Alcohol the exotic poison has been used since ancient times for intoxication. It is true that this social mood lifter turns into a deadly poison when it's consumed in abnormally large quantities. It is said that only the weak minded fall for this poisonous trap, but that is totally untrue. Social pressure, family problems and money matters are all responsible for alcohol addiction and women are as affected as men.



When we discuss alcoholism physical symptoms, we have to understand that symptoms begin in different individuals at different stages depending on the body's sensitivity to alcohol. Some are symptomless for many years while other show symptoms right away. The organs most affected are the liver, pancreas and the stomach; all other organs get affected as a consequence.

Alcoholism physical symptoms include liver dysfunction. In the initial stages the liver gets inflamed giving rise to minor jaundice like symptoms including nausea, yellowing of skin and mucous membranes and dark colored urine. The Liver is one of the main organs of the body for secreting bile, which helps digestion and many other metabolic functions like clotting factors. When the liver is affected all these functions falter leading to malabsorption and malnutrition. The final stage is cirrhosis of the liver which causes scarring and permanent destruction of the liver's cells. Alcohol also reduces the capacity of the liver's cells to regenerate, causing irreversible damage if not corrected in time.

Hyperacidity is the next initial symptom that's not fatal but one of the most irritating for the addict. This is the symptom which acts as a warning sign telling you that the body cannot take any more of the poison.

Landing the patient in the hospital can be caused by the sudden onset of Pancreatitis (severe pain in the abdomen). The pancrease secretes enzymes which help in protein digestion. When the pancreas is affected by alcohol it gets inflamed and is one of the most painful symptoms of alcohol abuse.

Brain and nervous system problems are one of the most visible and destructive affects of alcohol. Since it is an intoxicant it changes the mood of the person. These mood changes make the person violent and even self destructive at times. Many acts of physical violence occur during these episodes. A person under the influence of alcohol is not in his right mind, thus making him unfit to drive or perform any skillful act.