Personal Health Care, Part 4
Question 1: How does alcohol effect the brain?
Answer 1: When consumed in low volume, alcohol alters the areas of the brain that influence behavior in a way that makes the individual feel more relaxed and less inhibited. Of course, this is accompanied by deficits in concentration, memory, judgment, and motor control. Heavy drinkers may experience long-term intelligence and memory impairment. This occurs because alcohol depresses the central nervous system and slows down the activity of the neurons in the brain. This dulling of mental reactions increases in proportion to the amount of alcohol consumed and can culminate in unconsciousness, coma, or even death. Although one or two drinks may have a pleasant tranquilizing effect, many more can entirely snuff out central nervous system activity.
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Question 2: Describe and discuss the effects of alcohol on behavior and judgment.
Answer 2: Alcohol has a number of effects on behavior and judgment. It is known to impair sensory perceptions: the eye is less able to adjust to bright lights, and the ear has difficulty distinguishing sounds. The senses of smell and taste are also diminished by excessive consumption of alcohol. Alcohol will decrease sensitivity in general, making it possible for individuals to feel comfortable in extreme temperatures that may be hazardous to their health. Intoxication typically causes an impairment of motor skills, meaning that activities performed with the muscles cannot be done with any precision or coordination. Intoxication usually has a negative effect on sexual performance, even though it may increase interest in sexual activity.
Question 3: Describe and discuss tobacco and cancer.
Answer 3: The risk of cancer in a smoker rises in proportion to the number of cigarettes smoked daily, the age at which smoking started, and the number of years of smoking. Individuals who smoke two or more packs a day develop lung cancer between 15 and 25 times as often as nonsmokers, though interestingly, precancerous lung tissue will repair itself if the individual quits smoking. Former smokers who have abstained for 15 years develop lung cancer only slightly more often than those who never smoked. The chemicals in cigarette smoke activate an enzyme that in turn produces carcinogens, making the development of cancer more likely among smokers. Smokers with clinical depression are more likely to develop lung cancer, possibly because depression diminishes the effectiveness of the immune system.
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