Joy Onuorah

Heavy drinking can have a direct effect on certain parts of your body and on your mental health as you get older. And it can have some unhealthy indirect effects, as well.

Dehydration

Drinking alcohol can pull more water out of your body and make your chances of dehydration even higher.

Rapid extrinsic aging

Extrinsic aging is when your skin ages faster than it should because of your environment and how you live. Alcohol dehydrates you and dries out your skin. You can slow that down by drinking less.

Weak vital organs

Alcohol can affect the way some vital organs work and make them age faster. While heavy drinkers are more likely to have cirrhosis

Slow brain

Heavy drinking over a long time can shrink brain cells and lead to alcohol-related brain damage (ARBD) and certain types of dementia.

Weak immune system

Alcohol can affect the way your body fights off life-threatening illnesses like tuberculosis or pneumonia. This can be especially serious for older people.

Poor heart health

Too much alcohol can lead to an abnormal heartbeat and high blood pressure.

Complicated health

Studies show that heavy drinkers can have a harder time with things like osteoporosis, diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, ulcers, memory loss, and certain mood disorders.

Lowers meds effectiveness

Excessive alcohol can affect the way your meds work. It can also lead to serious side effects.

Poor balance

Alcohol can affect your balance and sense of judgment. Over time, it also can damage the cerebellum, the area in your brain that handles balance and coordination.

Sleeplessness

Alcohol can actually keep you from getting to sleep and lead to restless slumber.