title: [Alcoholism, an addiction leading to multiple somatic complications].
abstract: Alcoholism is, after smoking, the most common addiction in our society. It is associated with multiple familial, social and professional negative consequences. In addition, alcohol disturbs cellular metabolism and its excessive chronic consumption may lead to multiple dysfunctions that can provoke somatic complications targeting numerous tissues or organs. The present article describes the most important ones involving the liver, the digestive tract, the heart, both the central and peripheral nervous system, and bone marrow. We also discuss the metabolic disturbances associated with chronic alcohol consumption, among which those affecting glucose regulation, lipid profile, uric acid and various vitamins. Finally, we describe the nutritional deficiencies that may be observed in alcoholic people and may contribute to aggravate somatic complications.
authors.affiliation: Service de Diabetologie, Nutrition et Maladies metaboliques, CHU de Liege, Belgique. Nicolas.Paquot@chu.ulg.ac.be
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Paquot
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: De Flines
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Scheen
mesh_terms: D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications*; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000139:chemically induced; D009202:Cardiomyopathies / Q000139:chemically induced; D004066:Digestive System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D006073:Gout / Q000139:chemically induced; D006402:Hematologic Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D008108:Liver Diseases, Alcoholic / Q000209:etiology; D008659:Metabolic Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D009752:Nutritional Status