Alcohol, Tobacco and Drugs: Health Issues Flashcards
What are some immediate health problems cause by alcohol?
Slower responses (dangerous when driving)
Loss of coordination (dangerous when driving)
Vomiting (can choke on vomit when lying down)
Can’t assess risk (may think you you can drive a car but can’t because of e.g. slower responses - leads to death)
More agressive (domestic violence)
What are some later health problems cause by alcohol?
Coma Alcohol poisoning (death) Heart palpitations (death) Mixed with drugs can cause death Stomach pumped
What are some long-term health problems cause by alcohol?
Cancer - e.g. of the liver (some people ask to have liver transplants - controversial)
Diabetes and obesity
Depression
Addiction
What happens if you drink alcohol whilst pregnant?
The baby may develop ‘foetal alcohol syndrome’ - disrupts connection of nerves in the brain
Babies are more prone to illness, physical problems, learning and behavioural disorders
What are smoking-related physical health problems?
The chemical tar in cigarettes impair lungs making breathing and respiration less efficient
Coronary heart disease
Chronic bronchitis
What is the most common illness among smokers?
Throat cancer
What are smoking-related mental health problems?
Addiction
Anxiety which causes a vicious circle as to reduce the feelings of anxiety
Depression caused by the brain becoming less able to produce dopamine without a stimulant which causes the smoker to smoke more
What are health problems related to cannabis?
Contains carcinogens that can increase your risk of lung cancer
What are health problems related to cocaine?
Overstimulating the heart and nervous system can lead to a hear attack which can lead to death
What are health problems related to cocaine?
May fall into a coma and even death
Dehydration
What are health problems related to heroin?
Organ failure - lungs, liver,, kidneys, brain
Liver disease
HIV from needles which are used to inject the drug
What are health problems related to long-term crystal meth use?
Muscle breakdown Liver failure Cardiac arrest Stroke Brain damage
What are short-term affects of drugs on mental health?
Anxiety disorder and panic attacks
Psychosis
After taking drugs like ecstasy, you may feel depressed, irritable, tired, loss of please etc… - mood disorders
What are the overall health risks of taking drugs?
Addiction
Liver disease
Cardiovascular illness
HIV and AIDS
It is associated with paranoia, mood swings and aggression
Taken in wrong amounts or mixed can lead to an overdose and even death
