Pneumonia, lung abscess, emphysema and pulmonary tuberculosis are all common in alcoholics. During acute alcoholic intoxication, the drunk person usually vomits, the cough reflexes which are protective are paralysed. The vomitus thus easily pass to the lung causing pneumonia or lung abscess. Occasionally it may even cause suffocation and death. The ill effects of alcohol consumption on women deserves special mention.
Females are more vulnerable to alcohol-related cirrhosis than men.
During pregnancy alcohol consumption has a severe detrimental effect on the foetus. Foetal-alcohol syndrome is being recognised more and more in the medical profession. Skin diseases are also related to alcohol indulgence. Alcoholism is a disease Medical doctors have now turned liberal towards alcohol and call alcoholism a disease rather than an addiction. All its injunctions are aimed at preserving the natural state of man.