How much alcohol should I drink? Spire doctor Norwich Hospital explains | Norfolk and Suffolk Lifestyle News

Dr. Martin Phillips, gastroenterologist consultant at Spire Norwich Hospital. Photo: contributed

Summer holidays, barbecues, hot weather and alcohol all seem to go together. The summer is generating a lot more opportunities for people to over indulge and consume more than the daily recommended alcohol limits. With an already dehydrated body, the consequences of excessive consumption of alcohol can be greater throughout the summer, so it is essential to consume alcohol in moderation.

Warmer weather can accelerate the effects of alcohol dehydration and alcohol consumption in hot weather can result in both heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Do not forget that this is not just a hangover that you need to worry about after drinking, but the long-term effects on your health can be significant.

There is no doubt that we have a major problem with alcohol in Canada. Hospital admissions due to alcoholic liver disease have doubled in the last 10 years. Deaths from alcoholic cirrhosis are also increasing rapidly.

Patients who succumb are younger than before and more often women. Unfortunately, recently, I treated a 24-year-old woman who died of alcohol-related health problems and a 19-year-old woman who went yellow due to liver failure caused by a advanced liver disease.

Fortunately, the vast majority of us are able to drink in moderation and in a socially acceptable manner. Recommendations not to exceed 3-4 units per day for men and 2-3 units per day for women (1 unit equals one-half pint of regular strength beer or normal-size normal strength wine glass ).

However, in England there are 14 million people who drink more than these recommendations suggest and who may put their health at risk as a direct result. This can result in a wide range of health problems ranging from high blood pressure, depression and anxiety disorders to heart, pancreatic or hepatic diseases and an increased risk of many cancers, including breast, breast cancer and breast cancer. stomach and intestines.

is taken in small quantities throughout the day. Indeed, the consumption of alcohol in conjunction with high intake of fruits and vegetables, can well explain the so-called "French paradox".

The French diet is considered very rich in fats, especially saturated fats, but the mortality rate from coronary heart disease remains relatively low. It is thought that this is partly due to the consumption of red wine.

Unfortunately, in the United Kingdom, drinking is more frequent. England has nearly six million excessive drinkers. The excessive consumption of alcohol is a concept largely created by the popular press and hard to define, but it is generally interpreted as meaning very heavy drinking sessions on Friday and Saturday nights by young men and women.

The level of alcohol consumption in a population is closely related to its availability and accessibility. In this country, alcohol is now more widely available than ever, with 24-hour shopping hours and extended license hours.

Although the price of alcohol increases with every budget, our income generally increases faster, which means that alcohol is relatively cheaper and more affordable than ever before. Because of these factors, alcohol consumption is increasing rapidly in Britain.

Alcohol consumption is associated with particular problems associated with acute severe intoxication. Most of us will recognize the different stages of drunkenness from happy and talkative, to speech confusion, poor coordination and vomiting.

At higher blood alcohol levels, the usual self-protection reflexes (such as the gag reflex) are lost and the person drifts into unconsciousness. At that time, the individual may die, especially if he inhales his own vomit, or he suffers from hypothermia when he is outside. .

There are many other dangers, including heart problems such as palpitations, head injuries and fractures as a result of falls, fights or accidents. In addition, in a large proportion of sexual assaults, serious crimes and murders at least one person involved is drunk.

Avoid drinking on an empty stomach – eating before or while you drink reduces the rate of alcohol absorption by the stomach. Be sure to tackle the obligatory barbecue hamburger or sausage before you start with alcohol. Barbecues that refuse to light and food that takes a little longer to cook than expected is a common danger of our summer gatherings.

If you start drinking too fast, too early and at a high rate, you put yourself in danger. Try to accept soft drinks between your alcoholic beverages and remember if you drive the effect of alcohol on a dehydrated body is larger.

Also, avoid drinking in circles as this can speed up the frequency of your alcohol consumption. It is probably helpful to think about how much you intend to drink before going out too, and stop drinking when you reach the number of drinks you have allowed.

Finally, if you are worried about having a drinking problem, talk to your general practitioner or community alcohol services available throughout the area … enjoy your summer safely!

The content of this page is provided for information only. It should not be considered a substitute for the professional medical advice of your doctor or other health professional.

For more information regarding consultant gastroenterologist Dr. Martin Phillips, visit www.spirehealthcare.com/norwich and click on his consultant profile.