3 million (4% of total) of Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs). Alcohol beverages with varied percentage content are consumed globally during religious, social, cultural events, festivals and other occasions. The use of alcoholic beverages has been an integral part of many cultures for thousands of years (McGovern, 2009). Over the centuries, there have been ongoing measures, research, interventions and policies which are aimed at promoting the moderate use of alcohol with a particular emphasis on preventing or reducing undesired outcomes. This essay will outline the key components of brief interventions in alcohol, the difference in approach with traditional methods of treatment and in conclusion, the

Alcohol abuse has become one of the principal causes of mortality and morbidity in the United States causing more than 200,000 deaths every year (Hendey, Dery, Barnes, Snowden, &

Alcohol use has spanned history. In fact, there is speculation that alcohol use actually preceded the formation of societies (Doweiko, 2015, p. 30). Thus, alcohol has long been a part of mankind’s life. The function of alcohol has unarguably changed throughout the course of history, as it was first used for nutritional purposes and then later on for religious purposes (Doweiko, 2015, p. 32). Today, alcohol serves a social purpose. In the United States, the prevalence of use is quite high, with just over 50% of the population partaking monthly (Doweiko, 2015, p. 34). This statistic is somewhat alarming considering alcohol use comes with a number of potential adverse consequences. Case in point, even

High blood pressure is also referred to ‘silent killer”. Hypertension leads to stroke, myocardial infarction, renal failure, and ultimately death, if the issues are not diagnosed early and well- treated (James et al., 2013). The association between high blood pressure and alcohol consumption was also studied according to which measurement of patterns of time, were recorded with reference to elevations in blood pressure due to alcohol consumption. It was found that a considerable increase in blood pressure at the time of morning; was associated with alcohol consumption independently of smoking by means of a dose-dependent pattern. There were twelve fold increments in risk for heart diseases in Men with severe hypertension. In addition, hypertensive patients, if drink alcohol then risk increases further and leads towards stroke (Hillbom, Saloheimo & Juvela,

The term “alcoholism” describes a drinker who is mentally and physically dependent on alcohol, and who would most likely have withdrawal symptoms upon trying to quit. This dependence prevents most alcoholics from being able to control when they drink and how much they drink. For that reason, alcoholics usually drink to excess despite the consequences. Alcoholism, like any addiction, is a chronic disorder which involves continued use despite negative consequences and requires ongoing treatment and management. This research paper will cover many aspects of alcoholism including the causes and effects of drinking and different treatment approaches.

Alcohol has been a mainstay of celebratory events throughout history and many people enjoy alcohol in a healthy way. Consuming moderate amounts of alcohol is even associated with health benefits such as reduced heart disease related mortality, and decreased risk of ischemic stroke and diabetes (U.S. Department of Agriculture, 2005). Moderate consumption of alcohol, according to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, consists of up to 1 drink per day for women and up to 2 drinks per day for men. Despite the potential benefits of moderate alcohol intake, excessive alcohol consumption contributes to significant problems at the individual, community and societal levels.

Immersing Daphnia in the ethanol indicated an increase in the heart rate. This relates to the fact that alcohol can have a big impact in the live of humans. Since the cross sectional part of the heart relates to that of humans. The increase in the heart rate enabled me to understand more about the how the increase in the heart rate when ethanol (Alcohol) is present in the body it can affect one's blood pressure [1]. In contrast, high blood pressure is somewhat indicates how one’s heart is beating really fast. This means that at as the heart is pumping blood through the vein and arteries in the body. The force the heart is using to pump the blood through the artery walls can cause a tear or damage of the arteries which can lead to death. Furthermore,

Alcohol related deaths are the third leading preventable source of death in the United States. Sadly, 88,0009 people, roughly 26,000 women and 62,000 men, die from alcohol associated causes each year. In 2014, alcohol intoxication resulted in 31% of all driving mortalities in the United States (Daunais and Davenport 2014). Alcohol intersects capillary membranes by diffusion, affecting almost every organ system in the body and affecting cellular functions. Alcohol causes metabolic imbalances either directly,

Alcohol is a substance that should be consumed in moderation, and should be used responsibly. Similar to any substance, there are consequences that come with the irresponsible and abusive use of it. Not only the drinker is affected by alcohol abuse. People around them including family, friends, potential offspring and even Canada’s Health Care System are affected too. Specific to the health care system, there is a burden placed on it in regards to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum disorder (FASD) a variety of disorders grouped together as a result of the abuse of alcohol while pregnant. Alcohol abuse is a factor that contributes to health issues that some women endure from engaging in activities such as the consumption of alcohol while pregnant. Thus, Canada’s health care system has to deal with the outcome associated with alcohol-related health problems, specifically, FASD.

Alcohol also has a significant affect on the heart. The heart is the main part of the body that needs to stay healthy and consumption of alcohol can cause irregular heartbeat, strokes, and high blood pressure. Consumption of alcohol causes many future health risks such as; increase risk of cancer, cirrhosis, fibrosis, and alcohol hepatitis (Heath 170).

Statistics show that alcohol composes of 10% of the UK burden of disease and death, making alcohol one of the three biggest lifestyle risk factors for disease and death in the UK, after smoking and obesity (HOC, 2014). It is estimated that around 7.5 million people are still unaware of the impact/damage that poor drinking habits cause to their bodies,

Excessive drinking was responsible for 1/10 deaths among the working age adults from the ages 20-64 years. Alcohol abuse led to approximately 88,000 deaths and 2.5 million years of potential life lost each year in the U.S. from 2006 – 2010. Such as 65% of suicides have been linked to excessive drinking, 70% of men who take their own life drunk alcohol before taking their life. Alcohol consumption causes death and disability relatively early in life. In the age group 20 – 39 years approximately 25 % of the total deaths are alcohol-attributable. Clearly alcohol has played a big role in deaths over the last decade.

The four major problems with alcoholics are depression, memory loss, organ damage, and reduced self-awareness. The most dangerous of all is depression, which can cause increased drinking tendencies, mental breakdowns, and suicidal thoughts. If drinking continues for a long period of time alcoholics can encounter liver cancer, stomach cancer, and other organ damage. Overall, alcoholism is a battle that far too many people are losing. Results from the National Household Survey (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 1998) suggest that as many as 40 million Americans drink more than the moderate drinking levels recommended by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (it varies for different sizes and sex) (NIAAA) (1995). "It is estimated that six million Americans persistently misuse alcohol, yet another eight million more are addicted, and one hundred humans throughout our nation will die each year from this"(Newsweek). Alcohol is one of the biggest causes of premature death in the United States. On average, people dying from alcohol related causes lose twenty-six years from their normal life expectancy.