Dangers of Alcohol and Introduction to Smoking
This page continues the discussion on alcohol, focusing on its long-term health effects, and introduces the topic of smoking and its harmful components. It provides crucial information about the harmful effects of tobacco and alcohol on various body systems.
The text outlines the dangers of prolonged alcohol consumption, including:
Highlight: Long-term alcohol use can cause stomach ulcers, heart disease, and brain and liver damage.
The page explains how the liver processes alcohol and the potential for liver damage (cirrhosis) in heavy drinkers. It also discusses the risks of drinking during pregnancy, including potential harm to the developing fetus.
Example: Drinking while pregnant can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, and babies with low birth weight or developmental issues.
The second half of the page introduces the harmful components of cigarette smoke:
Vocabulary:
- Nicotine: An addictive stimulant in tobacco
- Tar: A carcinogenic, sticky substance in smoke
- Carbon monoxide: A toxic gas that interferes with oxygen transport in the blood
- Particulates: Dust particles in tobacco smoke that damage lung cells
This information provides a foundation for understanding how drugs affect the brain and body, particularly focusing on the effects of drug abuse on the human nervous system.