Why is Binge Drinking Bad for You?

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

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Drink to celebrate - in moderation

There is always a good reason to drink: parties, festive celebrations or watching a soccer game with your pals.

But when one drinks excessively, it is hardly a case for celebration.

Binge drinking refers to excessive consumption of alcohol over a short period of time. For a male adult, this is about five or more standard drinks, and for female, four or more standard drinks, in one drinking session. Binge drinking can bring with it both short-term and long-term harmful effects [1].

Alcohol dependence

A person who drinks frequently, or drinks a lot may become addicted to alcohol.

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 [2].

Studies have shown that for each additional year earlier than 21 that an individual began to drink, the greater the odds that he or she would develop alcohol dependence at some point in life [3].

Short-term harmful effects: Alcohol poisoning

Alcohol poisoning is the most life-threatening consequence of binge drinking. When a person drinks too much, his or her body 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.

Some other signs of alcohol poisoning include:

lack of muscular coordination
blurred or double vision
drop in body temperature
low blood sugar concentration
low blood pressure
impaired judgement
coma

If a person shows signs of alcohol poisoning, lay him on his side and call for immediate medical attention. Alcohol poisoning can be deadly [4].

Long-term harmful effects

Drinking alcohol excessively and frequently for a long period of time can cause harm to several parts of the body.

Brain damage

Adverse effects on memory function, concentration, reasoning, planning and visuo-spatial skills.
Growth of the brain structure is affected.
Abnormalities in some areas in the brain
Stroke

Diseases in digestive system

Peptic ulcer, an ulcer usually found in the small intestine
Gastritis
Stomach cancer

Heart problem

Heart muscle disorders
Heartbeat rhythm irregularities
High blood pressure

Kidney damage

Kidney's function in maintaining body fluids, leading to kidney enlargement

Liver disease

Liver function is affected
Development of fatty liver, which can lead to liver cirrhosis (scarring)
Alcoholic hepatitis (signs include swollen liver, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain, bleeding, jaundice)

Psychological problems

Mental health problems such as depression, anxiety and insomnia

Sexual and hormonal dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction
Lowering of testosterone concentrations
Sperm growth is affected
Lowered fertility in women
Altered hormonal levels in premenopausal women, which increases the risk of osteoporosis

Skeletal muscle damage

Skeletal muscle myopathy (reduction of muscle weight and lean tissue wasting)

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2021, https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/alcohol-use.htm Accessed 1 Feb 2022.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 2021, "Alcohol Use Disorder: A Comparison between DSM-4 and DSM-5", Accessed from: https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/alcohol-use-disorder-comparison-between-dsm on 1 Feb 2022.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, "Early Drinking Linked to Higher Lifetime Alcoholism", 2006. Accessed from: https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/early-drinking-linked-higher-lifetime-alcoholism-risk on 1 Feb 2022.
National Health Service, "Alcohol Poisoning", 2019. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/alcohol-poisoning/ Accessed 1 Feb 2022

This article was last reviewed on Friday, March 11, 2022

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Youth Preventive Dental ServiceYouth Preventive Dental Service (YPDS) provides oral health screening for pre-schoolers at some childcare centres as part of the Preschool Oral Health Screening and Fluoride Therapy Programme. Parents will be informed of the screening findings and recommended follow-up action through an "Information Sheet for Parents" that is downloadable from HealthHub. YPDS also provides free basic dental services to Primary and Secondary students through school dental clinics and mobile dental clinics. Annually, Primary 1, 2, 4 and 6, Secondary 1 and 3, and ITE Year 1 students who are enrolled in the school dental programme will be screened and treated by YPDS. Students in other levels who require dental services may visit the school or mobile dental clinics for free consultation and treatment.

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Catalog-Item Reuse

<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>


   </div><div>
      <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 refers to excessive consumption of alcohol over a short period of time. For a male adult, this is about five or more standard drinks, and for female, four or more standard drinks, in one drinking session. Binge drinking can bring with it both short-term and long-term harmful effects [1].
</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 [2].
</p><p>Studies have shown that for each additional year earlier than 21 that an individual began to drink, the greater the odds that he or she would develop alcohol dependence at some point in life [3].
</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 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 [4].</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>Celebrations can still be fun without alcohol. But if you drink to celebrate, know your limits and stick to them to avoid regrets.
</div></div></div><hr /><p>
   <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>
</li></ul><div><hr /><h2>References
</h2><ol><li><p>
         Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2021, <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/alcohol-use.htm" target="_blank">https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/alcohol-use.htm </a>Accessed 1 Feb 2022.</p></li><li><p>
         National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 2021, "Alcohol Use Disorder: A Comparison between DSM-4 and DSM-5", Accessed from:
         <a href="https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/alcohol-use-disorder-comparison-between-dsm" target="_blank">https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/alcohol-use-disorder-comparison-between-dsm</a> on 1 Feb 2022.
</p></li><li><p>National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, "Early Drinking Linked to Higher Lifetime Alcoholism", 2006. Accessed from:
         <a href="https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/early-drinking-linked-higher-lifetime-alcoholism-risk" target="_blank">https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/early-drinking-linked-higher-lifetime-alcoholism-risk</a> on 1 Feb 2022.</p></li><li><p>National Health Service, "Alcohol Poisoning", 2019.
         <a href="https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/alcohol-poisoning/" target="_blank">https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/alcohol-poisoning/</a> Accessed 1 Feb 2022
</p></li></ol><div>


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Wednesday, June 17, 2015

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