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Showing posts from April, 2018

What is an alcoholic? How to treat alcoholism

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Alcoholic' is a term used to describe someone who suffers from alcoholism - they often have a physical and/or psychological desire to consume alcohol beyond their capacity to control it, regardless of how it affects their life. According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), in 2015, 15.1 million American adults (6.2 percent of the population) had an alcohol use problem. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), globally, 3.3 million deaths every year result from harmful use of alcohol. Definition Alcoholism is a term for long-term addiction to alcohol. Alcoholics Anonymous U.K. , do not have a formal definition for alcoholism, but say it may be described as a physical compulsion, together with a mental obsession. They say that, apart from having an enormous craving for alcohol, an alcoholic often gives in to the craving at the worst possible times. The alcoholic knows neither when nor how to stop drinking. Definition - an alcoholic

How the body processes alcohol

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A big concern that many people have is how long the alcohol they have been drinking will remain in their system. There are a lot of factors that can affect this but, on average, the liver can process 1 ounce of alcohol every hour, and it can be detected in the blood for several hours, and in the urine for several days. The following is information on how the body processes alcohol and the different factors that can affect that process. Alcohol enters the bloodstream through the stomach. In general, the liver can process up to an ounce of alcohol every hour. The effects of alcohol come from its presence in the blood and body tissues. Alcohol can be detected in the blood, urine and even on the breath. How does the body process alcohol?   The effects of a high blood alcohol concentration may include impaired memory, confusion, slurred speech, and nausea. Around 20 percent of the alcohol a person drinks is absorbed rapidly into the bloodstream through the stomach. A further 8

Ten health risks of chronic heavy drinking

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Frequently drinking too much alcohol is harmful to health. Alcohol can have an impact on every body system. How much alcohol a person drinks, genetic factors, gender, body mass, and general state of health all influence how a person's health responds to chronic heavy drinking. However, studies consistently show that, overall, heavy alcohol consumption is detrimental to health and a leading preventable cause of death. When the body takes in more alcohol than it can metabolize, the excess builds up in the bloodstream. The heart circulates the blood alcohol throughout the body, leading to changes in chemistry and normal body functions. Even a single binge-drinking episode can result in significant bodily impairment, damage, or death. Over time, excessive alcohol use can lead to the development of many chronic diseases and other serious health problems. Alcohol has been found to contribute to at least 60 different health conditions. Let's look at the ten most c

What effects does alcohol have on health?

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Alcohol is the intoxicating ingredient that is present in wine, beer, and spirits. It is a depressant, which means that when it reaches the brain, it slows down the body's systems. It can also be difficult for the body to process, putting extra pressure on the liver, the digestive system, the cardiovascular system, and other functions. Alcohol is a legal recreational substance for adults and one of the most commonly used drugs in the United States. People consume alcohol to socialize, to relax, and to celebrate. It is commonly misused among individuals of all ages, resulting in significant health, legal, and socio-economic damage. In 2017, around half of all Americans aged over 18 years had consumed alcohol in the last month. Just over 9 percent of those aged 12 to 17 years had done so. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 15.1 million people aged 18 years and over in the U.S. had alcohol use disorder (AUD), or 6.2 percent of this age gr

What's to know about alcoholic liver disease?

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Alcoholic liver disease is a result of overconsuming alcohol that damages the liver, leading to a buildup of fats, inflammation, and scarring. It can be fatal. The condition is a primary cause of chronic liver disease in Western nations. The liver is one of the most complex organs in the human body, with over 500 functions. These include filtering out blood toxins, storing energy, making hormones and proteins, and regulating cholesterol and blood sugar. Liver damage can affect the whole body. Once damage begins, it can take a long time to become noticeable, as the liver is generally highly effective at regenerating and repairing itself. Often, by the time the damage is found, it is irreversible. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2014 the number of deaths from alcoholic liver disease in the United States was 19,388, while all causes of chronic liver disease and cirrhosis are estimated to lead to 12 fatalities per 100,000 people per ye

Health benefits and risks of drinking coffee

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A cup of coffee in the morning may provide more than just an energy boost. Health benefits, say some researchers, may range from helping prevent diabetes to lowering the risk of liver disease. With over 400 billion cups of coffee thought to be consumed every year, coffee is one of the world's most popular drinks. But is it really healthful, or are there also risks? Benefits The potential health benefits associated with drinking coffee include protecting against type 2 diabetes , Parkinson's disease , liver disease, liver cancer , and promoting a healthy heart. 3 1) Coffee and diabetes Coffee may help protect against type 2 diabetes. Researchers at UCLA identified that drinking coffee increases plasma levels of the protein sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). SHBG controls the biological activity of the body's sex hormones ( testosterone and estrogen ) which play a role in the development of type 2 diabetes. 4 Dr. Simin Liu, one of t