Question

How does chronic alcohol abuse impact the body's elimination process?

Answer 1

Chronic alcohol use affect our elimination process(i.e. excretory system ) in following ways-

1. The main function of kidneys is to maintain a good electrolyte balance in body. Alcohol act as a diuretic thus increases urine volume. This diuresis effect of alcohol is responsible for disturbance of electrolyte balance in body. Thus elimination of some electrolytes are disturbed.

2. Excessive of alcohol consumption will cause increase fluids in body. This will decrease the concentration of sodium in body i.e. hyponatremia.

3. Long term use of alcohol will thicken the basement membrane of glomerulus. This will lead to less filtration through kidney and elimination process of many key electrolytes is disturbed.

4. The renal tubules are also enlarged if alcohol is consumed for a long period of time. This will cause acid base imbalance in body.

5. As the alcohol use affect the liver, impairment of liver function will lead to impaired sodium and fluid balance. Also the kidney's size is increased in chronic alcohol consumption. Long term use can also lead to renal failure .