What diseases are people who drink alcohol regularly prone to?

Generally, people who drink alcohol regularly are more likely to develop diseases such as alcoholic liver disease, chronic gastritis and gastric ulcers, hypertension and atherosclerosis, alcoholic encephalopathy, and gastrointestinal cancers. A detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Alcoholic Liver Disease

Alcohol is primarily metabolized in the liver, and its metabolite acetaldehyde can damage liver cells, interfere with fat metabolism, and cause fatty liver. Long-term excessive alcohol consumption may progress to hepatitis, liver fibrosis, ultimately leading to cirrhosis, and even increase the risk of liver cancer.

2. Chronic Gastritis and Gastric Ulcers

Alcohol directly damages the gastric mucosal barrier and stimulates excessive gastric acid secretion, causing gastritis, which manifests as stomach pain and bloating. Prolonged irritation can repeatedly damage the gastric mucosa, leading to gastric ulcers, which may result in complications such as bleeding and perforation in severe cases.

3. Hypertension and Atherosclerosis

Long-term alcohol consumption causes vasoconstriction and elevates blood pressure. It also interferes with lipid metabolism, increases triglycerides, raises blood viscosity, promotes atherosclerosis, and increases the risk of coronary artery atherosclerotic heart disease and stroke.

4. Alcoholic Encephalopathy

Alcohol affects brain neurotransmitters, initially causing tremors and memory decline. Long-term use can lead to cognitive impairment, hallucinations, and other symptoms of encephalopathy. It may also induce peripheral neuritis, causing numbness in the hands and feet.

5. Gastrointestinal Cancers

Alcohol and its metabolite acetaldehyde can damage DNA, suppress the immune system, and increase the risk of oral cancer, esophageal cancer, liver cancer, etc. The incidence of esophageal cancer in long-term heavy drinkers is 4-10 times higher than in the general population.

Long-term alcohol consumption significantly harms multiple organs. It is recommended to reduce alcohol intake and seek medical attention promptly if discomfort occurs.