Physical Signs of Alcoholism

In older adults, especially, too much alcohol can lead to balance problems and falls, which can result in hip or arm fractures and other injuries. Older people have thinner bones than younger people, so their bones break more easily. Studies show that the rate of various types of fractures in older adults increases with heavy alcohol use. Alcoholism has many devastating consequences if left unchecked, but one of its earliest tell tales can be identified through an ‘alcoholic face‘.

facial signs of alcoholism

Treatment for alcoholism often involves a combination of therapy, medication, and support. If you think you might have an alcohol use disorder or if you are worried that your alcohol consumption has become problematic, it is important to talk to your doctor to discuss your treatment options. In order to be diagnosed with AUD, a person must experience any two of these symptoms within the same 12-month period.

Cutaneous adverse effects of alcohol

This is an easy example of how to spot an alcoholic female that tries to hide her addiction. A person who regularly consumes large amounts of alcohol might also develop a condition known as alcoholic hepatitis, which refers to inflammation of the liver due to prolonged heavy drinking. Symptoms include abdominal https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/how-alcoholic-parents-affect-their-children/ pain with an enlarged liver, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), fatigue, nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite. In addition to weight gain, alcoholics typically have pitted or damaged creases on their skin and a visible yellow tinge as well as fine broken veins that spider across their cheeks and nose.

facial signs of alcoholism

Facial flushing is a common reaction to drinking excessive amounts of alcohol. A physical warning sign that a person is struggling with excessive drinking is red skin [4]. Adults of all ages who drink alcohol and drive are at higher risk of traffic accidents than those who do not drink. Drinking slows reaction times and coordination, and interferes with eye movement and information processing.

Redness of Face

In the long run, these arteries might dilate excessively, resulting in spider veins on the skin. Alcohol also can increase the size of other organs in your body, such as the stomach and liver. This is called ‘alcohol flush reaction and it happens when your body is unable to fully digest all the alcohol you’ve consumed. This means that the toxins in alcohol, including acetaldehyde, can build up in your body. In the long term, these vessels can over-dilate, leading to spider veins on the skin. Alcohol use disorder is considered a progressive disease, meaning that the effects of drinking alcohol become increasingly more severe over time.

  • The term “alcoholism” is commonly used in American society, but it is a nonclinical descriptor.
  • If the liver is coping well with the quantity of alcohol that it has to process, there will be fewer signs in the face.
  • Glicemic Balance Capsules aid in the metabolism of carbohydrates and supports insulin function and is helpful in curbing sugar and carbohydrate cravings when you are detoxing from alcohol.
  • If a person displays alcohol withdrawal symptoms, it is plausible that he or she has been indulging in alcohol consumption for quite some time.

People who take certain medications that alter alcohol metabolism can also experience the alcohol flush reaction. Such medications include those used to treat diabetes, high cholesterol, and infections. In addition, disulfiram, a medication used to treat alcohol use disorder, alters alcohol metabolism so that acetaldehyde builds up when a person drinks alcohol. The desire to avoid those unpleasant effects can encourage some people to refrain from drinking. Alcoholism, or alcohol use disorder, is a chronic disease that affects millions of people worldwide. Recognizing the signs of alcoholism can be vital in helping someone get the support and treatment they need.

Facial Signs of Alcoholism

An alcohol abuser can sometimes have unprovoked mood swings during the onset of the withdrawal symptoms, even though they do not usually suffer from mood disorders. Eye puffiness- As alcohol enters your bloodstream through drinking alcohol, signs of alcoholism it also increases the pressure inside your blood vessel, which causes them to swell. This swelling leads to puffiness in your eyes due to increased blood flow causing more fluid to be flushed from your body into your eye sockets.

  • Skin turgor- As mentioned, alcohol affects the size of many organs in your body, including your liver.
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