The Grave Health Risks to Women from Alcohol

Alcoholism affects 15.1 million people in the United States. This disease impacts the lives of 4.6 million women. As times have changed, so have our drinking habits. In my mother's day, women drank at home and not in public. Nice women did not go to bars either. Women are free to drink now just like men, but are they healthier for that freedom? Women alcoholics have a death rate 50 to 100 percent higher than males. They are at greater risk to die from car wrecks, depression-driven suicides, and alcohol related diseases. Their health is impacted earlier than men who drink the same amount. Women who drink more than one to two drinks a day put their health and life at risk. Why does alcohol affect women so differently? What are these grave health risks?

Physical Differences: According to experts women differ in their metabolism of alcohol, the effect of alcohol on their brain chemistry, how alcohol affects their hormonal system, and genetic factors. Women usually weigh less and have less muscle mass than males. They carry more body fat which does not absorb alcohol. Women also physiology wise have less water content in their body than men. When women drink alcohol, it is more concentrated in the blood stream, so effects are felt more quickly. Most women drink less than men but have greater health problems from heavy drinking.

Less Dehydrogenase: An enzyme used in the stomach to metabolize alcohol. Studies are showing than women seem to produce less of it so more alcohol is present in her system. They do not know why as yet.

Why Women Drink?: After studying thousands of women, experts know younger women drink more heavily than older women but for different reasons; alcoholism as a disease is a more serious problem in women aged 35 to 49 who live alone; married women who have jobs and family responsibilities have less drinking problems than women who don't have jobs; drinking habits often mimic those of her husband, family, or close friends; and women who are living with a man often drink more than married women or those with children.

These facts show that women often drink out of loneliness, depression, and from losing their heart goals in life. They may drink after their children leave home or during menopausal depression. For women alcohol abuse often is a symptom of pain in the heart and soul. The fact that women who are living with a man drink more, may mean she feels less secure about her life and her importance to her partner. Married women with children have more to live for and less reasons to drink. I have three children and grandchildren who love me. Even in the worst of years, having my kids and grandchildren give me joy and meaning to my life and heart.

Health Risks Increase With Drinking:

Nutritional Deficiencies: Alcoholics often are deficient in Thiamine or B1. It is important to the whole body and especially brain function. Drinking causes more urination so vitamins and minerals are washed out. B3 is another vitamin depleted with heavy drinking. Since most women who drink too much, eat improperly too, the heavy drinker becomes nutritionally deficient in EFA's; Vitamin A; all the B Vitamins; Vitamin C, D, and K; Magnesium; Zinc; Selenium; Calcium; and trace minerals. The stomach is compromised by the effects of the alcohol so digestive enzymes are needed to help with digestion.

Pregnancy Risks: Alcohol is passed into the fetus through the placenta which may cause bleeding, miscarriage, fetus death, or premature birth and low birth weight.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: Babies born from mothers who drink suffer withdrawal symptoms at birth; may have reduced coordination and movement; facial defects; physical impairment and mental disability or impairment. Drinking is not safe period when pregnant or breast feeding.

Liver Problems: The liver has many functions including breaking down alcohol into harmless substances and then clearing it out of the body by way of the kidneys and bladder. The liver also breaks down excess estrogen, helping to balance out our hormonal system. Even though women generally drink less alcohol and less per day, they will develop liver damage earlier. This liver damage includes liver disease, cirrhosis of the liver and hepatitis. Alcohol has a greater impact on a women's liver function. Researchers believe that the combination of estrogen and alcohol is responsible for this greater negative impact of liver damage.

Hormonal Problems: Women who drink heavily may experience severe PMS symptoms including increased pain, heavy bleeding, and irregular cycles. Hormonal levels that differ during the monthly cycle affect the rate of alcohol metabolism and intoxication sensitivity. Drinking may affect fertility and can lead to premature menopause.

Brain and Memory Problems: In women the brain is impacted more severely in drinking than in male drinkers. This affects their ability to drive safely, even though they have had less to drink than a male. Women have more fatal car wrecks than men having the same blood alcohol levels.

Increased Mental and Bipolar Dysfunction: The abuse of alcohol makes the treatment of bipolar condition and other psychiatric conditions more difficult to treat. Many alcoholics have mental disturbances as well.

Increased Breast Cancer Risk: Some studies have shown a greater risk factor for the development of breast cancer for moderate to heavy drinkers. More research needs to be done to verify this risk. It seems reasonable, since drinking affects women's health more adversely in many other ways.

Increased Heart Disease Risks: Even though women drink less, research shows similar damage in the heart organ over time, as seen in male patients who drink much more. Again it takes less alcohol to get to the same point, heart disease.

More Long Term Health Risks: brain injury; memory problems; cancer of the face, mouth, and throat; inflammation of the pancreas and stomach; increased lung infections; heart problems including high blood pressure; purse irregularity; heart enlargement; red blood cell abnormalities; body weakness; loss of muscle tissue; and skin changes.

Increased HIV and STD Risk: Heavy drinking is associated with risky sexual behavior and multiple partners. Protection often is not used during intercourse increasing risk for HIV and sexual diseases. Drug use may be combined with alcohol and sex as well.

References:

http://www.alcoholismresources.com/alcohols_effects_on_brain.html

http://www.alcoholismresources.com/alcohol_hiv_aids.html

http://www.alcoholismresources.com/bipolarism_alcohol.html

http://www.druginfo.adf.org.au/druginfo/drugs/drugfacts/alcohol.html

http://www.thewomens.org.au/Alcohol

http://www.cspinet.org/booze/women.htm

http://www.aboutdwi.com/blog/drinking-men-women/

http://www.marininstitute.org/alcohol_policy/women_alcohol.htm

http://www.druginfo.adf.org.au/druginfo/drugs/drugfacts/alcohol.html

Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research Journal, May 2005, pps 10-13

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