Table: Effects of Prolonged Alcohol Use - Merck Manuals Consumer Version

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Effects of Prolonged Alcohol Use

Type of Problem	Effects
Nutritional
Low folate (folic acid) levels	Anemia (fatigue, weakness, and light-headedness) Birth defects
Low thiamin levels	Neurologic damage, dementia, difficulty walking and controlling eye movements
Low iron levels	Anemia
Low niacin levels	Pellagra (skin damage, diarrhea, and depression)
Gastrointestinal
Esophagus	Cancer Inflammation (esophagitis)
Stomach	Cancer Inflammation (gastritis) Ulcers
Liver	A bleeding tendency (coagulopathy) Cancer Fatty liver Inflammation (hepatitis) Severe scarring (cirrhosis)
Pancreas	Inflammation (pancreatitis) Low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia)
Cardiovascular
Heart	Disturbance of the heart’s rhythm (arrhythmia) Heart failure, cardiomyopathy
Blood vessels	Atherosclerosis High blood pressure Stroke
Neurologic
Brain	Confusion Poor short-term memory (poor recall of recent events) Psychosis (loss of contact with reality) Reduced coordination
Nerves	Deterioration of nerves in the arms and legs that control movements (reduced ability to walk) and sensation.
Genitourinary
Reproductive organs	Decreased sex drive In men, enlarged breasts, smooth skin, and shrinking of the testes

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