Effects of alcohol on our health - daily health letters,relationship,health information,natural remedies,pregnancy symptoms

Friday, September 22, 2017

Effects of alcohol on our health


Enjoying alcohol in moderation is not just "not bad" for you, but it may have health benefits that could prolong your life. It is when people use alcohol as an escape route for social, personal or career pressures that abuse or alcoholism can result. Abuse of alcohol, or consumption of more alcohol than the body can handle, can lead to liver damage and other debilitating conditions.


A glass a day may do little damage to your overall health. But if the habit grows or if you find yourself having a hard time stopping after just one glass, the cumulative effects can add up.

Brain


Alcohol interferes with the brain’s communication pathways, and can affect the way the brain looks and works. These disruptions can change mood and behavior, and make it harder to think clearly and move with coordination. 

Cancers




Drinking alcohol is the second biggest risk factor for cancers of the mouth and throat (smoking is the biggest). People who develop cirrhosis of the liver (often caused by too much alcohol) can develop liver cancer.

Cardiovascular disease


Heavy drinking, especially bingeing, makes platelets more likely to clump together into blood clots, which can lead to heart attack or stroke. Drinking a lot over a long time or too much on a single occasion can damage the heart, causing problems including;



Cardiomyopathy – Stretching and drooping of heart muscle
Arrhythmias – Irregular heart beat
Stroke
High blood pressure

Pregnancy


Alcohol passes easily from the mother's bloodstream through the placenta and into the bloodstream of the fetus, which interferes with brain and organ development. Alcohol can affect the fetus at any stage during pregnancy, but the level of risk depends on the amount and frequency of alcohol consumed. Regular heavy drinking and binge drinking (four or more drinks on any one occasion) pose the greatest risk for harm, but lesser amounts can cause problems as well. There is no known safe amount or safe time to drink during pregnancy.

Liver




Excess drinking causes the liver to accumulate fat, which can lead to fatty liver disease. A liver that has become clogged with fat cannot perform at an efficient level, which affects the rest of the body. Fatty liver disease, (extremely common), can lead to inflammation of the liver, which is known as alcoholic hepatitis, (more common than you think).

Breast cancer




Drinking alcohol does not necessarily mean that you will get breast cancer – but it means your risk of developing it will be increased.  The likelihood of developing breast cancer is impacted upon by how much you drink over your lifetime, as well as other risk factors for the disease such as lifestyle, family history, medical history, reproductive history, hormone replacement therapy, obesity and exposure to cancer-causing compounds or carcinogens.



Also, you can read 


Three ways to drink less alcohol now 

You can keep your risk low by staying within the government’s recommended low risk guidance. Here are three ways to help you cut back:

      I.        Have several drink-free days a week. If you want to cut down, a great way is to have several drink-free days a week. Test out having a break for yourself and see what positive results you notice.

   II.        If necessary, ask for support to cut down. Tell friends and family that you’re trying to cut down on alcohol – they might be more supportive than you think. Be prepared to defend your decision to yourself by remembering the benefits that cutting down on alcohol should bring.



III.      Keep track of your units. Using our Unit and Calorie Calculator will make the calculations easier. Track and Calculate Units app to track your drinking over time.


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