The harmful effects of alcoholism

Thong Nhat General Hospital has just received a male patient, KM (44 years old, residing in Lam Dong province), who was transferred from Dinh Quan Regional General Hospital in a state of severe abdominal pain, nausea and respiratory failure. The patient was diagnosed with severe acute pancreatitis due to alcoholism - a dangerous complication commonly found in people who use alcohol for a long time.

Patient M. is being treated at Thong Nhat General Hospital. Photo: An Yen

Accordingly, the patient had a history of drinking alcohol for many years, consuming an average of about 1 liter of alcohol per day, while his life was precarious, he had no stable job, and the livelihood of 4 people in the family depended on his 20-year-old son who was working as a laborer. Before being hospitalized, the patient started having dull pain in the epigastric region, colic pain around the navel, accompanied by nausea and vomiting, then the condition became increasingly severe, leading to multiple organ failure.

Through examination, CT scan and tests, the doctor determined that the patient had severe acute pancreatitis, damage to the liver, kidneys and respiratory system. The patient was treated intensively with intravenous fluids, pain relievers, antibiotics, anti-emetics and oxygen. Although continuous blood filtration was prescribed, the patient refused. Currently, the patient's condition has shown signs of improvement, but the patient still has a fever and should be closely monitored due to the high risk of complications.

Dr. Mai Viet Bac, Deputy Head of the Department of Intensive Care and Anti-Poisoning, Thong Nhat General Hospital, said that alcoholism is the leading cause of acute pancreatitis. In addition, alcohol also causes many other consequences such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, gastrointestinal bleeding, mental disorders and nerve damage.

“We regularly receive cases of alcohol-related illnesses, from acute to chronic symptoms. Patients often suffer not only organ damage, but also a complete physical and mental breakdown. In particular, when dependent on alcohol, patients can fall into withdrawal syndrome, hand tremors, excitement, and even paranoia due to damage to the nervous system. Therefore, to ensure health and economy , people need to limit alcohol consumption, eat healthily, and avoid stimulants,” Dr. Bac noted.

Peace

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/dong-nai-cuoi-tuan/202507/tac-hai-cua-nghien-ruou-a5f3583/