Alcohol use has been a part of human history since ancient times, serving as a means of celebration or solace. However, frequent use can lead to addiction and have negative effects on one's physical, mental, and financial well-being. The harmful impact of alcohol on the heart and liver is widely recognized, but many people are unaware of its effects on the musculoskeletal system. The primary health risk associated with alcohol consumption is the potential for a person to become inebriated and subsequently sustain injuries to their muscles and/or bones from falling. The by-products of alcohol metabolism in the body are toxic to the muscles and nervous system, which can lead to the breakdown of muscle tissue, resulting in acute or chronic alcoholic myopathy. This mostly affects the muscles of the pelvis and shoulders and causes problems in simple daily tasks or movements. It can also affect the muscles of various parts of the body deranging their function, including heart muscles, leading to heart failure. The severity of symptoms depends on the amount and periodicity of alcohol consumption, the type of alcohol used, the overall health status of the individual, and genetic factors as well. Alcohol slows down the process of the repair of muscle damage, by inhibiting the functions of hormones and neurochemicals that aid this process. The prevention of myopathy lies in abstaining from alcohol. Stopping alcohol use, in the early stages of myopathy can improve symptoms. In chronic muscle damage, stopping its use can help to regain some muscle strength. The skeletal system is also affected by alcohol use. The effects of alcohol on the skeletal system occur through both direct and indirect mechanisms. The overall effect of alcohol consumption has a negative effect on bone health. In case of any bone damage like injury, it delays recovery of the damage incurred. The health effects of alcohol abuse on bone health are still an area for continuing research. Incidences of traumatic injury, particularly orthopaedic injuries, are highly correlated with alcohol use. As age advances, the bones of individuals tend to become soft, a process called osteoporosis. Though there are many risk factors contributing to osteoporosis, excessive alcohol use is one established risk factor. When compared to non-alcohol users, alcohol users have an increased prevalence of osteopenia, i.e. loss of bone mineral density. Persons using alcohol from a very young age are at risk of having weak bones as adults. As such, women are more prone to osteoporosis due to social, familial, and hormonal factors, and alcohol augments the risk. Due to the softening of bones caused by alcohol, one may suffer from chronic joint pains and backache. The risk of pathological fracture is enhanced, i.e. breaking of bone without injury or with minimal injury. Similar to muscle damage, stopping alcohol use can reverse bone damage in the early stages. Chronic, long-standing damage can be slowed and stopped, after cessation of drinking alcohol. A healthy diet, adequate exposure to sunlight, regular physical exercise, and joint strengthening exercises, are measures that can even help to reverse the damage. However, persistent alcohol use aggravates the situation resulting in worsening bone pain. As it progresses, the person becomes debilitated, finding it difficult to do daily chores due to the pain. Apart from abstaining from alcohol, one should pay attention to diet. A diet rich in calcium, proteins, vitamin D, phosphorus, and magnesium, helps to conserve and recover strength of the bones and muscles, in case of damage. Fish, cheese and other milk products, nuts, green leafy vegetables, fortified flour, etc., are useful in this regard. Obesity should be prevented or if already present should be treated. Excess body weight puts a load on bones and muscles, aggravating pain and debility. Diabetes, if present, should be kept well controlled by diet and regular medication, because diabetes also reduces bone mass and causes damage to the microstructure of bone and is likely to aggravate any damage. The bones and muscles are very vital to the body as they form a framework for supporting the whole body. Hence, one should avoid any risks. Dr Rachna Pande is a specialist in internal medicine.
