7 dangers of drugs to health

“There are various dangers of drugs for health that need to be watched out for. Among them, damage to the body's system, cardiovascular disease, to gastrointestinal problems."

Thedoctormedical , united states – People who use and are addicted to drugs often have one or more health problems. The dangers of drugs to health include lung disease, heart disease, stroke , cancer, and mental health conditions.

Through imaging tests, chest x-rays, and blood tests, it can be seen that long-term drug use can damage the entire body. For example, methamphetamine abuse can lead to severe dental problems or colic mouth.

Meanwhile, opioids can cause overdose and death. In addition, some drugs, such as inhalants, can damage nerve cells, both in the brain and peripheral nervous system.


The Danger of Drugs for Health to Watch Out for
Drug abuse can cause changes in brain chemistry. Furthermore, the substance is processed through many body systems potentially causing more widespread and potentially permanent damage.

Here are some of the dangers of drugs for health:

1. Damage to the immune system due to drugs

Types of drugs that are injected intravenously can carry a high risk of transmission of human immunodeficiency virus ( HIV ), hepatitis B and C, or bacterial infections due to unhygienic needles and syringes.

Some drugs, such as cocaine, directly impact the immune system's ability to make white blood cells, which reduce the immune response to infection.

2. Cardiovascular disease

Generally, substances contained in narcotic drugs can cause irregular heartbeats. Stimulant drugs, such as cocaine or methamphetamine, can cause death from an overdose resulting from a heart attack. People who abuse drugs are at a higher risk of experiencing this condition.

3. Drugs can cause gastrointestinal problems

Continuous use of opioid-type narcotics can damage the digestive system. Some digestive problems that can occur are stomach pain, indigestion , nausea, or vomiting.

In addition, cocaine and methamphetamine use can also cause some dangerous gastrointestinal problems. For example, mesenteric artery vasospasm, which can cause loss of blood supply between the heart and the gastrointestinal system.

The condition can also cause ischemic colitis. In severe cases, intestinal tissue death may occur, namely intestinal necrosis.

4. Respiratory problems are the dangers of drugs

Using drugs that are consumed by being smoked can damage the alveoli in the lungs. This makes the upper respiratory system more susceptible to infection. Opioids, for example, can slow breathing or make breathing shallow or irregular.

If a person experiences an overdose of opioids or other types of narcotics, hypoxia can occur which causes death. People who are addicted to drugs for a long time can also experience a lack of oxygen, which causes damage to other organ systems.

5. Drugs can cause liver damage

You need to understand, the liver is involved in metabolic processes. In addition, the liver is also the main site of detoxification for various types of substances consumed.

Imagine, if the liver is constantly facing the ingredients contained in narcotics, it can become overwhelmed in its metabolic tasks. In addition, organ tissue begins to break down.

6. Kidney damage

One of the jobs of the kidneys is to filter toxins from the bloodstream, so that they can be affected by many harmful substances in the blood. Some narcotics have also been linked to a condition known as rhabdomyolysis, which is the breakdown of muscle tissue that floods the blood with toxic levels of muscle cell contents.

These include the protein known as myoglobin. As a result, the kidneys become overwhelmed and unable to filter toxins efficiently.

The above conditions can result in progressive kidney damage, which has the potential to become kidney failure requiring dialysis. In addition, the additives in some illegal drugs can also clog the small blood vessels that supply blood to the kidneys after being injected. This can cause damage to the kidneys.

7. Neurological health problems due to drugs

When someone abuses drugs for a long time, the brain will adapt. That way, changes in brain chemistry are accompanied by physical dependence on substances in drugs.

In addition to physical dependence, consistent use of addictive substances can eventually lead to addiction and brain disorders. As addiction develops, the parts of the brain involved with several important functions can undergo changes.

These drugs can reduce the brain's excitatory signals. But at high enough doses, prolonged drug use can cause movement problems, cognitive impairment, and memory loss.

Drug addiction can get treatment. The sooner a person gets medical treatment, the less organ damage will occur.