Alcohol is often associated with celebrations. But too much alcohol can cause both short-term and long-term harmful effects and can cause death. This article shows you the other side of alcohol - something that doesn't call for a celebration
<div class="ExternalClass7DA660B73E8140169698BA73DE96B11E"><h2>Drink to celebrate - in moderation</h2><div>
<span style="line-height:1.6;">There is always a good reason to drink: parties, festive celebrations or watching a soccer game with your pals.</span></div><div>
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<span style="line-height:1.6;"></span>But when one drinks excessively, it is hardly a case for celebration.</div><div>
</div><div>Binge drinking, which refers to heavy drinking over a short period of time, can bring with it both short-term and long-term harmful effects.</div><div>
</div><div><h2> Alcohol dependence</h2><p> A person who drinks frequently, or drinks a lot may become addicted to alcohol.</p><p> Some signs of alcohol dependency include a strong urge to drink; the ability to drink larger quantities of alcohol without appearing intoxicated; persistent drinking; and undergoing withdrawal symptoms when trying to stop drinking.</p><p> Nearly 95 percent of all adults dependent on alcohol started drinking before the age of 21.</p><h2> Short-term harmful effects: Alcohol poisoning</h2><p> Alcohol poisoning is the most life-threatening consequence of binge drinking. When a person drinks too much, his or her body s reflexes are affected. These include breathing and the pharyngeal reflex. The pharyngeal reflex, also known as gag reflex, helps to prevent choking. If this reflex is not functioning well, one may die from choking on his or her vomit.</p><p> Some other signs of alcohol poisoning include:</p><ul><li> lack of muscular coordination</li><li> blurred or double vision</li><li> drop in body temperature</li><li> low blood sugar concentration</li><li> low blood pressure</li><li> impaired judgement</li><li> coma</li></ul><p> If a person shows signs of alcohol poisoning, lay him on his side and call for immediate medical attention. Alcohol poisoning can be deadly.</p><h2> Long-term harmful effects</h2><p> Drinking alcohol excessively and frequently for a long period of time can cause harm to several parts of the body.</p><h3>Brain damage
</h3><ul><li>Adverse effects on memory function, concentration, reasoning, planning and visuo-spatial skills.</li><li>Growth of the brain structure is affected.</li><li>Abnormalities in some areas in the brain</li><li>Stroke</li></ul><h3>Diseases in digestive system
</h3><ul><li>Peptic ulcer, an ulcer usually found in the small intestine
</li><li>Gastritis</li><li>Stomach cancer</li></ul><h3>Heart problem
</h3><ul><li>Heart muscle disorders</li><li>Heartbeat rhythm irregularities</li><li>High blood pressure</li></ul><h3>Kidney damage
</h3><ul><li>Kidney's function in maintaining body fluids, leading to kidney enlargement</li></ul><h3>Liver disease
</h3><ul><li>Liver function is affected</li><li>Development of fatty liver, which can lead to liver cirrhosis (scarring)</li><li>Alcoholic hepatitis (signs include swollen liver, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain, bleeding, jaundice)</li></ul><h3>Psychological problems
</h3><ul><li>Mental health problems such as depression, anxiety and insomnia</li></ul><h3>Sexual and hormonal dysfunction
</h3><ul><li>Erectile dysfunction</li><li>Lowering of testosterone concentrations</li><li>Sperm growth is affected</li><li>Lowered fertility in women</li><li>Altered hormonal levels in premenopausal women, which increases the risk of osteoporosis</li></ul><h3>Skeletal muscle damage
</h3><ul><li>Skeletal muscle myopathy (reduction of muscle weight and lean tissue wasting)</li></ul></div><div><h3>Other alcohol-related problems</h3><div><ul><li>
<strong>Accidents, injuries and high-risk behaviours: </strong>Drink driving accounts for a large proportion of those injured or killed in road traffic accidents. Also, alcohol abuse is associated with high-risk behaviours such as physical assaults and risky sexual behaviour.</li><li>
<strong>Pregnancy and/or child developmental problems: </strong>Prenatal exposure to high levels of alcohol has been associated with a range of developmental problems such as foetal alcohol syndrome, causing permanent birth defects.</li><li>
<strong>Lower participation and involvement in daily activities:</strong> Binge drinking and subsequent hangovers contribute to the loss of productivity and/or absenteeism.
</li></ul></div><div></div><div>Celebration can still be fun without alcohol. But if you drink to celebrate, know and stick to your limits so that you won't have any regrets later.
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<strong>Read these next:</strong></p><ul><li>
<a href="https://www.healthhub.sg/live-healthy/1319/watch-out-for-these-chronic-complications-of-diabetes" title="Excessive Alcohol Intake: When You Have One Too Many for the Road">Excessive Alcohol Intake: When You Have One Too Many for the Road</a>
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Wednesday, June 17, 2015
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
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Why is Binge Drinking Bad for You?
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ICD-5-Mental Behavioral, ICD-9-Circulatory, ICD-11-Digestive, PGM_Obesity Prevention, PGM_Substance Abuse, AGE_Teens, AGE_Young Adult, AGE_Adult, AGE_Senior, INTEREST_Food ＆ Nutrition, INTEREST_Mind ＆ Balance