Alcohol and your health - do you know the risks?

New research into the impact of alcohol consumption on health is published regularly, but one conclusion remains constant throughout: Excessive consumption is damaging. Drinking a moderate amount may have its upside, but those who develop alcohol dependence are faced with a myriad of potential problems.

The UK's Department of Health recommends a daily limit of two to three units for women and three to four units for men (a typical pint of lager contains just under four units, a 175ml glass of wine is just over two). Regularly exceeding these guidelines can have a range of consequences, both in the short and long term.

In terms of immediate effects, binge drinkers risk dizziness, being sick, headaches and a hangover that affects concentration. But over the long run, much more damaging problems can emerge.

The NHS blames alcohol abuse for 33,000 hospital admissions each year, as well as suggesting that 6,000 men die annually from coronary heart disease as a direct result of alcohol. Further complications include certain types of cancer - particularly breast cancer - brain damage, memory loss and increased risk of stroke, all of which may prompt those who realise they have a problem to seek alcoholism help.

If that is not enough, however, doctors warn that risks increase with age, with the body losing the ability to effectively process alcohol. Lower sperm count can affect men, while women may experience irregular periods and lower fertility.

Drinking during pregnancy, meanwhile, creates a host of problems of its own, with a baby's development placed in serious risk. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence recommends avoiding alcohol altogether during the first three months, as the risk of miscarriage can be increased by drinking.

Since the baby is unable to process alcohol - which reaches it through the placenta - as quickly as the mother, it is exposed to the substance for longer. In the first trimester, this can cause damage to developing organs, while later complications could include dulled mental abilities and a low birth weight. As such, the advice from the NHS is for expectant mothers to limit themselves to no more than one or two units of alcohol once or twice a week.

Charity Drinkaware has highlighted some of the problems that can arise as a result of alcohol dependence, with insomnia among them. It also pointed to the risk of pancreatitis, which typically manifests itself in the form of abdominal pain just behind the ribs and through to the back. Often caused by heavy drinking, it sees the cells of the pancreas become inflamed - affecting its ability to help with digestion.

Despite this and other risks, it is important to note that experts believe a moderate amount of alcohol may be good for the body. However, moderation is the key and those who are concerned that they are drinking too much are likely to benefit from alcoholism treatment to help them reduce their intake.