Abstract
Purpose: Excessive alcohol, defined as beyond the limits suggested by various government and statutory bodies, is damaging. This article aims to show that there may be as many as 120–200 adverse medical conditions and pathologies associated with alcohol misuse.
Design and method: This review examines the different organ systems within the body and the effect of alcohol on nutrition, bone, skin, the gastrointestinal tract and skeletal muscle.
Results: We identified that nearly all organ systems have the potential to be affected by alcohol or its ensuing metabolite acetaldehyde; as a result, the presence of two or more pathologies or conditions in alcohol misusers is not unusual. However, there are genetic factors that make individuals more susceptible to developing alcoholism and alcohol‐related disease. These include genes for acetaldehyde formation and oxidation and possibly some neurotransmitters such as GABA, dopamine and 5‐HT. For example, in simple terms, subjects with the dysfunctional ALDH2*2 allele which oxidises acetaldehyde less effectively than those with the ALDH2*1 allele generate high concentrations of acetaldehyde. This acts as a deterrent to alcoholism as acetaldehyde produces nausea and adverse cardiovascular symptoms. At the same time those with the ALDH2*2 allele who do consume alcohol have poorer outcome measures than those with the ALDH2*1 allele, due to the cytotoxic effects of acetaldehyde.
Conclusions: Excessive ethanol consumption can lead to development of disease in many different organs, through its direct effect and also its toxic metabolites. However, not all individuals are susceptible and there are likely to be genetic as well as environmental factors that increase individuals' predisposition to develop alcohol related co‐morbidity.
| ADH | = | alcohol dehydrogenase |
| ALDH | = | aldehyde dehydrogenase |
| GABA | = | γ‐aminobutyric acid |
| 5‐HT | = | serotonin |
| ADH | = | alcohol dehydrogenase |
| ALDH | = | aldehyde dehydrogenase |
| GABA | = | γ‐aminobutyric acid |
| 5‐HT | = | serotonin |