Many of us enjoy an occasional glass of wine at dinner. However, if you consume large amounts of alcohol over the course of several years, you can be harming your body in ways you might not be able to imagine. So, as your vein health specialists, we’ve put together the following list of ways alcohol may beaffecting your health:

Cancer. Alcohol and cancer are very much connected. In fact, drinking lots of alcohol over a long period of time can increase your risk of cancer in the liver, breast, rectum, pancreas, as well as the pharynx. However, possibly the most closely associated cancers are those in the mouth, esophagus, and larynx.

Joins and muscles. Weakened joints is another effect of drinking excessively. Abusing alcohol triggers osteoporosis and certain types of arthritis. It can also lead to muscle atrophy, which can cause lots of pain and weakness in the body.

Blood. Too much alcohol is known to cause blood conditions, such as blood clotting and anemia. In addition, it can damage white blood cell function, which can heighten your risk of possible infections. And what’s worse is that liver cirrhosis, caused by excessive drinking, can also cause painful varicose veins.