Table 3.4.
Chronic effects of alcohol
| Possible effects | Biochemical changes | |
|---|---|---|
| Cardiac | Cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias | |
| CNS | Intoxication | Raised blood alcohol |
| Dementia | Decreased thiamine levels | |
| Wernicke–Korsakoff syndrome | ||
| Gastric | Gastritis | |
| Haematological | Pancytopenia | Reduced haemoglobin |
| Immune defect | Reduced platelet count | |
| Leukopenia | ||
| Macrocytosis | ||
| Reduced blood clotting factors II, VII, IX, X | ||
| Hepatic | Hepatitis | Raised gamma glutamyl |
| Fatty liver (steatosis) | transpeptidase | |
| Cirrhosis | Raised other liver enzymes | |
| Raised bilirubin | ||
| Reduced albumin | ||
| Intestinal | Malabsorption of glucose and vitamins | Reduced folate, thiamine and vitamins B12, A, D, E and K |
| Oesophageal | Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease | |
| Mallory–Weiss syndrome (tears from vomiting) | ||
| Pancreatic | Pancreatitis | Raised serum amylase |