Alcohol

Affects of Alcohol; A brief Overview

Facts About Alcohol

Alcohol use is very common in our society. Drinking alcohol has immediate effects that can increase the risk of many harmful health conditions. Excessive alcohol use, either in the form of heavy drinking (drinking more than two drinks per day on average for men or more than one drink per day on average for women), or binge drinking (drinking more than 4 drinks during a single occasion for men or more than 3 drinks during a single occasion for women), can lead to increased risk of health problems such as liver disease or unintentional injuries. According to national surveys, over half of the adult US population drank alcohol in the past 30 days. Approximately, 5% of the total population drank heavily while 15% of the population binge drank. Our national surveys previously defined binge drinking as more than 4 drinks for both men and women. In 2001, there were approximately 75,000 deaths attributable to excessive alcohol use. In fact, excessive alcohol use is the 3rd leading lifestyle-related cause of death for people in the United States each year.

Alcohol use poses additional problems for underage drinkers.

Then Despite our best intentions, once in a while we all consume a little more alcohol than we should. The result is that inevitable hangover and a false promise to yourself, "Never again."

Although there is no precise scientific definition, we all know it when we have it. In general, an alcohol hangover involves two or more the following symptoms: headache, nausea, diarrhea, lack of appetite, shakiness, feeling tired and an overall feeling of being unwell. Simply put, it feels like the "flu".

There are numerous changes in the balance of hormones, neurotransmitters and other biological substances in the body. This neurobiological imbalance leads not only to the symptoms described above, but also in a rapid heart rate and increased work load on the heart. The latter is responsible for increased cardiac mortality.

Alcohol hangovers are not just a nuisance, and their socio-economic impact is not insignificant. In the U.S. alone, the cost of alcohol use is a staggering $148 billion dollars each year, much of it due to work missed or decreased occupational productivity due to hangover.

Hangovers account for an average annual opportunity cost of $2000 per working adult. Contrary to popular misconception, light to moderate alcohol drinkers account for the most work related costs.

This is meant to be an informational exercise and NOT a medical consultation

Your doctor is the only one who can best assess your situation and offer you medical advice

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