What happens to our organs when we drink,
smoke and do drugs?
Doctors Ought to CareUniversity of Wisconsin School of Medicine and
Public Health
Alcohol and smoking causes ulcers Smoking causes heartburn Smokers who get ulcers take longer to get better
Stomach
Ulcer in stomach lining
Lungs
Air-pollution = black spots Smoking = whole lung black Smoking = hard to breathe Smoking = lung cancer
Tar build-up in the lung
Cilia are the brooms of the lungs ◦ Cigarette smoke paralyzes cilia
Traps mucus and pollutants in the lung Leads to coughing
Lungs
Smoking clogs arteries Heart works harder Alcohol increases “bad” cholesterol and fats
◦ These clog arteries
Heart and blood vessels
Smoking, alcohol, drugs = heart attack
Clogged arteries = no blood to heart
Alcohol = less force from heart
Alcohol = irregular heart beat.
Heart Attack
Binge drinking = slower brain ◦ Slower breathing and possible death◦ Memory loss◦ Impaired judgment◦ Balance problems◦ Depression and anxiety
Brain and nervous system
Liver
Alcohol increases fat and scar tissue in liver Gallstones Swelling Increased blood pressure Decreased ability to process drugs and medications Inability to process nutrients properly
◦ You will have difficulty controlling your weight◦ You will have increased fat in your arteries
Healthy Liver
Alcoholic Liver
Scarring of liver = cirrhosis- Irreversible- No blood flow to scarred area, cannot function- Enlargement or shrinkage
Weaker muscles Dehydration and kidney damage Erectile dysfunction and testicular shrinkage Irregular or absence of menstruation Miscarriage and birth defects
◦ NO AMOUNT OF ALCOHOL HAS BEEN PROVEN SAFE AT ANY TIME DURING PREGNANCY
Other effects of alcohol
The fetal brain on the left is normal.The brain on the right is from a fetus that was exposed to alcohol, causing brain shrinkage and mental retardation.FAS is the leading cause of intellectual disability in the Western World.
Cocaine◦ Seizures◦ Racing pulse◦ Anger management problems◦ Paranoia
Marijuana◦ Loss of interest in fun activities◦ Decreased sperm count◦ Problems with memory and learning◦ Same effects as smoking on lungs◦ Depressed immune system
Other Drugs
Meth◦ Bleeding in the brain◦ Death of brain cells (neurons)◦ Extremely poor dental hygiene
LSD and mushrooms◦ Panic attacks◦ Memory loss◦ Impairments in abstract thinking
Other Drugs